Monastery of Cellers
Sant Celdoni i Sant Ermenter de Cellers / Selers / Sallers / Sancti Celedonii / Celoni / Saldoni
(Torà, Segarra)
The toponym Cellers is documented in a donation from the year 986. The name suggests the presence at that time of monastic cells or hermitages around the old church of Sant Celdoni. This site housed the relics of the martyrs Celedonius and Emeterius, who, according to tradition, were brought here by their followers from Calahorra (La Rioja), fleeing the Arab invasion.
The monastic community of Sant Celdoni i Sant Ermenter de Cellers is first mentioned in 1038. That year, the church of Sant Martí de Cellers was donated to the monks Guillem, Sunifred, and the priest Galí, who resided at Sant Celdoni. In 1071, the monastery became a dependent priory of Sant Serni de Tavèrnoles (in Alt Urgell), and it seems that from this point on, it was organized under the Benedictine Rule. At that time, significant construction works were undertaken, lasting until the 14th century. Around the mid-14th century, the monastery entered a period of sharp decline, which worsened the already fragile state of the community; in fact, only the title of prior was retained, although no longer in residence.
In 1399, the relics of the titular saints were transferred to Cardona by Count Joan Ramon Folc. In 1593, the monastery's revenues were granted to the chapter of Solsona; until that time, it remained under the jurisdiction of Sant Serni. The church continued to function as a sanctuary and maintained strong local devotion. In 1797, a new rectory was built, and in 1898, the church was restored. The building is notable for its distinctive structure, with three apses arranged in the shape of a cross and a crypt beneath the presbytery.
Schematic plan of the church
Crypt
Photo by Jordi Jontijoch
Generalitat de Catalunya
Calahorra Cathedral
- ABAD, Josep Ignaci (s.d.). Historia dels sants martyrs Hermenter y Celdoni. Barcelona: R. Martí
- CASAS, Montserrat; OLLICH, Immaculada (1981). El monestir de Sant Celdoni i Ermenter de Cellers. Estudi històrico-arqueològic. Acta historica et archaeologica mediaevalia, núm. 2
- PLADEVALL, Antoni (1987). Sant Celoni (o Celdoni) i Sant Ermenter de Cellers. Catalunya romànica. Vol. XIII. El Solsonès... Barcelona: Enciclopèdia Catalana
- SOLER, Josefina (1961). El cartulario de Tavernoles. Castelló de la Plana
- VILLANUEVA, Jaime (1821). Viage literario a las iglesias de España. Vol. VIII. Viage a las iglesias de Vique y de Solsona. 1806 y 1807. Valencia: Oliveres
The monastery is located east of Torà, beyond the village of Cellers