Sant Andreu de Pineda de Mar

Sant Andreu de l'Arboceda (also known as Sant Andreu de Pineda de Mar) is an abandoned medieval hermitage tucked into the wooded hills of the Montnegre-Corredor Natural Park, within the municipality of Pineda de Mar in Catalonia's Maresme county. It's a stop for travelers who'd rather trade the beach for a forest trail and a slice of local history.

Where exactly is the hermitage?

The ruins sit deep in woodland, on the first slopes of the Montnegre range, close to the road leading to Hortsavinyà. The spot is remote enough that it's sometimes mistakenly attributed to neighboring Calella — in fact it stands near the point where the boundaries of three municipalities meet: Pineda de Mar, Calella, and Tordera. The hill right beside it, Collet de Sant Andreu, takes its name from the hermitage itself.

How old is the site?

The earliest known reference to Sant Andreu appears in 1079, in the consecration act of the church of Santa Maria de Pineda, where the hermitage is cited as a landmark marking the parish boundary. Its dedication and building style point to Romanesque origins in the 11th century, though the absence of archaeological excavation makes an exact date impossible to confirm. An adjoining farmhouse (mas) dates from the 17th-18th centuries, the period when the hermitage itself was also reworked. From the 19th century onward the building fell into gradual disrepair, and for decades it stood roofless, with vegetation growing between its walls.

What does the building look like?

It's a modest, single-nave chapel of small proportions. A small bell turret (espadanya) rises above the west entrance, a common feature of rural chapels in the region. The flat apse collapsed long ago. During later reinforcement work, three buttresses were added to the north wall and the walls themselves were raised, likely to support a heavier replacement roof.

What's happening at the hermitage today?

Since 2013, the site has been looked after by Amics Escoltes del Montnegre, a scout association based in Calella, which signed an agreement with the Pineda de Mar town council to restore the chapel and its surroundings. Archaeological work at the site has recovered the remains of more than twenty people buried there, confirming its long-standing religious and funerary role. After more than a century without one, local residents have also revived the traditional aplec, a local festival combined with a pilgrimage to the hermitage.

How do you hike there?

The ruins lie along the hiking network of the Montnegre-Corredor park, which links several nearby summits. Access is via the road toward Hortsavinyà, followed by an uphill forest path. This is a walk for visitors prepared for uneven, wooded terrain — there's no visitor infrastructure or signage at the ruins themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sant Andreu an active church? No. It's the ruin of a former hermitage, currently the focus of conservation and restoration work rather than a place of worship.

Can you visit the ruins on your own? Yes, the site is reachable on foot via the Montnegre-Corredor park trails, though expect no waymarking and uneven ground.

How far is it from central Pineda de Mar? The hermitage sits deep in the hills, well above the coastal part of town, so reaching it means a proper hike rather than a short stroll.

Why is it called "de l'Arboceda"? The name refers to the local place-name of the land where the chapel stands, distinguishing it from other churches dedicated to Saint Andrew in the region.