Sant Pere de Rodes, Benedictine monastery in El Port de la Selva, Spain.
Sant Pere de Rodes is a former Benedictine monastery situated on Verdera Mountain overlooking El Port de la Selva, featuring a three-nave church with barrel vaults and two flanking towers. The complex spreads across the mountaintop at about 520 meters elevation and includes monastic quarters, auxiliary buildings, and defensive structures.
The site was first documented in 878 as a small monastic cell. By the early 10th century, it had grown into an independent abbey that expanded in influence throughout the Middle Ages.
The church displays exceptional Romanesque features such as decorated capitals and intricate stone carvings. These details reflect the craftsmanship that monks brought to shaping their sacred space.
The site sits high on a mountain, so reaching it involves a steep climb that requires stamina and sturdy footwear. Arriving early allows time to explore at a comfortable pace without rushing.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered structures from the 6th century beneath the current buildings. These older remains show that the mountaintop served as a meaningful place long before the monastery was established.
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