Mines del Sant Pare

Mines del Sant Pare, just outside Anglès in Catalonia's La Selva county (Girona province), are the ruins of a 19th-century lead mine tucked into the hills south of town, right along the old royal road that once connected Anglès with Santa Coloma de Farners.

What was mined here?

The site brought together five separate workings where miners extracted galena, the main ore of lead. The mineral veins ran on a northwest-southeast axis, sandwiched between bands of pegmatite rock typical of this part of Catalonia. Extraction continued for decades until the deposits stopped paying their way.

Why is it called "Sant Pare"?

The name, literally "Holy Father," is no accident. Once the mine stopped turning a profit, its owner signed the mineral rights over to the Church. A dispute among the business partners running the operation in 1871 ended with ownership passing to the Holy See in Rome. From then on, the Diocese of Girona managed the site locally, leasing extraction rights to a succession of mining companies.

How do you get there?

Anglès sits in La Selva county, roughly half an hour's drive from Girona. From the town centre, a historic path heads toward the hamlet of Rissec, following stretches of the old royal road to Santa Coloma de Farners. The walk itself is short but crosses uneven, stony ground, so proper footwear helps. It's worth calling the town hall first (Ajuntament d'Anglès, tel. 972 42 00 58), since parts of the site are periodically closed for conservation work.

What will you see on site?

What survives of the mining complex are the walls of the former company offices and warehouses, plus the ruined housing once occupied by miners and site managers. A brick chimney still stands on top of the hill, likely the remains of a furnace used to process the extracted ore. Together, the remains form an industrial-archaeological site that documents La Selva's mining past.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, when temperatures suit walking across open ground and vegetation doesn't block the approach to the ruins. Summer heat can be tough here, and the route offers little shade. A visit to Mines del Sant Pare pairs well with a walk around Anglès itself, or a short detour to nearby Santa Coloma de Farners along the same historic route.

Frequently asked questions

What was extracted at Mines del Sant Pare? Mainly galena, a lead ore, drawn from five separate mine workings across the site.

Why is the mine named "Sant Pare"? Because ownership of the unprofitable mine passed to the Church, and from 1871 the Holy See in Rome held formal title, with the Diocese of Girona managing operations locally.

Can visitors currently access the ruins? The site is listed among Anglès' tourist attractions, but sections close periodically for restoration work - check with the town hall before visiting.

How far is it from Girona? About half an hour by car; from the centre of Anglès, a short historic path leads to the ruins near Rissec.