san bartomeo de torres

San Bartomeo de Torres, originally a fortified masia, was bequeathed to Guillem de Torres, a distinguished local nobleman, after the battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212. It is historically documented that Guillem de Torres, a veteran of several crusades, returned from the Holy Land or Rome with one of the thorns from Christ's ‘crown of thorns’.

The priory and ermita (chapel) of San Bartomeo de Torres, a romanic church with half circular apse, was founded in 1253 by a small group of Benedictine monks after the death of Guillem and here the thorn was kept as a relic.

Until the 15th century the relic was often hidden for safe-keeping during turbulent times. It can be seen today at the nearby church of St Sadurni in our local village Vilavenut.

The Benedictines continued to use the priory until the earthquakes in the region of Garrotxa in the mid 15th century. It was restored in the 17th century by Joanes Prior a ‘Cura’ (priest). When we found San Bartomeo de Torres in 2001, the ermita had been used for storing hay and the priory was a total ruin.