Baroque – Saint Ignatius route
A route for discovering the city's main Baroque buildings and the great Baroque sculptural school of Manresa. It starts from the museum (Baroque collection) and visits the most important buildings in the city: Saint Ignatius' Cave, the City Hall, the Courthouse, the Baroque mansions...
Saint Ignatius route
This is the route that traditionally goes to the so-called Saint Ignatius sites, which recall the episodes of the Saint's stay in Manresa. The most important places are included in the medieval and Baroque routes: La Guia Cross, Old Bridge, La Seu, Chapel of Sant Ignasi Malalt, La Gallina Well, El Rapte Chapel and Saint Ignatius' Cave. The route continues along Carrer de Santa Clara towards El Tort Cross, the Convent of Santa Clara, La Culla Cross and the Sanctuary of La Salut at Viladordis. You can download the attached leaflet to follow Saint Ignatius route.
Rapte Chapel
Place where Saint Ignatius had a mystical rapture (13th-20th century). This chapel was rebuilt after the Civil War. In Saint Ignatius' times, this place was part of the old Hospital of Santa Llúcia, where the saint was staying.
Saint Ignatius' Cave
This is one of the greatest Baroque art monuments in Catalonia. The building was put up right on top of the cave where, according to tradition, Saint Ignatius wrote the Spiritual Exercises. The 18th century church is one of the most notable examples of Jesuit architecture. Inside, the ante-cave and the cave form a singular space that is impressive because of its rich decoration, with a look similar to Modernism and with outstanding sculptures and mosaics.
Ca l'Asols
18th century Baroque mansion. This large building is one of the mansions that has been preserved from the Baroque period. It was built in 1789, as can be read on the door lintel. A typical shrine can be seen still preserved in the façade.
Court House
This was built in the second half of the 17th century on the site of a building called the Casa del Comú. Its most notable features include the elegant Renaissance façade (developing towards early Baroque), with decoration by the Manresa sculptor Francesc Grau. The building, in a sober style, is inspired by the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government in Barcelona. Since the 18th century it has been the Court House. It was remodelled inside in the 19th century.
Ca l'Oller
18th century Baroque mansion. The building's façade is the backdrop to one of Manresa's most typical squares: La Plana de l'Om, so called because of the elm tree that was here for many years. The building, a typical Baroque mansion from the 18th century, consists of a central courtyard covered with a dome and a lantern.
Caixa Manresa Foundation Building
17th century Baroque façade. It is now the headquarters of the Caixa Manresa Foundation. The outstanding feature is the Baroque decoration on the balcony, with an inscription from 1673. An important dynasty of Baroque sculptors lived and worked in this house: the Graus.
City Hall
Building constructed in the mid-18th century giving the Plaça Major in the city its character. The most notable feature is the façade, with a portico of Gothic tradition and the arms of the city. In 1892, the famous Manresa Regulations were approved in the council chamber: the first constitutional formula of political Catalan nationalism.
Chapel of Sant Ignasi Malalt
During his stay in Manresa, Saint Ignatius was ill and was taken in at the house of the Amigant family. A chapel was later built there, opened in 1703 and renovated in 1778.
La Gallina Well
This is traditionally associated with a miracle by Saint Ignatius. According to local tradition, a miracle took place in 1602 by intercession of the saint. A fourteen-year-old girl was given a hen to care for by her stepmother, but it fell in the well and died. After she implored Saint Ignatius, the hen revived. In the 18th century, a chapel was built beside the well, dominated by an altarpiece referring to the miraculous event.
Suanya House
18th century Baroque mansion. This was built in 1774. The interesting decoration on the edges of the balconies can be seen. In around 1860, it was made higher, with a new floor.
Torres de Bages-Argullol House
18th century Baroque mansion. The construction date is carved on the edge of the central balcony: 1773. The rooms inside were decorated in the 19th century with themes including the presence of the god Mercury, exalting the ideals of the house.
Alberg (former Carme cloister)
Remains of the 18th century Neoclassical cloister. It was later a military barracks.
El Tort Cross
Saint Ignatius often used to stop here to pray. Some claim that he had visions here. It is identified with the cross on the saint went to pray after the episode of the Most Excellent Enlightenment. The cross was the subject of popular veneration.
Remei Chapel
17th-century chapel.
Church of Sant Francesc
Church of a former monastery, build in the 17th century and remodelled in the 19th century.
Guia Cross
According to tradition, Saint Ignatius had a revelation here.
County Museum
Set in the building of the former college of Sant Ignasi (18th century) it is outstanding for its splendid collection of Baroque art (with the most important collection of sculpture from this period in Catalonia). You can also see so-called Manresan ceramics: a collection arising from the first important find made in Catalonia of decorated medieval ceramics, characterised by their green and mulberry colours. Other interesting sections are archaeology, art from the 10th-16th century and Modern painting.
