Just 1 hour from Barcelona, tradition and modernity come together in a unique setting, full of character and possibilities.
Just 1 hour from Barcelona, tradition and modernity come together in a unique setting, full of character and possibilities.
The journey of the Convent de Sant Andreu begins in the heart of the 11th century, when the Castell de Sant Guim de la Rabassa stood on this strategic hill. A military fortress, noble residence and symbol of feudal power, this castle witnessed the passage of counts, noble lineages such as the Cardona, Merlès and Sacirera families, and even peasant revolts.
Photograph by Antoni Gallardo i Garriga. 1931 · Source: AFCEC.
ANC1-167-T-5986-314 Doc 27
After centuries as a noble residence, the 17th century marked an unexpected turning point. The last trace of local nobility, in the hands of Francisca de Calders, bequeathed the site to the Society of Jesus on one condition: that a convent be built there. Thus, in 1736, the medieval stones gave way to a monumental complex: a Baroque church, a functional convent and a restored connection with the old castle.
The journey of the Convent de Sant Andreu begins in the heart of the 11th century, when the Castell de Sant Guim de la Rabassa stood on this strategic hill. A military fortress, noble residence and symbol of feudal power, this castle witnessed the passage of counts, noble lineages such as the Cardona, Merlès and Sacirera families, and even peasant revolts.
Photograph by Antoni Gallardo i Garriga. 1931 · Source: AFCEC.
ANC1-167-T-5986-314 Doc 27
After centuries as a noble residence, the 17th century marked an unexpected turning point. The last trace of local nobility, in the hands of Francisca de Calders, bequeathed the site to the Society of Jesus on one condition: that a convent be built there. Thus, in 1736, the medieval stones gave way to a monumental complex: a Baroque church, a functional convent and a restored connection with the old castle.
The expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 transformed this space into a school. The classrooms of the convent became the first contact with culture for generations of children from the region. A place that had once housed prayer and study also became home to teachers and local residents.
Vanished altarpiece. Photograph taken in 1924. · Source: BNC, Salvany Photographic Collection.
During the Civil War, the convent was occupied by militias, used to store weapons and miraculously survived the bombings. Although the castle fell into ruins and the Baroque altarpiece disappeared, the structure endured. Throughout the 20th century, the complex housed humble working families, remaining a living part of the village.
Today, the Sant Andreu complex is entering a new chapter. Restoration work will begin with the change of ownership, and the site will become the subject of study, conservation and enhancement. Its rooms will breathe history once again. The stones speak, and every corner awaits those willing to listen to its thousand-year-old story.
The recovery of the Convent de Sant Andreu has already attracted the attention of the press, radio and television. Here we gather some of the media appearances that tell the story of this new beginning: the transformation of a place steeped in history into a future venue for filming, culture, events and rural tourism.
The Convent de Sant Andreu, on Catalunya Ràdio The Convent de Sant Andreu project has also been featured on 3Cat, as part of Catalunya Ràdio’s…
The Convent de Sant Andreu, on 3Cat The recovery project of the Convent de Sant Andreu, in Sant Guim de Freixenet, has been featured by…
The Convent de Sant Andreu, featured in SEGRE The recovery project of the Convent de Sant Andreu, in Sant Guim de Freixenet, continues to move…
”[https://vimeo.com/1178415961?fl=pl&fe=cm”(https://vimeo.com/1178415961?fl=pl&fe=cm%22]”Segarra Segarra TV has dedicated a report to the rehabilitation process of the Convent de Sant Andreu, in Sant Guim de Freixenet, and to its…
When the Convent de Sant Andreu began to imagine its future In November 2022, the newspaper SEGRE reported one of the first stories about the…
A selection of renders showing how we imagine the transformation of the Convent de Sant Andreu: respecting its original architecture, enhancing its character and opening it up to new creative, cultural and rural experiences.
Every stone, every detail and every step forward are part of a story being written once again. Discover the latest images, news and moments shared through our social media channels.
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