Sant Pere de Bell-lloc

Sant Pere de Bell-lloc is a historic manor house and former castle in the municipality of la Roca del Vallès, in the Vallès Oriental region of Catalonia. The site brings together the remnants of a medieval fortification, a Romanesque church, and a later conversion into a chapel and residence, making it one of the more layered architectural stories in the region.

What is the history behind this place?

The castle of Bell-lloc is first documented in 1073, pointing to early medieval origins. Not long after, likely in 1099, a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Peter (Sant Pere) was built on the estate — the source of the site's current name.

In 1117 the castle's owners, Gausbert de Bell-lloc and his wife Rolanda, handed over the castle's domain to the monastery of Sant Pau del Camp in Barcelona, tying the estate's fortunes to that religious community for nearly two centuries. The arrangement reversed in 1314, when Simó de Bell-lloc recovered full ownership of the castle, taking it out of the monastery's hands.

A turning point came in 1460, when the castle was destroyed during the War of the Remences, the peasant uprising against the feudal system that shook Catalonia in the 15th century. The ruins survived long enough to be given a new purpose in the early 18th century: between 1704 and 1706, Ramon de Bell-lloc i Macip converted the surviving keep into a chapel dedicated to Saint Paul (Sant Pau).

The estate suffered another blow in 1808, during the Peninsular War, when the building was destroyed again — this time it was never rebuilt in its original defensive form. The Romanesque church, already mentioned in 1099, survived these upheavals and was restored in 1869; today it forms an integral part of the residential complex.

The Bell-lloc family held the estate continuously until 1944. Ownership then passed through several institutions, including savings banks, before the company Parc de Belloch, S.L. took over in 2003.

What will you see on site?

Visitors today find a complex where different eras overlap: the remains of a medieval tower adapted into a chapel, a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Peter following its 19th-century restoration, and residential elements built into the former defensive structure. The site sits within the municipality of la Roca del Vallès, surrounded by the gentle hills and farmland typical of Vallès Oriental, which adds to the appeal of any visit to the area.

How do you get there?

Sant Pere de Bell-lloc lies within la Roca del Vallès, a town in the Vallès Oriental region, easily reached from both Barcelona and Girona. Traveling by car is the most practical option, allowing you to combine the visit with other nearby heritage sites along the region's scenic routes. Since the property has been privately owned since 2003 (Parc de Belloch, S.L.), it's worth checking current access conditions before planning a visit, as public access may be limited.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions in Vallès Oriental, with mild temperatures and the surrounding fields and hills at their most scenic. Summers in Catalonia can get quite hot, which may make longer walks around the area less comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sant Pere de Bell-lloc? It is a former castle, now a residential estate, in the municipality of la Roca del Vallès, which also includes a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Peter and a chapel built from the converted defensive tower.

How old is the site? The castle is first documented in 1073, and the Romanesque church was likely built around 1099.

Has the castle survived in its original form? No — it was destroyed in 1460 during the War of the Remences and again in 1808 during the Peninsular War. The surviving tower was converted into a chapel between 1704 and 1706.

Who owns the property today? Since 2003 the estate has belonged to the company Parc de Belloch, S.L. Before that, it remained in the hands of the Bell-lloc family until 1944.