Sant Esteve, Banyoles Sant Esteve, Banyoles Sant Esteve de Banyoles is a Benedictine monastery in Banyoles, Pla de l'Estany, Catalonia, Spain. It was declared as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional landmark in 1973. The monastery was founded before 812. The monastery was founded before 812. The first record of a document written in the monastery is dated 822 by the abbot, Bonitus. Bonitus' successor was Abbot Mercoral. The first inhabitants of Banyoles settled around the monastery and remained for centuries under the feudal power of the abbot. The buildings of the monastery were destroyed several times throughout its history. The architectural group that
Lake of Banyoles kn further south, was formerly the largest lake in the area until it was drained in 1851. There are both native and introduced fish species in the lake, like carp, "gardí", "bavosa de riu", sunfish, tench, black bass and eel. It is known that other fishes like pike, bullhead catfish ("peix gat") and goldfish were introduced in the 19th century, but no specimens of those species have been found in recent surveys in the lake. This lake became famous as the rowing location for the Barcelona Olympics 1992 and the World Rowing Championships in 2004. It is also a popular