Sant Martí Sacosta

Sant Martí Sacosta is a Baroque church tucked into the upper part of Girona's Old Town, squeezed between the Sant Domènec convent and the steep steps of Pujada de Sant Martí. Its unassuming Baroque exterior hides a history that stretches back to the early Middle Ages, with several major transformations along the way.

How do you get there?

The church sits on a hill in the Barri Vell district, a few minutes' walk from Girona Cathedral and the Sant Domènec convent. The most direct approach is up the Pujada de Sant Martí steps — a classic combination of narrow lanes and stone stairs typical of the old city, so comfortable shoes are a must. From the city center, near the bridges over the Onyar river, expect a gentle 10–15 minute uphill walk.

What will you see?

The first record of a church dedicated to Saint Martin here dates back to 898, when it already had its own priest. The building's current form is the result of centuries of rebuilding. Chief cantor Ponç initiated its reconstruction before 1064, and work continued at least until 1078, when his heir Joan made further bequests to fund it — the result was a three-nave Romanesque church.

Everything changed in 1581, when Pope Gregory XIII dissolved the canonry attached to Sant Martí and handed the building over to the Jesuits. The Jesuits carried out a major rebuild: using the old Romanesque church's master walls, they merged its three naves into a single one lined with side chapels, and raised a new Baroque façade. It's this Jesuit-era project that gave the church its current, monumental appearance.

The façade, reached by the distinctive Sant Martí steps, is one of Girona's notable Baroque set pieces — a play of light and shadow created by sculpted moldings and curved pediments, cylindrical columns, and, right at the top, a figure of Saint Martin alongside the Habsburg coat of arms. It's a detail worth pausing for — the façade tells more about the city's layered history than a passing glance suggests.

After the Jesuits' departure, the adjoining buildings were taken over by the Diocesan Seminary of Girona, which also houses the city's Diocesan Archive here. As a result, the church's interior isn't open to general visitors the way the cathedral or other Old Town churches are — worth keeping in mind when planning a visit.

When should you visit?

Since there's no regular tourist access to the interior, Sant Martí Sacosta is best enjoyed as a stop on a walking route through the Barri Vell — and that works year-round. Morning and early afternoon light flatters the façade and brings out the stonework detail, and the quieter morning hours also mean less foot traffic on the narrow steps and lanes leading up to it. Spring and autumn make the uphill approach considerably more comfortable than the heat of high summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the church of Sant Martí Sacosta? The building and its annexes now house the Diocesan Seminary and Diocesan Archive of Girona, so the interior isn't generally open to visitors the way an actively toured church would be.

How old is this church? The first mentions of a church under this dedication go back to 898, and its Romanesque reconstruction began before 1064. The building took on its current Baroque appearance after 1581, under the Jesuits.

How does Sant Martí Sacosta differ from Girona Cathedral? It's a much smaller, former canonical church, today part of a seminary complex rather than an actively visited cathedral — its main appeal lies in its history and the Baroque façade seen from outside.

Why did the church change hands in the 16th century? In 1581, Pope Gregory XIII dissolved the canonry at Sant Martí and gave the building to the Jesuits, who rebuilt it and expanded it with the adjoining monastic buildings.