Convent of Sant Domènec de Girona

Sandwiched between the Gironella tower and Sant Martí Sacosta, this is a monastic temple founded in 1253, presided over by the Gothic church. It has been refurbished in recent years to adapt it to the functions of the University of Girona, which has made it a part of the neo-Romanesque building of the Faculty of Arts.

Located at the highest point of the walled area, enclosed between the Gironella tower and Sant Martí Sacosta Church, stands the monastery of Sant Domènec, a monastic place of worship founded in 1253 by Bishop Berenguer of Castellbisbal.

The monastery building is overlooked by the Gothic church, which is dedicated to the Annunciation. To see the interior you must go up the flight of stone steps that ascend to the window.

The church has a single very large nave, with side chapels between the buttresses and no transept, as is characteristic of buildings from the High Middle Ages, excepting the triple apse. The interior and the chapels at the sides were adorned with Baroque features in the 18th century.

The building has two cloisters : the first is completely Gothic and has two arches; the lower gallery is supported by twin columns and upper one has a Renaissance air (16th century). The other cloister, Romanesque, which is in worse condition, is in the monastery garden. Some pillars, columns and semicircular arches still remain from the arbour that stood in the centre.

Monks who lived in the monastery of Sant Domènec include the inquisitor Nicolau Eimeric (1320-1399) and Saint Dalmau Moner (1291-1341).

The monastery, declared an Historical Artistic Monument of National Interest, has been refurbished in recent years to for use by the University of Girona, which has annexed it to the neo-Romanesque building of the Faculty of Arts.