Sant Pere de Rodes

The origin of Sant Pere de Rodes is not known. A local legend tells it was founded by monks, after they escaped the Barbarian invasion of Rome with the relics of Saint Peter within the 6th century. A first documentation of the place dates 878, when it was mentioned as a "cella", so at that time this may have been something like a hermitage. From 945 on it was an independent Benedictine abbey.

During the 11th and 12th century, the abbey was a point of pilgrimage and was flourishing. Most buildings still seen date back to that time.

The downturn started soon after. Finally in 1798 the abbey was given up by the Order of Saint Benedict. The buildings were in a very bad stage in within a few decades they were in ruins.

A "National Monument" since 1930, and throughly renovated, it is meanwhile a main tourist attraction on the coast.

Only a few carvings can be seen in Sant Pere de Rodes (aside from the copies of the works of Maitre de Cabestany), but even they might be "restaurated".

The two capitals seen on the previous photos are very complex, compared to this mermaid, holding her two skinny tails.