Ripoll - Monastery of Santa Maria

Wilfred the Hairy (aka Guifré el Pilós), whom we just "met" as the founder of the nearby monastery in Sant Joan de les Abadesses, where his daughter Emma of Barcelona was the first abbess, founded the Monastery of Santa Maria in Ripoll in 879. Here his son Radulf de Barcelona was abbot. This was not only Wilfred´s family business, he was very successful in the political power game of that time.

The first church was consecrated in 888, but as the monastery grew it was "reconsecrated" in 935, 977, and 1032. When Oliba de Besalú, as well a descendent of Wilfred, was abbot here (1008 - 1046), this was a cultural center. More than 250 books were on the shelves of the monastery´s library.

The decline started within the 15th century. In 1428 it was severely damaged by an earthquake, the restoration was done in Gothic style.

The church got ruined during the first Carlist War, the library burnt down, and the last monks had left. In 1847 part of the cloister and soon after, the abbot´s palace got demolished.

The Bishop of Vic organized the rebuilding so that the church got consecrated again in 1893. The church of today is vastly a product of the reconstruction of the 19th century, but it may be "near" to the romanesque structure.

Over the centuries, the carvings weathered - and got vandalized. The result can be seen in the more detailed shots.

Four of the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse.

These elders are a common icon found around Europe. They usually hold instruments and sometimes (because of the smell of the rising from the tombs) perfume bottles.