The churches and monasteries of the Pla de l’Estany and La Garrotxa | Cultural Heritage. Goverment of Catalonia.

Getaways

Route map

The churches and monasteries of the Pla de l’Estany and La Garrotxa

A route on the Sacred Catalonia trail
This Sacred Catalonia trail will take you to the mountainous hinterland of the diocese of Girona with its combination of large parishes, urban convents and extensive valleys with their little villages and disperse habitats.
 
MONASTERY OF SANT ESTEVE DE BANYOLES
 
The route starts at the Benedictine monastery of Sant Esteve de Banyoles which, founded in the 9th century, acquired great importance in the area, with other monasteries, such as that of Sant Pere de Rodes, becoming dependent on it. It still conserves authentic works of art.
 
SANTA MARIA DE PORQUERES
 
A ten-minute drive will take you to the church of Santa Maria de Porqueres, a fine example of Romanesque architecture. It is a very sober building but displays decorative sculptural motifs of great interest.

MONASTERY OF SANT PERE
 
Once in Besalú visit the Romanesque church of Sant Pere de Besalú, consecrated 1003. It is all that is left of a former monastery that achieved great importance in the 12th and 13th centuries.

SANT VICENÇ DE BESALÚ

Located in the historic centre of Besalú, the church of Sant Vicenç is one of the town's oldest and most important religious buildings. It contains a fragment of the True Cross.
 
SANT SEPULCRE DE PALERA
 
Another ten-minute drive will lead you to the route's last location: Sant Sepulcre de Palera, one of the finest examples of the Romanesque in the county of Besalú, and a major centre of pilgrimage during the 11th and 12th centuries.


The Sacred Catalonia trail is intended for groups and takes 6 hours. For more information please ring 693 720 202 or send an email to: reserves@cataloniasacra.cat.


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