Santa Maria, Roses

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Santa Maria de Roses is a ruined Benedictine monastery in Roses, Catalonia, Spain, inside the Ciutadella de Roses fortress. It is the earliest known Lombard-style building in the country. The monastery originated from the church Santa Maria de Rodes, part of the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. Pirate attacks troubled its history. In 960 it gained protection from Gausfred I, Count of Ampurias and Roussillon, and in 976 it received fishing and shipwreck rights. A foundation charter dates to 1022. It had branches such as Santa Maria de Pedardell and Santa Maria del Camp. The monastery declined in the 15th century. In 1588 a plague caused its abandonment and looting. In 1592 the pope ordered it to join Santa Maria d'Amer. In 1792 the monks left, and in 1793 Napoleon's troops destroyed the building. Restoration took place in 1966–1969. The church is built in a basilica plan with three naves, a transept and three apses, and a barrel vault in the nave. Lombard decoration on the interior walls is still visible, along with a series of blind arches. Remains of a cloister and other monastic buildings survive. A new restoration project began in the late 20th century.