Sant Andreu de les Conilleres

Sant Andreu de les Conilleres is a small chapel in the municipality of Castellví de la Marca, in the Alt Penedès region of Catalonia, standing next to the Can Morgades del Grau farmhouse about 1.5 km from the hamlet of les Conilleres. It's a quiet, out-of-the-way stop for anyone interested in rural Catalan history rather than a crowd-drawing landmark — the chapel sits among the vineyards typical of this wine region.

What's the history behind this chapel?

Some architectural features point to Romanesque origins, but no document confirms the chapel's existence before the 13th century, and the earliest written reference to an older chapel on the site dates only from the early 16th century. The current structure, as recorded by the date carved into the door's lintel, was built in 1747. Inside, the apse of an earlier medieval church — attached on the south side — was repurposed as the sacristy, making it one of the few surviving traces of the building's earlier phase.

The chapel's story includes a dramatic interruption: it was destroyed in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, and later rebuilt to a design by architect Lluís Brugal. He changed the building's orientation from its original layout and prioritized practicality over aesthetic polish, which is why today's chapel looks noticeably different from the one that stood here before its destruction.

What will you see there?

The building shows clear signs of repeated alterations, but the apse of the original Romanesque construction — now serving as the sacristy — along with a fragment of the older nave, are still identifiable. The façade is simple but distinctive: an ashlar portal topped with a round arch, a circular window, and a small bell gable (a wall-mounted opening for a single bell, typical of rural Catalan chapels).

This isn't a monumental building — it's a modest countryside chapel whose charm comes from the mix of old and newer elements and its peaceful setting amid the fields and vineyards of Alt Penedès.

How do you get to Sant Andreu de les Conilleres?

The chapel lies within the municipality of Castellví de la Marca, near the road leading toward the hamlet of les Conilleres, beside the Can Morgades del Grau farmhouse. The surrounding landscape is classic Alt Penedès — gently rolling hills covered in vineyards, with scattered farmhouses connected by small country roads. The easiest way to reach it is by car from Castellví de la Marca or nearby Sant Sadurní d'Anoia; the whole region is well connected to Barcelona, less than an hour's drive away.

When should you visit?

Given the setting — a chapel next to a private farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards — spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the surrounding fields look their most striking and temperatures are comfortable for exploring on foot. Summers in Alt Penedès can get hot, which makes extended time outdoors less pleasant.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sant Andreu de les Conilleres open to visitors? It's a small rural chapel next to a private farmhouse, so it's worth checking locally whether the interior can be visited — the exterior and façade, however, can be viewed freely.

Do any Romanesque elements survive? Yes — the apse of the original medieval church has survived and is now used as the sacristy, although most of the current building dates from the 1747 construction and the later rebuild.

Why was the chapel rebuilt? The original structure was destroyed in 1936. Its reconstruction was designed by architect Lluís Brugal, who reoriented the building and focused on functionality over decorative detail.

What stands out in the façade's design? An ashlar portal with a round arch, a circular window, and a small bell gable — simple but recognizable features typical of rural chapels in the region.