Sant Daniel de Tordera

Sant Daniel de Tordera is a small chapel located in the municipality of Tordera, in the Maresme district of Barcelona province. Listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage, it is one of those modest rural religious buildings that are easy to walk past yet reveal a good deal about the area's history.

What will you see there?

The chapel follows a simple rectangular floor plan and is roofed with traditional Arab-style tiles, a common feature of rural Catalan construction. In front of the entrance stands a portico supported by five stone pillars, finished with wood and tile — this is the part of the building that catches the eye first. A small bell gable rises above the façade, holding the single bell that once called the faithful to prayer.

The entrance itself is framed by an arched stone portal. Its shape and craftsmanship suggest the chapel was built sometime in the 16th or 17th century, though no written records survive to confirm an exact founding date.

Where does the name come from?

The name "Sant Daniel" is no accident. The land on which the chapel stands once belonged to the convent of the nuns of Vall de Maria (Valley of Mary), which in turn was a dependency of the Monastery of Sant Daniel in Girona. This monastic link gave the small chapel in Tordera its name — a naming pattern that was fairly common for local chapels tied to a mother monastery in medieval and early modern Catalonia.

How do you get to Sant Daniel de Tordera?

The chapel sits within the municipality of Tordera, in the Maresme region, close to the coastline that connects the Costa del Maresme with the Costa Brava. Tordera lies along the main routes linking Barcelona and Girona, making it an easy stop by car. It works well as a short detour on a drive through the smaller towns of Maresme, paired with other rural chapels and heritage sites nearby.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its modest scale, the chapel can be visited comfortably at any time of year. Spring and autumn tend to be the most pleasant, with mild temperatures across Maresme and the surrounding countryside and access roads at their most scenic. Summer visits should account for the higher temperatures typical of the Catalan coast.

Why is it worth stopping here?

Sant Daniel de Tordera is not a major tourist draw, and that is precisely its appeal — it is an authentic piece of the rural Catalan landscape, a quiet witness to the history of local religious communities and the sacred architecture of the Maresme region. For anyone interested in rural architecture, Catalan history, or simply looking for a peaceful stop along the way, it adds context and depth to a journey through the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Sant Daniel de Tordera chapel? Based on the style of its arched entrance portal, it is dated to the 16th or 17th century, though no documents confirm the exact year of construction.

Where does the chapel's name come from? The land where it stands belonged to the convent of the nuns of Vall de Maria, which was dependent on the Monastery of Sant Daniel in Girona — hence the name passed on to the local chapel in Tordera.

What are the chapel's most distinctive architectural features? A portico resting on five stone pillars, a roof of Arab-style tiles, and a small bell gable above the façade.

Is the chapel protected as heritage? Yes, it is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage (Inventari del Patrimoni Arquitectònic de Catalunya).