“Health to those who enter, and peace to those who dwell here” echoes in my mind. Here at the Mare de Déu de la Salut, we stand at a place of solace and history. This chapel, or Santuari de la Mare de Déu de la Salut, stands at the crossroads of Carrer de la Mare de Déu de la Salut and Carrer de l’Escorial. It rests at the foot of Muntanya Pelada giving its name to the neighborhood La Salut.
Let’s step back to May 11 1864. Barcelona was in the grip of cholera outbreaks. Antoni Maria Morera i Colom initiated the building of this chapel. It was next to his summer residence Can Morera. Bishop Pantaleó Montserrat i Navarro decreed its erection. Morera acquired the image of the Mare de Déu from a Barcelona neighbor. Its sculptor remains unknown. It was likely carved in the early 19th century.
Interestingly during the chapel’s construction a potable spring of ferruginous waters emerged when a stone near the property was extracted. This spring named Font de la Salut was opened to the public but has since disappeared. Locals journeyed here by cart to drink its waters and pray to the Mare de Déu. Summer houses for Barcelona’s bourgeoisie sprung up around it. This marked the beginning of the neighborhood La Salut.
Morera himself established the dedication to the Mare de Déu de la Salut. He even wrote the goigs prayers. The first mass was celebrated here in May 1864. Every year on September 8 the neighborhood celebrates its festa major. Besides religious ceremonies there were dances theater performances contests and parades.
Tragedy struck in July 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. The chapel was burned. Yet the spirit of the community endured. On September 8 1939 the festival resumed even with the temple in ruins. Restoration began in 1945. It was reconsecrated on July 16 1945. A new bell was installed on May 20 1951. Carles Llobet i Raurich created decorative paintings unveiled on Christmas 1960. Francesc Socies i March designed a new image of the Mare de Déu to replace the destroyed original.
The temple itself measures 11 meters long and 5 meters wide. It features a single nave with a semi-circular vault and a belfry. The façade is simple with a rose window and a neo-Gothic portal. The Mare de Déu de la Salut stands as a testament to faith resilience and community.