Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery

The majestic Benedictine monastery of San Pedro de Rodas is located on the northern slopes of the Verdera mountain in the Serra de Rodes range, about 520 meters above sea level. Its dominant position gives the visitor an exceptional view over the Costa Brava, from the Creus Cape to the french border.

Considered a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, the complex is built on terraces and includes buildings from different periods. Although documented from the 9th century, the monastery only from 945 is considered an independent Benedictine abbey, reaching its maximum splendor between the 11th and 12th centuries and becoming a center of pilgrimage of the time. Since 1993 the monument has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest.

Highlights

✔ The church, in Romanesque style influenced by the architecture late Roman, is the maximum exponent of the architectonic ensemble. It has a Latin cross plant with three naves with barrel vault, crossing and three apses. The central nave is splendid and ample in size. A outstanding feature of the church is the great difference of height between the central nave and the lateral ones and the extraordinary sculptural decoration of its capitals. Under the apse is located the crypt.
✔ The 12th century cloister, the central part of the complex. Around it are distributed the rest of constructions.
✔ The squared bell tower, from the 11th - 12th century, located on the western facade of the monastery. It is in Romanesque Lombard style with three floors of windows. It reaches 27 meters in height.
✔ The keep, built in the 10th century and renovated in the 14th century.
✔ The remains of the abbey palace.