Ermitage Sainte-Catherine de Baixas

Baixas

In the garrigue above Baixas, a low, wide chapel watches over a small group of buildings. Most hermitages in Roussillon grew out of churches of vanished parishes or castle chapels. This one seems to have been designed from the outset to house a hermit. In 1401, a text names it ‘Capella Beate Catherine de la hermita alias des Cannils’. This is an early date, since most Catalan hermitages date from the 17th century. In 1688 it appears under the name Hermita de Santa Catharina. During the Revolution it was closed, the hermit left, and in 1792 the furnishings were transferred to the church of Baixas. Reopened for worship in the 19th century, it was then restored several times, and the commune owns it. The chapel has a rectangular nave with a pointed barrel vault and a round-arched portal. The two annual masses perpetuate the memory of the former aplecs, those gatherings of faith and friendship.

Mairie de Baixas — L'ermitage Sainte-Catherine ↗

Getting there: North-west of the village, by the route de Calce (at about 1 km, take the right-hand road at the fork). It can be reached by car, but the commune recommends walking (less than 1.5 km from the village car parks). The chapel is open to the public only twice a year: on 25 November (feast of Saint Catherine) and on 5 August (village festival). The rest of the year, the surroundings can be visited.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound