Santa Maria de les Encies

Santa Maria de les Encies is a small church and shrine standing on a hill in the hamlet of Les Ències, within the municipality of Les Planes d'Hostoles, in the Garrotxa region (Girona, Catalonia). The site sits on a pass connecting the Vall d'Hostoles and the Vall del Llémena, which for centuries made it an important crossing point for travelers and pilgrims moving between the two valleys.

What is the history behind this shrine?

Records mention the shrine as early as 1155, though the current building dates from the 17th century and preserves the Romanesque roots of an earlier church on the site. The name "Encies" (Catalan "Ències") comes from the Latin word "incis," meaning a crack or fissure. This links to a local legend: in the early 12th century, a polychrome wooden image was found inside a fissure beneath the old church — the image has since been lost. A spring was said to emerge at the exact spot where the image appeared, and its waters were credited with miraculous properties, traditionally sought out by midwives and mothers.

During the 17th century the church received relics of Saints Cosmas, Damian, Eugenia and Hippolytus, and the building itself was expanded with the addition of the Chapel of the Rosary, the Chapel of Sant Isidre, a covered porch, and a bell tower. Its position astride the route between the two valleys made it a target during conflict: in 1655 the shrine was seriously looted and desecrated by French troops during the Thirty Years' War.

What can visitors see on site?

The church still reads as a rural shrine surrounded by old farmhouses (masies) that together form the tiny settlement of Les Ències. Notable features include the Chapel of the Rosary, the Chapel of Sant Isidre, the covered porch at the main entrance, and the bell tower. The hilltop setting opens up wide views over the surrounding Garrotxa valleys, which alone makes the walk worthwhile for anyone exploring inland Catalonia on foot.

Around the church, look for traces connected to the legend of the found image and its spring — local tradition still associates the water with protection for mothers and newborns.

How do you get there and when is best to visit?

Les Ències lies within the municipality of Les Planes d'Hostoles, easily reached from the town center and from the roads linking the Vall d'Hostoles with the Vall del Llémena — a route popular with cyclists and hikers exploring Garrotxa. The shrine is best visited during daylight hours, outside the peak summer heat, when the surrounding hills and woodland are at their most pleasant. The main local festivity, tied to the parish celebration, falls in early September and draws residents from the neighboring valleys.

This is a small, quiet rural shrine rather than a major tourist site with visitor infrastructure — it works best as a stop along a walking or cycling route through Garrotxa, appreciated by travelers looking for authentic, lesser-known corners of the Catalan interior.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church open to visitors? As a working parish shrine, indoor access is generally limited to Mass times and celebrations; the exterior and surroundings can be viewed year-round.

Where does the name "Encies" come from? It derives from the Latin word "incis" (crack, fissure), referring to the rock fissure where a sacred image was reportedly found in the 12th century.

What happened to the church in 1655? It was seriously looted and desecrated by French troops during the Thirty Years' War, due to its location on a strategic pass between two valleys.

When is the shrine's main festivity? The traditional local celebration takes place in early September.