Sant Pau del Camp, Romanesque monastery in El Raval, Spain.
Sant Pau del Camp is a monastery with a cross-shaped church, three apses, and thick stone walls built in Romanesque style. The building displays typical Lombard architectural features and houses a cloister with carved stone capitals.
The monastery was founded in the 9th century and suffered severe attacks in 985 by troops under Almanzor, which left it in ruins. Reconstruction began in 1096, making this one of the oldest surviving structures in the area.
The cloister features carved capitals showing biblical scenes and geometric designs that reflect the skills of medieval stoneworkers in the area. These carvings tell stories that visitors notice while walking through the covered walkways.
Visitors can enter the monastery on most days during various hours and should watch for uneven ground and narrow passages when exploring inside. It is helpful to wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the site involves walking on stone floors.
The monastery contains the burial slab of Count Guifré II Borrell from 911 and ranks among Barcelona's oldest surviving religious structures. This burial marker is a rare testimony to early medieval nobility from a thousand years ago.
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