Romanica 1 St. Pere d Áuira

LOCATION
The old parish of Sant Pere d’Auira (also written Huire) is placed in the northern tip of the village, on the left side of the Fresser river (1200 m. above sea level) near the col of Casals. There are two paths leading to the parish. We would advice you to take the easiest one, which starts in the town of Campdevànol. On the way to the old cementery take the path on the right hand side and walk 7.5 km. along the railway. The other path is situated in the 92km. point of the road from Campdevànol to La Pobla de lIllet. It goes through the villlage of Pruners and the parish is to be found after a 7km. walk. You can obtain the key from the rectory of Campdevànol or from the secretaryship of its town hall. BRIEF HISTORY OF SANT PERE D’AUIRA
The existence of the parish of Sant Pere d’Auira, nowadays under the jurisdiction of the monastery of St. Mary of Ripoll, is known since the year 1150. In the first records of the diocese of Vic, dating from the XIth to the XIIth centuries, it appears both under the names of Sant Pere d’Auira and Auire. Dedicated on June 6, 1235 by the bishop of Vic, St. Bernat Calbó, the present church was built at the beginning of the XIIIth. century. Immigration and consequent depopulation were probably the reasons that caused the parish to lose its independence in 1415 leading to its final division in the same year. The part placed on the right side of the Fresser river was joined to the parish of St. Quintí de Puigrodon, while that on the left side was annexed to the parish of St. Martí dArmancies.
Its history is linked to the house Rotllan, which is documended since 1180. The name Auira derivates from the old dAvira, which is the name of a vast neighbouring property that between 1146 and 1178 belonged to both Guillem dAvira and his son Pere. Under their dominion was the house Rotllan until 1178 when Its former owners, the Rotllan and Espona family which held the title of Citizens of Barcelona, recovered their original possessions. They reinstituted the cult which lasted throughout the XIIth. until the XIXth. century. Between 1637 and 1656 the rector of St. Quintí de Puigrodon, Antoni Rotllan, led the restoration of the old church and the construction of two new chapels on both sides of it. It was during its restoration that the documents concerning its two consecrations as well as many relics were found. DETAILS OF THE CONSTRUCTION
Like most of the churches of the Ripollès -and the Fresser-river valley- district dating from the same period, the building is a simple construction positioned north-east with only one nave and a semicircular apse on its end. Placed just below the apse and on both sides of the building are two rectangular chapels that give the construction its latin-cross look. Two windows, one placed in the apse and the other is in the façade where the door -crowned by a horseshoe arch- is also placed, illuminate the interior. Also the chapels are provided with many loops that complete the illumination of the whole construction. Just where the two chapels meet and on top of an arch is placed a two-windowed belfry. There are several differences in the materials used in the construction. While the apse and the chapels were constructed with regular-shaped blocks, the main nave was built with plain stones joined with big quantities of mortar. This is probably due to the fact that the church was built, restored and extended in different periods. So, while the eldest part of the nave corresponds to the construction consecrated in 1235, the other structures were annexed subsequently. Possibly, the belfry was added to the nave were its original apse was while the present one was constructed later in time which would also explain why different materials were used and when. However, hypothesis will remain unproved until a archeological exploration is carried out. Presently, the state of conservation of the building is good and worth a visit since some important restorations were made in 1965.
Scale: 1:50
Contens: 1970 pieces, 16 wood
Measurements: 200x270x190 mm buildingmovie: press here Instructions: press here Plans: press here
age recommendation: +8

WARNING! Not suitable for children under 36 months due to small pieces which may present a chocking hazard - DANGER OF SUFFOCATION !