Sant Martí de la Roca

Sant Martí de la Roca is a small Romanesque chapel perched on a rocky outcrop in the municipality of Castellcir, in the Moianès region of Barcelona province. It shares its rock with the ruins of Castellcir Castle, popularly known as Castell de la Popa, at an elevation of roughly 845 metres.

Where exactly does the chapel stand?

Also known as Sant Martí del Castell, the chapel occupies the eastern edge of the old castle's defensive grounds. It sits about 2.2 km from the centre of Castellcir village by road, though reaching it on foot takes roughly 25 minutes, since the final stretch follows a trail marked only by stone cairns.

What do we know about its history?

The chapel dates back to the 11th century and was built in Romanesque style, serving the community attached to the castle it stands beside. The earliest surviving written record of it goes back to 1229. Its plan is a simple rectangle covered by a barrel vault, and the structure visible today may reflect alterations carried out in the 16th century.

What condition is it in today?

Sant Martí de la Roca is now in poor repair. The entrance portal has suffered the most: several of the carved stones (voussoirs) that once formed its arch are missing, apparently removed at some point in the past, leaving the archway incomplete. The interior can still be seen, though it is in a similarly degraded state. Despite the damage, the ruins remain accessible to visitors.

Why is the castle called "la Popa"?

Locals rarely use the formal name Castell de Castellcir, referring to the fortress instead as Castell de la Popa — a nickname taken from the shape of the rock it sits on, which resembles the stern (popa) of a ship. The chapel, built into the same outcrop, is inseparable from that landmark.

How do you get there, and what should you know before visiting?

The easiest approach is by car to the centre of Castellcir, followed by a short walk of about 2.2 km along a trail marked with stone cairns, which makes navigation straightforward even without a map. The surrounding area falls within a restricted hunting preserve (coto number 284), so it is worth checking current access rules before setting out, particularly during hunting season. Sturdy footwear is recommended, since the terrain is rocky and there is no visitor infrastructure on site.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Sant Martí de la Roca chapel? It was built in the 11th century in Romanesque style, with the earliest written record dating to 1229.

Is the chapel part of Castellcir Castle? Yes — it stands on the eastern tip of the same rocky outcrop that carries the castle known locally as Castell de la Popa.

Can you still go inside the chapel? Partly. The building is badly deteriorated and its entrance arch is missing stones, but the ruins are open to visitors.

How long does it take to reach the chapel? From central Castellcir it's about 2.2 km, with the last part covered on foot in around 25 minutes along a cairn-marked trail.