Hidden amidst the modern buildings of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge whispers tales of centuries past. The Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. Its story begins in the 10th century with a woman named Amalvigia. Her name, of Visigothic origin, graces the earliest records of the land. A document from 995 describes her estate, situated along an old river course known as Llobregadell. The estate even had a ditch for drainage.
By 1057, the estate, now called “mansum de Malvige”, was sold for 30 gold ounces. The feudal system of the time dictated that tithes be paid to the Barcelona cathedral, and the first fruits of the harvest offered to the local parish of Santa Eulàlia de Provençana. Intriguingly, the document included “with its church” in the sale. This marks the first mention of what is today known as the Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge. Originally, it served as the estate’s private chapel. Excavations around the Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge in the late 1970s unearthed the original 11th-century church four meters below the present structure. Its Romanesque style mirrored that of the nearby Santa Eulàlia de Provençana. As expected, burials dating back to around 1100 were found near the church walls, in the apse area.
The name of the site evolved. The name “Malvitge” appeared in 1179. By 1279, documents referred to it as “Benvige.” This shift reflects the changing connotations of “mal” (bad) and “ben” (good) in religious contexts. The 13th century saw further variations: “Belvige” and “Benvija.” “Bellvige” appeared by 1375. So the neighborhood’s name originated from a church, which took its name from a woman, Amalvigia. Records from 1375 show a hermit residing in a nearby building. He maintained the church in exchange for the right to cultivate the surrounding land. His family lived with him. This residence eventually grew into a small farmhouse by the early 20th century. The Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge as we see it today likely dates back to a Gothic reconstruction in 1493. The city of Barcelona provided the necessary stone.
The church’s connection to Barcelona ran deep. The Virgin of Bellvitge was venerated in chapels on Barcelona’s Hospital and Espaseria streets. Annual pilgrimages from these chapels joined others originating from L’Hospitalet and surrounding areas. Some documents call the Virgin “advocate against the plague,” suggesting a surge in devotion during the 17th century. Confraternities dedicated to her emerged. These pilgrimages continued until the neighborhood’s development. Those around September 8th, the feast day of the Virgin of Bellvitge, were especially significant, documented from the early 18th century. Some twenty “goigs” (songs of praise) were composed and published. The Ermita de Santa Maria de Bellvitge has weathered many storms. It was sacked by Castilian troops in 1652 during the siege of Barcelona and again in 1697 and during the War of the Spanish Succession by French and Bourbon forces. Each time, it rose from the ashes. The current structure dates from a 1718 reconstruction. Atop the old foundation, a new church was built. It featured the then-fashionable Baroque facade. The bell tower stood behind, and the hermit’s house abutted the south wall.