How to visit and what to see in Sant Pere Rodes monastery (Costa Brava): schedules, prices

As passionate as I am (not for too long) about romanesque architecture, I didn't want to miss the opportunity of one of my most recent trips to the Costa Brava de Catalonia, para conocer alguno de los monumentos de dicho estilo arquitectónico.

Indeed, in the Girona province There are various examples of the Romanesque, and along with beautiful towns such as in peratalla o Calella de Palafrugell, or with Costa Brava music festivals They formed an irresistible triumvirate to make the trip.

On previous visits to Besalú y Castello d´Empúries I already had the opportunity to see good examples, but when I asked about a monastery or Romanesque church that I really shouldn't miss, the answer was very clear: the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes.

And without a doubt it was a success to visit it.

Sant Pere de Rodes It is more than a church or a monastery, it is a monumental complex in a truly surprising location.

Where is Sant Pere de Rodes

Located at the top of a mountain slope, from the monastery you can see the coastal area of ​​the Llansá Bay y Port of the Jungle, north of the natural park of Cabo de Creus.

Since to access the monumental site once you have parked your car you must take a walk along a path, this will allow you to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from this area of ​​the coast.

Furthermore, as you approach the monastery you will have different perspectives of it and of said location.

Al monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes You can get there easily by going up from the coastal enclave of Port of the Jungle, or from the inside.

Due to its orientation, and in order to take good photographs of the monumental complex and the landscape that surrounds it, the first option is ideal in the morning and the second, at dusk.

Curiosities about the history of Sant Pere de Rodes

The history of this majestic romanesque monastery It has a certain aura of mystery.

In fact, it is not known why a Benedictine monastery in the middle of the 10th century.

Recent excavations after 1990 show the appearance of various reliquaries, which confirms the idea that their origins lie in the arrival of monks who landed in the area carrying remains of San Pedro and other saints.

The truth is that the monastery reached its greatest splendor between the 11th and 12th centuries.

It was in the 1793th century when it began its decline, being finally abandoned by the Benedictines in XNUMX.

Now when you come to visit it you will find the remains of the monastic complex, very well preserved after an important restoration and its preparation for visits.

In this way you will be able to visit various corners and rooms and thus get an idea of ​​the importance it undoubtedly had in other times.

What to see when visiting Sant Pere de Rodes

As soon as you enter the monumental complex in front of you you will have the bell tower of the 12th century, and in parallel, the defensive tower from the 10th century.

Following the order of the visit, you will visit the various rooms that are on different levels given the location of the monastery on the mountainside.

Soon you will reach a viewpoint in front of the restaurant opened for visitors.

From this viewpoint you will have the best panoramic views of the Llansá Bay.

The heart of the monastery is the small cloister in which you will barely be able to see any columns with their capitals rehabilitated.

But perhaps the most prominent corner of the monastery of San Pere de Rodes is iglesia from the beginning of the 11th century, which has three naves and a double colonnade of capitals.

You will be surprised by the height of the central nave, as well as the arrangement of both colonnades on high plinths.

Sant Pere de Rodes monastery schedules

The monastery visiting hours They are every day, from June to September, from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m.; and from October to May, from 10 a.m. to 17,30:XNUMX p.m., with the last entry half an hour before.

Sant Pere de Rodes ticket prices

The ticket prices It is 6 euros for adults; 4 euros for seniors +65, pensioners, Youth card holders, large families; and admission is free for those under 16 years of age and unemployed people, among other groups.

You can also visit the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes for free the last Tuesday of each month, between October 1 and June 30.

Map: how to get to Sant Pere de Rodes

El monastery of San Pere de Rodes is half an hour by car from Cadaqués y one hour from the city of Girona.