Santa Maria de Roses, Benedictine monastery in Roses, Spain
Santa Maria de Roses is a Benedictine monastery within the Ciutadella de Roses fortress, featuring a basilica with three naves, a transept, and three apses. The remains of a cloister are also preserved within this fortified complex.
The monastery was founded on January 17, 901, and received protection from Count Gausfred I of Ampurias in 960. By 976, it also gained fishing rights in local waters.
The monastery shows how Lombard architectural methods were adopted early in Spain, clearly visible in its Romanesque design elements. This building style shaped religious architecture across the region.
Access is through the fortified Cittadella, where visitors can explore the preserved structures. Guided tours run throughout the year to help you understand the site fully.
Napoleon's troops destroyed the monastery in 1793 after monks abandoned it in 1792. Major restoration work took place between 1966 and 1969.
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