Sant Silvestre del Mor

Sant Silvestre del Mor is a small stone church standing on the slopes of the Serra del Mor, in the municipality of Sant Ferriol, in the Garrotxa region of Girona province. Also known as Sant Silvestre d'Almor, the building sits between the hamlets of La Miana and Sant Ferriol, off the region's main tourist routes, making it a rewarding stop for travelers looking for medieval Catalonia away from the crowds.

Where is the church of Sant Silvestre del Mor located?

The church stands on high ground within the Serra del Mor, inside the municipality of Sant Ferriol, one of Garrotxa's smaller municipalities, known for its rolling countryside and scattered rural settlements. Its coordinates are roughly 42.1817 N, 2.6547 E. Access is via local roads connecting Sant Ferriol with the surrounding hamlets, and the final stretch usually has to be covered on foot along a farm track.

What is the history behind the church?

The earliest record dates to the 10th century

The church first appears in written sources in 977, under the Latin name "Sancti Silvestri de Mauro." At that time, Bishop-Count Miró granted it to the Monastery of Santa Maria de Besalú. Twenty-one years later, in 998, Pope Gregory V confirmed that donation - a sign of how significant the church already was within the holdings of one of the region's leading monasteries.

From a Romanesque chapel to Baroque alterations

The building standing today dates mainly from the 12th century and originally followed a classic Romanesque layout: a single nave closed by a semicircular apse. During the 18th century, however, the church underwent substantial Baroque remodeling that obscured much of its original Romanesque character. Traces of both periods are still visible in the structure - the plain Romanesque plan beneath later Baroque additions.

What condition is the church in today?

For many years, Sant Silvestre del Mor suffered from serious structural decay, and part of the building had partially collapsed. That changed in 2020, when the Diputació de Girona, the provincial council of Girona, carried out restoration work that halted the ongoing deterioration. While the church has not been fully rebuilt, its condition is now considerably better than before the intervention, and it is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.

Why is Sant Silvestre del Mor worth a visit?

This is a destination for travelers who value quiet, lesser-known heritage sites and open views over Garrotxa's hills more than crowded, well-known landmarks. A walk to the church is usually combined with exploring the surrounding hamlets and farmland typical of rural Catalonia. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, since the last part of the approach runs through open countryside on an unpaved path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the church of Sant Silvestre del Mor? In the municipality of Sant Ferriol, in the Garrotxa region of Girona province, on the slopes of the Serra del Mor, between the hamlets of La Miana and Sant Ferriol.

How old is the church? The first written mention dates from 977, and the current building has Romanesque origins going back to the 12th century.

Is the church still in religious use? Available sources describe it primarily as an architectural heritage site undergoing conservation, rather than an active parish church.

Is the site easily accessible to visitors? It stands in open rural countryside, and reaching it usually means walking the final stretch along a local farm track.

Who carried out its restoration? The 2020 restoration work was carried out by the Diputació de Girona, the provincial council of Girona, which halted the building's ongoing deterioration.