A Volcano with a Surprise in Garrotxa: It Has a Hermitage Inside Its Crater

The Santa Margarida Volcano comes with surprises both inside and outside. Externally, it is located in the Natural Park of the Garrotxa, considered the best example of volcanic landscape in the Iberian Peninsula (with around forty volcanic cones and over 20 lava flows). Internally, it is unique for having a hermitage inside its crater.

This small hermitage of Santa Margarida de la Cot has Romanesque origins, although it was reconstructed in the 19th century. Hikers who take one of the trails leading to this volcano are surprised to find a place of worship at the center of its circular crater.

The itinerary 1 of the Natural Park leads up to this volcano and continues to the natural reserve of Fageda d'en Jordà and the Croscat volcano, the other two highlight sites in the park.

The phreatomagmatic eruptions that occurred at the Santa Margarida Volcano are responsible for creating the crater that today serves as the bed for the Santa Margarida de la Cot hermitage. Surrounding it, forests of holm oaks and mixed deciduous trees cover this spiritual volcano.

It is believed that the hermitage, which has a single nave and a semicircular apse, was built in the 12th century, precisely on the spot where the image of the saint was found in the crater of the volcano.

The legend speaks of this crater being the mouth of hell, which is why there was a call for its protection through religious images. In the earthquakes that devastated the area in 1427 and 1428, the church was destroyed, but centuries later, in 1865, it was reconstructed in its current form that can be visited today.

Like other volcanoes in the natural park, the Santa Margarida Volcano has its own Museum Space, which can be visited to learn about the important aspects of this protected area. As reported by Turisme Garrotxa, these spaces are prepared for visitors to explore, enjoy, and learn through informative displays, marked walking paths, and interpretive materials about the site.