At the foot of the Queralt mountain range, in an enviable setting, surrounded by mountains, we find the unique city of Berga, the gateway to the Pyrenees. We begin our getaway in the old quarter of the city, discovering the medieval square of San Pere, an enclave that has provided the backdrop for the most significant political and social events in Berga. On Corpus Christi days, this square becomes the main stage for the
Patum festival, a celebration recognized as a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO and which will be held from the 29th of May to the 2nd of June this year. It’s the city’s most important festival, with over 600 years of history, and it brings together moments of mystery, joy and happiness.
We’ll take advantage of our trip to Berga to explore everything its incredible surroundings have to offer us. The Queralt sanctuary is a real must, located at the top of the Queralt mountain range, 1,200 metres above sea level. It’s a privileged viewpoint which provides a spectacular view of central Catalonia, from the peaks of Ripollès to the plains of Solsonès, framed by Guilleries, Montseny, La Mola and Montserrat. This is why it’s also called
the balcony of Catalonia. To reach the sanctuary from the car park, you can climb the 168 steps or use the inclined Queralt lift.
In the surroundings of Berga, we also find the municipalities of Avià and Cercs, two ideal locations for delving into the Romanesque past of Berguedà, the most widespread architectural and pictorial movement in Catalonia. In Avià, you can visit the Romanesque church of Santa Maria d'Avià, built in the mid-12th century, and in Cercs, the
church of Sant Quirze de Pedret, one of the most important monumental sites in Berguedà and the whole of Catalonia. The wall paintings, which are housed in the
Diocesan and Regional Museum of Solsona and the
National Museum of Art of Catalonia, are outstanding examples of pre-Romanesque painting in Western Europe.
Before our getaway comes to an end, we can also visit the
Cercs Mine Museum. This space is dedicated, in a monographic way, to coal, and will take us on an exciting journey to the heart of the earth. The mine was active for 150 years and, here, we’ll find out about the coal mining processes as well as the daily life of the miners.
An excursion proposed in collaboration with the magazine
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