Sant Martí De Llémena – Volcanism and Romanesque Churches
Nature and Geology
The municipality of Sant Martí De Llémena stretches along the middle valley of the Riera de Llémena, which runs through its territory. A distinctive landscape feature is formed by the cliffs of Coves i cingles de Sant Martí, which almost surround the town of Sant Martí. They preserve cave habitats from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, dating from 3500 BC to 700 BC.
The geological character of the area also includes Banya de Boc, an ancient volcano whose lava flows descend into the Llémena Valley. A large part of the municipality’s mountainous landscape is covered by holm oak and chestnut forests. Hiking and cycling routes to Banya del Boc lead to one of the best examples of Quaternary volcanism in Catalonia; the area has significant geological importance. Before setting out, current route conditions and traffic advisories should be checked.
History
The parish church of Sant Martí is documented for the years 1031 and 1065. The former Castell de Granollers was the centre of the Barony of Granollers. The Cova de Boratuna is also one of the sites with an archaeological past: Neolithic pottery was found there. The Neolithic pottery from the Cova de Boratuna is among the archaeological traces alongside the later church buildings.
Churches and Architectural Heritage
Sant Pere de Llorà is a well-preserved Romanesque church with a single nave, a semicircular apse and two small side apses. During recent restoration work, remains of Romanesque wall paintings were uncovered in the lower part of the apse and the side apses. At Sant Pere de Llorà, the clearly articulated Romanesque spatial form and the later uncovered remains of the wall paintings come together in a single building.
The Esglesiola de Sant Joan del Pla was built in the 11th century and retains its original appearance, as it has not undergone any substantial alterations. It is located directly on the road between Llorà and Sant Martí. For visits to historic churches, current opening hours and special dates can be checked in advance.
The Ermita de Sant Nazari is an 18th-century chapel on the opposite side of the Llémena from Sant Martí. It consists of an elongated nave, a rectangular doorway and two side windows. The building is complemented by a bell gable with an opening and a porch supported by two plain columns.
Rural Architectural Heritage
Peradalta is a three-storey masia south of the Pla de Sant Joan plain, near the Llémena. The building is older than the dates 1600 and 1611 inscribed on some of the door lintels, dates from the 15th or 16th century and was fortified with a square tower. The dates on the door lintels therefore do not represent the construction year of the entire building.
To the overarching travel overview: Girona.
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