Sant Francesc d'Assís

Sant Francesc d'Assís is a small chapel built into Casa Roca (Can Roca), a historic farmhouse in the tiny village of Sant Martí de Barcedana, part of the municipality of Gavet de la Conca in the Pallars Jussà region, on the northern slope of the Serra del Montsec mountain range in Catalonia. You won't find this one on any "top 10 Catalonia" list — which is exactly why it's worth seeking out if you want a genuine, rural slice of the Pyrenees rather than a postcard version of it.

What is this place?

The chapel is part of Casa Roca, a house founded in the 15th century by Francesc Roca, from one of the oldest families in Sant Martí de Barcedana. Because the village never had its own parish church, this private chapel — dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi — served for centuries as the only place of worship available to local residents. It sits inside the house, close to an area that still holds historic wine-pressing equipment, a reminder of the era when the farmstead's livelihood came from vineyards and olive groves.

Sant Martí de Barcedana itself has medieval roots: the earliest surviving document naming the village dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. By the mid-16th century it had around 35 residents, growing to nearly 50 by the mid-19th century — its historical peak. Like many mountain villages in the area, it lost population through the 20th century due to economic hardship and the impact of the Spanish Civil War. It was an independent municipality until the early 19th century, when it was annexed to Aransís; since 1970 it has belonged to Gavet de la Conca.

How do you get there?

Sant Martí de Barcedana lies roughly 30 kilometres from Tremp, the main town of Pallars Jussà and the natural base for exploring this stretch of the Pyrenees. The approach runs along local roads through the Serra del Montsec — scenic but demanding, and best tackled with your own car. This isn't a spot reachable by public transport; expect narrow, winding mountain roads on the way in.

What will you see?

Casa Roca now operates as a rural tourism accommodation, offering overnight stays, meals, and guided visits to the traditional, sustainable vineyards and olive groves surrounding the property. The Sant Francesc d'Assís chapel, though modest in size, is one of the house's most distinctive corners, and hosts typically show it to guests during their stay. The village itself today counts around ten houses in good condition, with electricity and running water, home to a small community — a quiet, close-knit place where time moves at a very different pace than on the coast.

When should you visit?

Pallars Jussà has a typically mountainous climate, so spring and early autumn are the best times to visit, when temperatures are mild and the Serra del Montsec landscape looks its most striking. Summers can get hot in the valleys, while winters bring cold and snow to the higher ground — worth factoring in if you're driving the local mountain roads to get there.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone visit the chapel? It's a private chapel located inside the working agritourism property of Casa Roca. The best way to see it is to book a stay or a meal there, as hosts show it to guests as part of the visit.

Does the village have its own church? No — Sant Martí de Barcedana never had a parish church of its own. The chapel at Casa Roca has historically been the only place of worship for the village's residents.

How many people live in Sant Martí de Barcedana today? According to 2022 figures, around 28 people live in the village, across ten houses that remain in good structural condition.

What else is there to do nearby? Casa Roca runs guided tours of its traditional vineyard and olive grove cultivation, and the wider Serra del Montsec area is popular with hikers and stargazers, thanks to its notably low light pollution.