Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery

Perched on the slopes of the Sierra de Rodes at 520 metres above sea level, Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery is one of the most impressive monastic complexes in Catalonia and the entire western Mediterranean. Its privileged location, with panoramic views over Cap de Creus, the bay of Llançà and — on clear days — as far as Mount Canigó, turns the visit into an experience that goes far beyond the purely architectural.

Founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks, the monastery reached its peak between the 11th and 12th centuries, when it became an important pilgrimage centre. Its three-nave Romanesque church with carved columns of Lombard and Corinthian influence is an architectural gem unique in Europe. Sacked and abandoned in the 18th century, it was declared a National Monument in 1930 and has been carefully restored to recover its original grandeur.

Today, visiting Sant Pere de Rodes means immersing yourself in a thousand-year-old silence with one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Costa Brava at your feet. The monastery lies within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, so the trip can be combined with hiking, a visit to Sant Salvador Castle (a 20-minute walk to the hilltop) or a drive down to the villages of El Port de la Selva or Cadaqués.