Sant Benet de Bages facts for kids
The Monastery of Sant Benet de Bages is an old Benedictine monastery located in the region of Bages, Catalonia, Spain. This beautiful Romanesque building was carefully restored in the early 1900s by a famous Catalan architect named Josep Puig i Cadafalch.
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What is Sant Benet de Bages?
Sant Benet de Bages was once a home for Benedictine monks. These monks followed the rules of Benedict of Nursia, focusing on prayer, work, and study. The monastery is known for its Romanesque style, which means it has thick walls, round arches, and strong, simple designs.
How the Monastery Began
The monastery was started around the year 950 by a noble couple, Salla and Ricarda. They belonged to a powerful family from Osona. They wanted their new monastery to be special and directly connected to the Holy See (the Pope in Rome). This way, it would be protected from local bishops.
The main church of the monastery was officially opened on December 3, 972. Many important people came to this event, including Borrell II, Count of Barcelona, and several bishops. This showed how important the new monastery was.
Early Days and Challenges
The monastery was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Benedict of Nursia (Sant Benet in Catalan), Peter, and Andrew. For a while, the leaders (called abbots) were chosen from the founder's family.
Around 965, the monastery received what were believed to be the relics of Saint Valentine. These were kept in a special silver box. This box was later found in 1863 in a church in Navarcles.
In 1125, the monastery was attacked by moors. This caused a lot of damage, and the monastery had to be rebuilt. Local nobles helped pay for the repairs. In return, they asked to be buried in the monastery's sacred ground.
Times of Change and Decline
The 1300s were a great time for Sant Benet de Bages. However, things changed when the Black Death arrived. This terrible sickness left only two monks alive at the monastery, and it began to decline.
On November 9, 1593, Pope Clement VIII ordered that Sant Benet de Bages become part of the Abbey of Montserrat. It stayed connected to Montserrat until 1820. During this time, it often served as a quiet place for older monks from Montserrat to retire.
In 1835, a new law in Spain meant that all religious groups had to give up their property. This included Sant Benet de Bages, and it was no longer used as a monastery.
Restoration and Modern Use
After being abandoned, the old monastery started to crumble. But in the late 1800s, smart people became interested in its history and beauty.
In 1907, the mother of a famous painter named Ramon Casas bought the property. In 1910, Ramon Casas himself took over. He hired the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch to restore the monastery. Puig i Cadafalch worked hard to bring the old building back to life, making it look much like it does today.
Since 2000, the monastery has been owned by CatalunyaCaixa, a financial group. They continue to take care of this important historical site. Today, the Monastery of Sant Benet de Bages is a popular place for visitors to learn about history, enjoy the beautiful architecture, and even attend events.
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