Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll

The monastery of Ripoll was a key element in this task. This house was founded by Count Guifré himself (who also founded the female monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses in the same context), probably in 879, and placed under the direction of Daguí, the first abbot, until then a priest in the church of Gréixer. The first mention of the monastic establishment in Ripoll dates to 880, in a donation in his favour. The community was probably established in provisional quarters and, in 888, Bishop Gotmar of Vic was able to consecrate the first church dedicated to Santa Maria. At that time the founders, Guifré and his wife Guinedilda, formalised a financial endowment and their son Radulf, born around 882-883, also joined the community, contributing other goods. Guifré died in 897 and was buried in the monastery.

Under the protection of the count, Ripoll developed and grew richer. In addition to the community church, two more were consecrated, which probably also served the needs of the population, servants, etc. who had gathered around it. The possessions of the monastery at this time were already important and extended to other regions, in addition to Ripollès itself. In this sense, it is worth mentioning the possessions received in the mountain of Montserrat. This economic development led to the construction of a new monastic church, which was consecrated in 935.

Oliba was from a noble family, son of Count Oliba Cabreta, he resigned his position and in 1003 he joined Ripoll. In 1008 he was elected abbot of this house and of Sant Miquel de Cuixà and from 1017 he was also bishop of Vic. He was involved in a wide range of political activities, the most important was the foundation of Montserrat, which remained under the direction of Ripoll until 1402. Under Oliba's abbacy, in 1032, a new consecration of the church took place, reflecting his building activity (also in Sant Pere de Vic and Sant Miquel de Cuixà) and which meant the total reconstruction of the building. It is this church, with important transformations, destructions and restorations, that is still preserved today. Ripoll served as the count's pantheon for many years.

Following a period of tension, the abbey became independent from Marseille in 1172, which Saint Victor did not accept, leading to several lawsuits. Construction began on the present cloister. At the start of the 13th century, the monastery joined the Claustral Tarraconensis Congregation. The 14th century was marked by a decline in religious and economic life, worsened in 1290 when Ripoll’s residents looted the abbey, causing significant damage. The community lost many of its members, and its expenses and debts became overwhelming. In 1402, Montserrat was lost, and the community was further weakened by the plague and the earthquakes of 1428.