Logbook · 16 places

Church of Sant Pere de Besalú

Besalú, Garrotxa, Girona

1 Villages · 11 Monuments · 1 Activities · 2 Historical milestones · 1 Food and drink

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Church of Sant Pere de Besalú

Monument · Besalú, Garrotxa, Girona

Sant Pere de Besalú is a monastery in the historic centre of Besalú (Girona), declared a Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional (Spain's highest level of heritage protection) since 1931. Of the former Benedictine monastery only the church remains, with a basilical plan of three naves separated by square pillars, a transept, and a large central apse surrounded by an ambulatory with capitals carved with plant motifs and human figures, of North Italian influence. It was founded in 977 by the Count of Besalú and Bishop of Girona Miró Bonfill, and its church was consecrated in 1003; the present building is a rebuilding from 1060. It experienced its greatest expansion in the 12th and 13th centuries, when it became part of the county of Barcelona, and went into decline in the 15th century due to the Remença war, earthquakes, and lawsuits with the Bishop of Girona.

Photo: michelglaurent (CC BY-SA 3.0)

What to see and do in Besalú