Sant Agustí de Lloret Salvatge

Sant Agustí de Lloret Salvatge is a small Romanesque church, once a parish church, standing on a hilltop in the municipality of Amer, in the Selva comarca of Catalonia. The building marks the site of the vanished medieval settlement of Lloret Salvatge, and its walls have overlooked the Ter river valley for close to a thousand years.

Where is it located?

The church stands on an isolated rise within the municipality of Amer, close to the right bank of the Ter, on the way toward the Susqueda reservoir (Pantà de Susqueda). Its coordinates are 41.98563 N, 2.58127 E. Because it sits away from the main roads, reaching the site usually means a short walk across open countryside — the seclusion is very much part of the appeal, set against the hills and woodland typical of the Selva region.

What is its history?

The settlement of Lloret Salvatge, also recorded as Lloret de la Muntanya, appears in written sources as early as the 10th century: a document from 949 names it Loreddo, and one from 979 calls it Lauretum. At the time, the place fell under the authority of the nearby monastery of Santa Maria d'Amer.

The church itself was originally dedicated to Saint Julian and served as the parish church for the people of Lloret Salvatge. Over time, the dedication shifted to Saint Augustine, giving the building its present name. Once the settlement disappeared, the church lost its parish role, and it has not held regular services for a long time — today it stands as a solitary reminder of medieval settlement in this corner of the Selva.

What does the architecture look like?

The building is a straightforward example of rural Catalan Romanesque architecture from the 11th century. Inside, the single rectangular nave is topped by a barrel vault stiffened with a transverse arch, and the east end closes in a semicircular apse that leans slightly out of true.

On the exterior walls, blind arcading in the Lombard style survives — a row of small, decorative arches running along the masonry, a hallmark of Romanesque churches across Catalonia. The building is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which recognizes its historical and conservation value.

When and how to visit?

The church is currently open to anyone who wants to look inside — the door is simply propped shut with a stick, so visitors don't need to arrange access in advance or track down a key, which is unusual for a Romanesque monument. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, since temperatures in this part of Catalonia are comfortable for walking the surrounding hills, and the Ter valley looks its best at those times. It's worth pairing a visit with other heritage sites in Amer, including the nearby monastery of Santa Maria d'Amer, with which Lloret Salvatge was historically connected.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sant Agustí de Lloret Salvatge? It is a small 11th-century Romanesque church, the former parish church of the vanished settlement of Lloret Salvatge, located in the municipality of Amer, Catalonia.

Which saint was the church originally dedicated to? It was first dedicated to Saint Julian; the dedication to Saint Augustine, which gives the church its current name, came later.

Are religious services still held there? No — once the settlement of Lloret Salvatge disappeared, the church lost its parish function and no longer holds regular services.

Can visitors go inside the church? Yes, the building is freely accessible, with the door held shut only by a simple stick wedged against the frame.