Sant Elm Hermitage

Avinguda Sant Elm, 12 | 17220 Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona
Coordinates: 41.7746260000, 3.0274070000 (map)

The hermitage of Sant Elm (Ermita de Sant Elm), a patron saint of all seafarers, appeared in Sant Feliu de Guíxols in 1452 next to the fortress that had been built two and a half centuries earlier, in 1203.

Both structures were completely destroyed during the war with France at the end of the 17th century. In 1723, a new chapel was erected in place of the ruins, dedicated both to Saint Elm and the Virgin Mary in her role as the protectress of travellers (Nostra Senyora de Bon Viatge). This historic and cultural monument acquired its present look during the restoration completed in 1993.

Ferran Agulló i Vidal, poet and publicist, is regarded as the first to have ever used the adjective brava (from Catalan and Spanish: brave, courageous, wild) in describing the local coast. The story goes that the idea occurred to him while he was standing next to the hermitage of Sant Elm, admiring the panoramic views. On September 29, 1963, the municipality installed a memorial stone next to the hermitage to commemorate the author of the Costa Brava brand.

Address: Avinguda Sant Elm, 12 | 17220 Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona