Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles, Romanesque monastery in Les Valls de Valira, Spain
Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles is a Romanesque monastery in the Valls de Valira region featuring a T-shaped basilica with three apses. The building retains sections of its original nave and transept, reflecting its medieval architectural design.
The monastery was founded in 701 and received special rights from Pope Urban II in 1099. It maintained its authority until the 1300s when its influence began to decline.
This place was a hub for religious learning in medieval times and shaped the spiritual life of surrounding communities. People gathered here to study and participate in monastic life.
Visitors should know the monastery underwent restoration work in 1971, which means some original elements are no longer on site. Original carved capitals are now held in museum collections in Barcelona and North America.
The monastery has an unusual architectural feature: an apse positioned on the west side of the building, which is rare in churches. This design shows the strong Carolingian architectural tradition reflected in its triple apse arrangement.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
