The tiny church of Sant Felip Neri is tucked away in a hidden corner of the
Gothic Quarter: a little square with a romantic atmosphere which bears the same name. The austere-baroque style façade bears the scars of bombing. The restoration and cleaning of the building sought to preserve the painful memory of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
This small Romanesque church along the Carrer de Sant Pau is a haven of peace, away from the noise and bustle of Barcelona"s Raval neighbourhood. Its thick stone walls enshrine the mysteries and wonders of a primitive architectural style steeped in symbolism which tells us about the past when convents dotted the Barcelona landscape.
The massif is the result of the erosion of hard rock (conglomerate) and softer ones (clays and sedimentary rocks) over thousands of years. The highest peak,
Sant Jeroni, stands 1,238 metres above sea level. The massif is a natural park and covers an area of approximately 3,600 hectares. It is the perfect place for hiking, climbing and caving (with wonderful places you can visit, such as the
Collbató or
Salnitre caves). A park with a wealth of beautiful natural scenery that is reflected in its varied flora and fauna. You"ll find squirrels, wild goats, wild boar, evergreen oaks and white pines.
Many of Barcelona"s squares in Barcelona"s Ciutat Vella district contain astonishing Romanesque landmarks. Time seems to have stood still in the heart of the neighbourhood of Sant Pere, where the church of the ancient convent of Sant Pere de les Puel·les still stands. A history dating back centuries marked by renovations which haven"t taken away any of the charm of the original building.
