Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, a work from the 10th century
A large-scale monastic complex with an equally complex history. With its successive alterations and extensions, the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is a marvel of Catalan Romanesque architecture. A place that cannot leave anyone indifferent, both for its beauty and for the land in which it has its roots in the north of the province of Girona.
Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery with the Costa Brava in the background. | Shutterstock
A complex history, like that which usually goes with the country’s great religious monuments. For this reason, it is not easy to know exactly when the Monastery of Sant Pere was built. The first references to this immense temple date back to 878, but it was not until 945 that it was recognised as an independent Benedictine abbey. Extensions and repairs were carried out throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, during which time the place acquired its characteristic Lombard silhouette.
Interior courtyard of the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery. | Shutterstock
From the cells of the monastery you can see the beautiful views where the eye catches glimpses of the winding Costa Brava. A privileged vantage point from which to enjoy the Bay of Llansá and Port de la Selva, to the north of the Cap de Creus natural park. From a distance, and also from the inside, the bell tower and the defensive tower are striking. Two guardians that welcome the visitor with their strong, perfectly assembled stone walls.
Aerial view of Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery. | shutterstock
It was in the 17th century that the monastery began to decline and was finally abandoned by the Benedictines in 1793. Even so, as early as 1345, the Black Death ravaged the temple, taking the lives of 24 monks. Fear of corsair attacks, lack of donations and the isolation of the site did their part. Despite the vicissitudes, the restorations carried out on the site during the 20th century restored dignity to this marvel of Catalan Romanesque architecture.
