Costa Brave--Santuari dels Angels

View from the peak

Those who know me well know that I am a back roads kind of gal.  I much prefer taking the slow routes just to see where they lead.  We did just that when we left the train station at Girona.  Georges programed Fifi, the GPS navigator to take the scenic route to Palamos from Girona.  Actually, I think if you take the auto route, it's only about 29 kilometers from Girona to the coast, but we weren't really in a hurry and we did want to see some sights along the way.

We had not counted on just how twisty and turn-y the road would be.  For my Oregon friends, it was something like mile after mile of the worst parts of Carpenterville Road, or 199, through the canyon.  Georges did a great job of driving and avoiding the many cyclists coming down the mountain.  Many many pine trees surrounded us; and I saw my first cork trees.  Very interesting.  Technically we were crossing the Massis de Gavarres.  There were unexpected little farmhouse restaurants out in the middle of nowhere, and just like on Carpenterville Road, I recognized the occasional driveway or more accurately, track, with a chain barring entrance to curiosity seekers.  Keep out is a universal signal.

Looking back toward Girona

When we reached the top of the massif,  we discovered a lovely whitewashed complex, obviously a church and based on its location, it had to have spectacular views.  It did not disappoint.  We pulled into the parking lot and began our walk around the complex.  The name of it is Santuari dels Angles--the Sanctuary of the Angels.  What a lovely name!  And it has 360 degree views.  To the south you can see the Med.  To the northeast, we could see the Pyrenees from what for me is the "back" side.  I was surprised that there wasn't more snow, even on Canigou.  I have a feeling this weekend's forecasted weather will remedy that. Even so, they were stunning.

Lovely to find a sanctuary at the end of the road

It turns out that the church was the one in which Salvador Dali was secretly married.  This area of Spain is Dali country; he lived and worked here and I think there is at least one museum of his work located in the area.  The church itself is modest and unassuming inside.  There were a few stained glass windows and a stone in the floor indicating a date in the 1600's, so it's been around a while.  

At the altar

1683

Paul? looks unhappy.

A Google search revealed that it is actually a sanctuary--a place for a retreat.  There is an 18 room hotel on premises, but certainly not overdone with "amenities."  It's clean, safe, and there are windows that actually open to let in the mountain air.  Groups and individuals use it for retreats.  There's a building with a multipurpose room that I thought might be used as part of the chruch;'s Sunday school facilities, but now I think it's use extends to people who come for all manner of retreat activities.  And I peeked in one of the windows of the restaurant, which probably serves very good food. There is a huge terrace outside to enjoy the sunshine and the views.  

Outdoor eating area to enjoy the sunshine and the views

It would be hard to leave such a place if I were staying there.  It was hard to leave even though i wasn't staying there, but there were other places to see and lunch was waiting for us on the beach.

Never tire of this view