🎄 Win a month in Italy for two — €10,000 · The Secret Italy Prize GO →
The Miracle of the Flies — Girona
← Back
Other 📍 Girona, Spain 111 views

The Miracle of the Flies

what truly sets this church apart is one of Girona’s most famous legends — the “Miracle of the Flies.” According to the tale, in the 13th century, as French forces besieged the city, they desecrated the tomb of Saint Narcís inside the basilica. Sudd...

Photo · Roberta F.

The Miracle of the Flies — Girona, Spain.

Location
Girona
Type
Other
Opening hours
Weather now
↗ Directions

About The Miracle of the Flies

The Miracle of the Flies - Girona | Secret World Trip Planner

what truly sets this church apart is one of Girona’s most famous legends — the “Miracle of the Flies.” According to the tale, in the 13th century, as French forces besieged the city, they desecrated the tomb of Saint Narcís inside the basilica. Suddenly, from the saint’s body, a swarm of aggressive black flies emerged and attacked the invaders, driving them away in terror.

The Miracle of the Flies - Girona | Secret World Trip Planner

The miracle was hailed as divine protection, and the flies became a symbol of Girona’s resilience and faith — an unlikely but enduring emblem still visible in local art and folklore.


Visiting Sant Feliu is more than just admiring architecture — it’s stepping into a story that blends faith, myth, and defiance, a place where even the smallest creatures once changed the fate of a city.

✦ Secret World · suggested day

A perfect day in Girona

Start with The Miracle of the Flies, then continue with nearby places selected by Secret World.

  1. 01
    Morning
    The Miracle of the Flies
    📍 Girona
    Start here
  2. 02
    Afternoon
    📍 0 km away
  3. 03
    Evening
    📍 0.1 km away

Collect this place

Turn places you discover into stamps in your Secret Passport.

Open Secret Passport →

Keep exploring · Girona

Frequently Asked Questions

The Miracle of the Flies is a legendary tale from the 13th century when French forces besieged Girona and desecrated the tomb of Saint Narcís inside the basilica. According to the story, a swarm of aggressive black flies suddenly emerged from the saint's body and attacked the invaders, driving them away in terror and saving the city.
The flies have become a powerful symbol of Girona's resilience and faith, representing divine protection and the city's defiance against invasion. This unlikely emblem still appears today in local art and folklore, making it an enduring part of Girona's cultural identity.
Saint Narcís's tomb is located inside the Sant Feliu basilica, the church where the legendary miracle occurred during the 13th century French siege. Visiting this basilica allows you to stand in the very place where this famous story took place.
Sant Feliu is more than just an impressive architectural site—it's a place where history, faith, myth, and local legend intersect in a compelling way. Visiting allows you to experience a story that blends defiance and spirituality, where even the smallest creatures supposedly changed the fate of an entire city.
The Miracle of the Flies is dated to the 13th century, when French forces besieged the city of Girona and desecrated the tomb of Saint Narcís within the Sant Feliu basilica. This legendary event has been commemorated in Girona's culture and folklore for nearly 800 years.

Experiences nearby · Girona

Powered by Viator

See more on Viator.com

Secret World Hidden places, real stories — plan your trip
Get the app