Sant Pere de Rodes
Sant Pere de Rodes is a 878 the first time documentary mentioned former Benedictine monastery. It is located in Spain in the Catalan province of Girona, in today's Natural Park of Cap de Creus, within the municipality of El Port de la Selva.
History
Foundation
The circumstances of the foundation are unknown. According to legend, in the 6th century monks fled in the face of the Germanic threat from Rome on the Catalan coast., They had the relics of St. Peter taken in order to bring them in this way to safety. Pope Boniface IV ( 608-615 ) have given them the contract to build a monastery on the spot.
In fact, during excavations foundations of a building from the 6th century, the function of which is not known to have been found. The first written mention dates from the year 878, when two abbeys made claims on the local " cella " claims. Only 945 for an independent Benedictine abbey is proved under the direction of an abbot.
Heyday in the 11th and 12th centuries
The heyday of the monastery was in the 11th and 12th centuries. During this time, the present church was built. The only known consecration date from the year 1022, probably referring only to the choir room. Due to the numerous pilgrims and overrides lands the prestige and wealth of the abbey grew. Important artists - such as the Master of Cabestany - were charged with beautification works. Still shows the small size of the refectory, that probably lived in the abbey never more than 20 monks.
Decline, today's restoration
The decline began in the 14th century. Problems within the Order were attacks from the outside. Due to the exposed position high above the sea, the abbey was repeatedly exposed to attacks and looting.
1798 gave the Benedictine monastry finally up and moved to Figueres to. 1835 was the final end of the monastic community. The monastery fell into disrepair, as is the church of Santa Helena de Rodes Located not far from the monastery.
In 1930 it was declared a national monument. Five years later, the first restoration work that has been stepped up considerably between 1989 and 1999 began.
Buildings
The monastery church was probably completed in the mid 11th century. Today's ruin shows much of the original construction. Different style elements come together: the high curvature to mimic classical models of the Romans. The mutually superposed columns - some of them are spolia - show that the builders were familiar with the Arab architecture in Andalusia. The model can be found in the Mezquita of Cordoba. Also the excellent capital - art points in this direction.
The ambulatory, however, mimics French models; he is in the Spanish Romanesque otherwise unusual. He allowed the pilgrims to approach the relics in the back of the church, during the services of the monks.
The cloister is two storeys. The lower, more primitive part was only discovered in 1989 during excavations. He was filled in and built over in the 12th century, emerged as the desire for a more representative system with the increased prosperity of the abbey. The columns and capitals this younger cloister were robbed in later times. Only in 1997, the reconstructions were completed.
The towers are Lombard. The Church is not so clear-cut " Roman " as the slightly older church in Ripoll. It is an expression of your own self- consciousness. The well-traveled architect and client to their church put together on their own terms.
Today, the entire system, which also includes other chapels, farm buildings and a tower are impressed by their good state of preservation and its remote location high above the sea.
Trivia
The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is located on Camino Catalan, the Catalan stretch of the Camino de Santiago.
Gallery
Cloister
Lombardi shear Tower
Prominent location in the Natural Park Cap de Creus
Floor plan ( church and cloister )