Santa Helena de Rohola, Medieval church in El Port de la Selva, Spain
Santa Helena de Rohola is a small chapel situated on elevated ground near El Port de la Selva's coastline, with a Latin cross floor plan and a rounded apse at its eastern end. The building features distinctive horseshoe-shaped window openings and shows clear evidence of multiple construction phases over the centuries.
The chapel originated in the ninth century and first appeared in a written record from 974 confirming ownership by a nearby monastery. Religious use continued at the site for over a millennium before becoming inactive in the late modern period.
The building shows architectural features from different construction periods layered into its walls and structures. Visitors can see how each era left its mark through changes in the stonework and window designs.
The site sits near the western parking area of the adjacent monastery complex and is straightforward to reach on foot. It works well as part of a larger visit to explore related religious buildings and ruins in the surrounding hills.
The bell tower fell victim to destruction by corsair raids in 1330, illustrating the vulnerability of this coastal area to maritime attacks. Despite this damage, the chapel continued to serve its community and remained active for several more centuries afterward.
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