Sant Pere, Besalú facts for kids
Sant Pere de Besalú is an old Benedictine monastery located in a town called Besalú in Catalonia, Spain. A monastery is a place where monks live and work together. This special building was updated and made new again in the year 1160.
A Look Back in Time: History
The monastery was started in 977 by a count named Bonfill Miró from Girona. He wanted it to be under the special protection of the Pope in Rome. He also made sure that important relics (special objects from saints) of Saints Primus and Felician were brought to the monastery.
Just two years later, Pope Benedict VII gave the monastery a special permission. This allowed the monks to choose their own leader, called an abbot. The monastery grew much bigger and more important during the 1100s and 1200s.
Exploring the Building: Architecture
The monastery was built in a style called basilica. This means it has a long main hall and two smaller halls on the sides. It also has a large, rounded end part called an apse. The main hall has a curved ceiling that looks like a barrel. The side halls also have curved ceilings.
Outside, the apse has two levels decorated with blind arcades. These are like arches that are just for decoration and don't open up. There's also a cool zigzag pattern called a sawtooth frieze.
The front of the building has a main entrance with an arch. There are two small columns next to it. Above the door, there's a window with carvings of shapes and plants. These carvings are also supported by columns with decorated tops called capitals. On both sides of this window, you can see carved faces of lions, a snake, and a monkey!
Inside, there's a curved walkway called an ambulatory. It has eight columns, arranged in pairs. These columns have carved tops that hold up five arches. These arches support the ceiling of the apse. The carvings on the column tops are very interesting! They show different things, like leaves and even human figures. One carving tells a story about a king named Herod the Great getting advice and another about a sad event involving children.
See also
In Spanish: Monasterio de San Pedro (Besalú) para niños
