Fourth ascent to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes
For the last four years the nine villages and towns that are in the vicinities of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, amongst them Roses, organise a popular ascent to this Benedictine monastery located in the northwest of the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. The reason is to recall the old pilgrimages to the abbey that took place until 1697. This year the chosen date is this Sunday 1st of May.
The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is in the Rodes range at 520 m (1706 ft) above sea level and it has breathtaking views over the bays of Llançà and Port de la Selva and the Pyrenees. The story of its construction, in the 10th century, and its decadence, in the 18th century, is surrounded by enigmas and legends. But there is something that we know for certain and is that this treasure of the Romanesque art in Catalonia was the centre of the spiritual, political and economic power of its time, attracting a lot of money due to the dense pilgrimage from around the world.
From Roses the departure will take place at 7:30 AM at the bus station (C. Riera de Ginjolers s/n), with a registration price of 2 €. The route has a length of 10.4 km (6.5 miles) and finishes in front of Santa Helena church, the last stop before arriving to the monastery. Participants will be welcomed with sweet wine and cookies and will receive a certification of participation that will allow them to enjoy special offers at the monastery during a year. There will also be plenty of activities during the day: the restaurant of the monastery will offer breakfasts and a special menu on the 4th ascent to Sant Pere de Rodes; there will be free guided tours to the monastery and the medieval monumental site that is in the surroundings, made up by Santa Creu village, Santa Helena church and Sant Salvador castle; there will be sardanas (Catalan folk dance), and at the outgoing populationsthere will be restaurant discounts and tastings of local products.
