Sant Salvador del mas Bover

Sant Salvador del mas Bover is a small Romanesque chapel standing next to the old Mas Bover farmhouse, in the hills of the Jorba municipality within the Anoia comarca, Barcelona province. The site is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia under code ARCAT MAI-1869, though it currently holds no separate conservation protection status.

Where exactly is the chapel located?

Sant Salvador sits at roughly 544 metres above sea level, in an isolated, hilly area not far from the centre of Jorba. The approach follows a narrow, uphill dirt track, which is why many visitors choose to walk up from the parish church in town or use a 4x4 vehicle. The site's coordinates are approximately 41.607 N, 1.555 E.

What remains of the original building?

Only fragments of the chapel's walls have survived: the north wall and portions of the south and east walls. The west side was torn down when the Mas Bover farmhouse was built onto the chapel, joining the two structures into a single block until the chapel eventually fell into ruin. The north wall still shows the springing of a vault and stones that once formed part of the roof covering, and its base rests on a six-course stone socle. The entrance door faced south, and the floor plan was rectangular. The walls were built from dressed, rectangular stone blocks set in mortar. Today the ruins are heavily overgrown with vegetation and brambles. Nearby stands a covered water tank, or well, built using a corbelled vault technique typical of old rural wells in this region.

What is the history behind this place?

The chapel dates back to the 12th century and follows a late Romanesque style typical of the small rural chapels scattered across the Anoia countryside. The dedication to Sant Salvador (the Holy Saviour) is one of the most common in Catalonia, so several places in the region share the same name — this particular chapel, however, is inseparably tied to the Mas Bover farmstead in Jorba and should not be confused with other chapels or churches carrying the same dedication in neighbouring municipalities. Over time it lost its religious function, and its walls were absorbed into the farm buildings, a process that ultimately accelerated the decay of the original structure.

What else is worth seeing in Jorba?

The municipality of Jorba holds several other heritage sites listed in the same Catalan inventory, including the church of Sant Genís de Jorba and the defensive tower Torre de Joveró. Combining a visit to these landmarks gives a fuller picture of the settlement history across the hills of the Anoia comarca.

What should visitors know before going?

Sant Salvador no longer serves any tourist or religious function, so there are no opening hours or entrance fees — it is a freely accessible ruin in open countryside. Because the ground is uneven and thickly overgrown, sturdy footwear and caution are recommended while walking around the site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sant Salvador del mas Bover? It is the ruin of a 12th-century Romanesque chapel standing next to the old Mas Bover farmhouse in the municipality of Jorba.

Can the chapel be visited? Yes, it is a freely accessible ruin with no opening hours or fees, though the site is overgrown and requires some caution.

How do you get there? The best way is to walk up from the parish church in Jorba or drive a 4x4 along the uphill dirt track toward Mas Bover.

How much of the original building survives? Mainly the north wall and portions of the south and east walls remain; the west wall was demolished when the farmhouse was attached to the chapel.