PALAFRUGELL CHURCH

 

The construction of the Sant Martí de Palafrugell parish church includes different architectonic styles. It was built on top of a previous construction from the 11th century, remains of which can still be seen today. The building has a Gothic design, with Renaissance features, such as the façade, and a Baroque bell tower.  The current, central nave is the result of a remodelling which took place between 1588 and 1599. The façade was built between the 16th and 17th centuries.

 

During the 18th century, work on building the bell tower was restarted, only to be stopped because of the War of the Pyrenees (1793-1795), after which it was never completed. Also during the 18th century, a large altarpiece made of Baroque wood was built by the sculptor Pau Costa. In 1936, however, the piece was burnt when the Spanish Civil War broke out. The fire also destroyed several liturgical objects and the church’s structure suffered significant damage.

 

Once the war was over, reparation work was started, which continued until 1943. At that time, a project to decorate the inside of the church with al fresco paintings was undertaken. Guillem Soler Gavitllaró (1905-1971) was the man in charge of the job and he worked there for eight years, decorating the main altar, three chapels and the area beneath the church’s choir.