Girona - Sant Pere de Galligants

The Benedictian monastery Sant Pere de Galligants was built, outside the city walls of Girnona, from 962 on. The monastery in 1117 was united to the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse (now France, 170kms north), but kept an own abbot and so at least some autonomy.

In 1362, when the monastery was enclosed within Girona´s city walls, it was redesigned to a more defensive shape. It started to decay from the 15th century, and in 1592 it was united to the also crumbling monasteries of Sant Miquel de Cruïlles and San Miguel de Fluviá. In 1835 the monastery was given up, the abbot and the last four monks left. In 1857 the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya moved into the buildings.

Using the remains of on older church, the contruction of the three nave basilica started in 1130. Parts of the facade may date back to the older church, but not that large rose-window (3,50m in diameter), that is quite sensational for that time. Note the lombardic bands around the walls. Behind the high wall to the right is the cloister.