Sant Pere de Casserres, Romanesque monastery in Les Masies de Roda, Spain
Sant Pere de Casserres is a Benedictine monastery in Les Masies de Roda, built on a rocky promontory above the Ter River, with a church of three naves covered by barrel vaults. The naves rest on double-cruciform pillars, and the outer walls display the blind arcading typical of Lombard Romanesque decoration.
Viscountess Ermetruit purchased the land in 1001 to found a religious community, and construction of the monastery followed shortly after under Benedictine rule. The community grew through the medieval period before the monastery was eventually abandoned and later restored in the 20th century.
The column capitals inside Sant Pere de Casserres carry carved geometric patterns that date back to the original construction period. Visitors walking through the nave can see how carefully the stone was worked, even in the less visible parts of the building.
The monastery is open to visitors on specific days, so it is worth checking the schedule before making the trip. The path leading up to the site passes through open terrain, and comfortable footwear is a good idea regardless of the season.
Before the monastery was built, the rocky promontory served as a necropolis, suggesting the site was considered a significant place long before the monks arrived. The decision to build there likely followed an existing local tradition of treating the spot as sacred ground.
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