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All Spain Sant Quirze Safaja Church of Sant Miquel del Fai

Church of Sant Miquel del Fai

An enchanting monastery in the Spanish countryside appears lifted from a fantasy tale.

Sant Quirze Safaja, Spain

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Sant Miquel del Fai   Elmoianes/CC BY-SA 3.0
Sant Miquel del Fai   Elmoianes/CC BY-SA 3.0
Sant Miquel del Fai   Eric López Contini/CC BY-SA 2.0
  scamb66 / Atlas Obscura User
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Church bell   Enric / CC BY-SA 3.0
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  Enfo / CC BY-SA 3.0
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About

Chiseled out of the cliffside in Cataluña, Spain, this gorgeous monastery overlooks a plunging vista complete with a waterfall that runs straight through the architecture. 

Ancient monasteries are often beautiful, whether still working or lying in ruin. But the church at Sant Miguel del Fai is otherworldly in its setting. Masterfully carved out of solid rock on the face of a cliff, this nearly hidden place of worship has one of the best views in Spain.

As a rushing waterfall tumbles hundreds of feet into the emerald pool below, it's hard not to imagine visiting (or living in) this place and easily attaining the peace and tranquility perpetually sought by the most devout religious groups and monks.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Cliffs Waterfalls Monasteries Religion Architecture Sacred Spaces Water

Know Before You Go

The monastery is currently closed for renovations, and the reopening date is unknown. Currently there is no access to the site and the main entry is chained.

Community Contributors

Added By

serflac

Edited By

scamb66, vturiserra, SkareMedia, Blindcolour...

  • scamb66
  • vturiserra
  • SkareMedia
  • Blindcolour
  • Pinya3
  • Meg
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

August 13, 2011

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  • https://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_directory/catalonia/sightseeing/sant_miquel_del_fai
Church of Sant Miquel del Fai
San Miguel Del Fai
Sant Quirze Safaja
Spain
41.715992, 2.190324
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