Sant Pere de les Botxes

Sant Pere de les Botxes is a ruined medieval chapel in the municipality of Òdena, in the Anoia comarca of Barcelona province, Catalonia, listed as a cultural asset of local interest (BCIL, IPAC reference 5865).

Where exactly are the ruins?

The remains stand in open, undeveloped countryside near the hamlet of Les Malloles, some distance from the centre of Òdena — a small town that grew up beneath the hill carrying the remains of its medieval castle, not far from Igualada, the main town of the Anoia comarca. Reaching the site means driving along local roads through farmland, well away from the busier tourist routes, so visitors tend to be people specifically interested in Romanesque architecture or local history rather than casual sightseers.

What survives of the building?

What remains is a single nave closed by a semicircular apse facing east, a layout typical of small rural churches in this part of Catalonia. The structure measures 9.30 metres long by 4.40 metres wide. The entrance sits on the south wall, and a window survives in the apse, once lighting the chancel. The walls were built using the dry-stone technique, with roughly dressed sandstone blocks.

How well preserved is it today?

Not well. The roof has disappeared entirely, and both the apse and the south wall are badly damaged. Illegal digging has added to the damage — a hole cut into the floor has exposed the foundation of the former altar. With no roof and no ongoing conservation work, the walls continue to suffer from exposure to rain, wind and sun.

Why is it worth a visit?

Sant Pere de les Botxes is a good example of the plain, rural religious architecture once common across central Catalonia — built without ornament, from local stone, to serve a small farming community. For anyone exploring Anoia, it offers a chance to see a ruin in its natural, unmanaged setting, away from crowds, and to pair the visit with a look at Òdena itself and the castle overlooking the town.

When and how should you visit?

Since the ruins sit in open countryside with no visitor facilities, the site is best seen during daylight hours in the drier months — spring or autumn, when the surrounding fields aren't overgrown and the heat isn't a problem for walking. Sturdy shoes are a good idea, since the approach crosses farmland. Òdena and the neighbouring villages of the Anoia comarca hold plenty of other traces of the region's medieval past, so a stop at Botxes can easily be combined with a visit to Òdena Castle or a walk through the town itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sant Pere de les Botxes? The ruins of a small medieval chapel in the municipality of Òdena, protected as a cultural asset of local interest.

Where is it located? In open countryside near the hamlet of Les Malloles, in the Anoia comarca of Barcelona province.

Can visitors get close to it? Yes, the ruins stand outdoors and can be viewed up close, though there are no visitor facilities or marked trails on site.

What condition is the building in? Poor — the roof is gone and the apse and south wall are badly deteriorated, partly due to illegal digging at the site.