Santa Maria de Lluçà

Santa Maria de Lluçà is a former Augustinian monastery in the Spanish province of Barcelona in the autonomous region of Catalonia and has a completely preserved Romanesque cloister with figurative capitals. It is located off a narrow road between Vic and Berga. The cloister, in which the stone-encased fountain is still preserved, has an irregular floor plan. The north and west galleries consist of four arcades, while the east and south galleries consist of five arcades. The galleries of the cloister feature a wooden beam ceiling. The 22 capitals depict animals and plants, mythical creatures, and human figures. It is striking that the motifs have no connection to Christian themes. Individual representations suggest they may have been inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh. This is seen as evidence that Arab stone masons were at work here, as well as the depiction of exotic plants like lotus flowers or the partial absence of a central keystone above the round arches, which indicates advanced knowledge of geometry.

Catalunya Tourist Board