Sant Pere de Besalú and Sant Vicenç de Besalú are two Romanesque churches of great historical and architectural interest; they are located in the historical centre of the countship of Besalú.
The Sant Pere Monastery was founded in 977 by the Bishop-Count Miró I consecrated in 1003 by Count Bernard I, also known as Taillefer. A Benedictine community made up of twelve monks lived there. However, with the death of Count Taillefer, in 1020, the decline of the countship rule began culminating in 1111 with its final disappearance. From then on, the monastery’s Abbot became the highest authority over the population, which gave the church great political influence during the 12th and 13th centuries
This church has the peculiarity of having an ambulatory, a corridor for the exclusive use of the pilgrims in the medieval period, which had the objective of facilitating the movement of the worshipers inside the churches, without having to interrupt any celebrations that were being held at the same time. At this time, the pilgrimage to the town was very important, which is why that very close to the monastery was the old hospital of Sant Julià where the pilgrims lodged. On the ambulatory’s columns there are eight capitals decorated with biblical scenes.
With regards to the church of Sant Vicenç, it’s possible that this was the first church to be built in the municipality, as it’s cited among the donations that Count-Bishop Miró made to the Sant Genís i Sant Miquel monastery in 977.
The church has a basilica floor plan with three naves, a crossing and three semicircular apses. The central nave is higher than the sides and has a slightly pointed barrel-vaulted ceiling. In contrast, the side naves have quarter-circle vaults. The main façade of the church stands out with a stained-glass Gothic window and a rose window above it. On one of the side walls you can see the imposing, and very well preserved, Romanesque St Raphael portal. Inside, it houses the Gothic tomb of Pere de Rovira, who brought the relics of the martyr St Vicent in the 15th century.
MORE INFORMATION
NEARBY ROUTES
- To the Old Fortress of the Counts of Besalú: Dosquers
- GR 2
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