Monastery Sant Pere de Rodes, in Port de la Selva, Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

The first document news we have from Monastery of Sant Pere de Roda come from ninth century. At that time it was just a monastic cell (something like a small chapel), although it is true that at the base of the building are still older foundations, probably Roman or early Christian.

Central nave central of Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

This cell was dependent on Sant Esteve de Banyoles church until finally gained independence in the year 947. The first abbot was Hildesind, son of a nobleman named Tasi. In 1022 it was consecrated as a basilica. The most meritorious architectural part of the monastery was built from 1100. They erected a cover, the cloister and later another new portal, made by Mestre of Cabestany, some parts of which are preserved in the Museum of Peralada and Museum Marés of Barcelona.

Capital of one of columns in Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, now in Museum of Peralada

In any case the religious life in the monastery was very active until the end of the fourteenth century. The Black Death pandemic (which killed 24 monks), lack of donations and the fear of piracy (forcing to fortify the site) led the community to a decline, exacerbated by different expolios mainly due to armed conflicts. Thus, in 1693, the French plunder the Rodes Bible, which is kept in the National Library of France.

The monastery consists of three naves, the lateral rather narrow, with three apses and a cruise.

Inside the bell tower in Monastery Sant Pere de Rodes

The set was declared National Historic Monument in 1930 and it is now open to the public on a regular schedule so it can be visited by all those interested in this key building in the history of the Ampurdán.

Cloister of Monastery Sant Pere de Rodes, in the middle of Cap de Creus, Costa Brava, Spain

Vall de la Santa Creu, in the middle of Cape of Creus, Port de la Selva, Costa Brava, Spain

The origin of this little village is linked to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, to which it is still connected by a forest track. Indeed, the monks gave this land to the inhabitants of the valley, who depended legally on the monastery (remember we are talking about the feudal era), in exchange for an annual fee. In 1787, by order of Carlos III spanish king, and in full decline of the monastery activity, Vall de la Santa Creu village became part of the municipality of Port de la Selva.

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is located near Vall de la Santa Creu

Coming down from the hillside to the valley you will feel a great silence, broken only by the Tramontane wind which usually blows hard. Nowadays the village consists of about thirty houses (many of them are really cottages), some restored, but retaining the medieval charm. The streets are small and paved with rocks, as in the past. Traditionally these people sustained from the exploitation of their fields, vineyards and olive trees, many of which are still planted. In golden times Vall de la Santa Creu had a population of 200 people, but today most are second homes and it is possible that in middle winter you find absolutely nobody in the village.

Ancient panel at the entrance of Vall de la Santa Creu village

On coming in the village, on the right, you find the church of Sant Fruitós de la Vall, of the XVIth and XVIIth centuries, built on a single nave and with a bell. In front of it is the cemetery, next to the parish, which is closed. The village has three half-hidden sources. The most curious, the Font d’en Garlapà, is in a magnificent square with four giant platanaceae trunks that make a perfect shade on sunny days, if you sit on the stone benches in the square.

Scenic views from Vall de la Santa Creu, from Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes

Through Vall de la Santa Creu crosses a small stream having the same name of the village, which formerly was used to run several mills, as those of d’en Pairet or Canavall. In addition to the forest track that links it to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, another path joins the village with Llançà, through the Coll Perer mountain.

As far as we descende through the valley towards the village we see its actual little dimensions

Vall de la Santa Creu is worth a visit if you go to Port de la Selva village and most of all if you visit the very important Sant Pere de Rodes monastery, the main church, by its historical value, in Costa Brava.