Contents of article "Sant Pere de Rodes "
Sant Pere de Rodes
Sant Pere de Rodes
Situated in North Eastern Catalonia, in the province of Girona, the Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is an important former monastery, constructed in the side of the Verdera mountain. The views from the monastry are superb, stretching over the bay of Llançà, from Cerbère in France to the Cap de Creus. Constructed by the Bendictines between 979 and 1022, the monastery was sacked and abandoned in the eighteenth century and its most important treasure, an illustrated bible, is now in the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris.
The first official mention of the monastery originates from the year 878 although a pot pourri of legend surrounds its creation. Some say that in 600 AC, Christians returning from Rome were stranded in the bay and took this as a sign from God to build a monastery in that spot. Others say that when Rome was threatened by Barbarians, Pope Boniface IV ordered the Church’s most powerful relics - including the head and right arm of St. Peter - to be hidden. They were brought to this remote Cape for safe-keeping and hidden in a cave, though when the danger had passed the relics couldn’t be found. A monastery was duly built on the site and dedicated to St. Peter (Pere in Catalan).
Whatever you chose to believe, there is no doubt that the views are breathtaking. Walkers can reach the monastery via the GR10, from the campsite at Port de la Selva (approx 2hrs there and back) but there is access by car to within 10mins of Sant Pere de Rodes
Tourist Info
Millau viaduct
