Sant Pere de Comalats

Sant Pere de Comalats is a small hamlet within the municipality of Copons, in the Anoia region of Catalonia. Built around a Romanesque chapel dedicated to Saint Peter, it is one of those quiet corners of inland Catalonia where the past is measured in centuries rather than years.

What is the history behind this place?

The settlement grew out of a medieval "sagrera" — a protected zone drawn around a church where local people could take refuge with their belongings in troubled times. The chapel of Sant Pere once belonged to the territory of the castle of Copons, in an area known as Comalats, which explains the settlement's full name.

The earliest documented chapter of this story dates back to the year 1020, when Guifred de Balsareny — the nobleman credited with repopulating this land — transferred the estate of Copons castle to his wife, Ingilberga. She later bequeathed a field to the church of Sant Pere de Copons in her will. It is largely thanks to these early records that the name "Copons" came to overshadow the older name "Comalats," which does not actually appear in written sources until the 12th century.

What does the hamlet look like today?

Most of the houses visible today date from the mid-18th century — modest stone buildings typical of rural Catalonia, clustered around the chapel. The place went through a long stretch of abandonment: at some point in the 20th century the settlement was left empty and stayed that way until the 1970s. The tide turned in the 1980s, when new owners began restoring the old houses and families started moving back in, bringing the hamlet back to life.

How do you get to Sant Pere de Comalats?

The hamlet sits within the municipality of Copons, deep in the Anoia comarca, roughly an hour's drive from Barcelona toward the Catalan interior. A car is the practical way to get there — local roads connect Copons with the surrounding towns, but there is no direct public transport link to the settlement itself. It works well as a stop on a longer route through Anoia's smaller villages and rural architecture.

What will you see on site?

The centerpiece is the chapel of Sant Pere itself — a small Romanesque building that recalls a time when community life in Catalan villages was organized around parish churches. Around it stands a modest cluster of 18th-century houses, giving a sense of how rural life here unfolded over the centuries. There are no crowds or visitor infrastructure — the appeal lies in the authenticity and quiet of the place.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is essentially an open rural site with no covered attractions, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when temperatures inland are mild and the hills of Anoia look their best. Summers can get hot and winters cold and windy, though the chapel and the surrounding houses can be viewed year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Sant Pere de Comalats mean? It combines the church's dedication — Sant Pere, Saint Peter — with Comalats, the older name for the area that once belonged to the castle of Copons.

Is the hamlet still inhabited? Yes, though not continuously — after being abandoned until the 1970s, the houses have been gradually restored and repopulated by new families since the 1980s.

What was a "sagrera"? It was a medieval protected zone around a church where local residents could seek safety — a common institution in Catalan villages of that era.

Is it worth combining a visit with other sites in Copons? Yes — the municipality of Copons has several related landmarks tied to the history of its old castles and churches, making it easy to build a short themed route around the Anoia region.