Sant Miquel del Fai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sant Miquel del Fai |
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| Native name Catalan: Sant Miquel del Fai |
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Sant Miquel de Fai
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| Location | Bigues i Riells, Catalonia, Spain |
| Architectural style(s) | Romanesque Gothic |
| Official name: Sant Miquel del Fai | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | November 8, 1988 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0005209 |
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Sant Miquel del Fai is an old monastery located in Bigues i Riells, Catalonia, Spain. A monastery is a place where monks live and worship together. This one was built by Benedictine monks in the 11th century. It is a special type of monastery called a cenobitic monastery, meaning the monks lived together in a community. In 1988, this historic building was recognized as a very important landmark called a Bien de Interés Cultural.
Exploring Sant Miquel del Fai's Location
The monastery of Sant Miquel del Fai is found in a beautiful natural area. It is surrounded by tall, rocky cliffs known as the Cingles de Bertí. These cliffs are part of the Catalan pre-coastal mountain range. This mountain range helps separate the region of Vallès Oriental from the subregion of Moianès. The entire natural area around Sant Miquel del Fai is located within the town of Bigues i Riells.
Architecture and Inside the Monastery
The church at Sant Miquel del Fai shows off its old Romanesque style.
- It has a special doorway shaped like a half-circle, called a semicircular arch.
- Two columns stand on each side of the doorway.
- The tops of these columns, called capitals, are decorated with designs of plants.
Inside the church, you can still see a few parts of the old main altar. There is also a small, hidden room called a crypt. You can reach the crypt by going down a staircase near the entrance.
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On the floor of the church, you can see old stone slabs. These are the headstones of the abbots, who were the leaders of the monastery. In small chapels on the sides, there are two old graves.
- One grave is from the 13th century. People believe it belongs to Guillem, who was an Earl (a type of noble). He was also the brother of Ramon Berenguer I, a powerful Count of Barcelona. Guillem gave up his rights to become a monk at Sant Miquel.
- The other tomb might be for Andreu Arbizu. He was a monk from Navarre who gave many valuable things to the monastery.
The old house where the prior (another leader of the monastery) lived is built in the Gothic style. This house dates back to the 15th century. For many years, it was used as a hostel, a place where travelers could stay. Even though it was used differently, it still looks much like it did originally.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Miguel de Fay para niños
