Plans de Santa Caterina archaeological site

From Roman Villa to Santa Caterina Chapel

The archaeological remains that have been uncovered at Plans de Santa Caterina correspond to the chapel of Santa Caterina and a farmhouse erected next to it. Previously, between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, a probable Roman villa already existed on this site. In the medieval era, around the 13th century, the small monastery of Sant Cristòfol was built there, inhabited by a group of nuns dependent on the Seu de Manresa. In the 15th century, during the Catalan Civil War, the monastery was destroyed. In 1502, the chapel was rebuilt, now dedicated to Santa Caterina, and a farmhouse was adapted over the old monastery. The complex was abandoned at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1839, the Santa Caterina Artillery Tower was built (located about 400 m to the northeast). It seems it was made with stones repurposed from the ruined farmhouse and chapel, whose trace was lost over the years. Until they were rediscovered and, between 2020 and 2024, subjected to an archaeological excavation.

A Very Special Location

From this site, one enjoys privileged views over the area now occupied by the city of Manresa and its surroundings. A very old road, of Roman or earlier origin, passed through there, starting from the Pont Vell area, going towards the current Xup neighborhood, and heading towards Igualada. This is why the monastery was located at this point. Sant Cristòfol (Saint Christopher) was regarded as the protector of travelers, who commended themselves to him when starting a dangerous journey.