Sant Cugat, nestled between the mountain ranges of Collserola and Galliners, in Vallès Occidental, offers an attractive range of heritage, from the Roman era to modernity. Originally a Roman fortress located next to the road that connected Barcelona to Terrassa, the
monastery was built in this same area from the 9th century. Due to the lengthy building process, we can find Carolingian, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements. The
Romanesque cloister stands out, with 144 capitals decorated with iconography of biblical scenes, mythological beings and even a self-portrait of the sculptor and master builder Arnay Cadell.
Torre Negra is another building linked to the monastery. This imposing fortified house built using dark stone –hence its name–, originates from the fortress constructed in 1145 to defend the territory of the monastery. Another place where you can truly feel the weight of history is the
chapel of Sant Domènec, a small building that was the backdrop to the battle of Sant Cugat on October 12, 1808, during the French War, when several French detachments were defeated in the area. After the battle, and right up until the 20th century, a meeting was held at the chapel every “Day of Pilar” to commemorate the victory.
Modernism can also be found in San Cugat in the form of a
wine cellar. The wine cooperative commissioned Cèsar Martinell to lead the project, a specialist in the construction of cooperative wineries. Unfortunately, due to a lack of budget, the original design could not be completed and, from the initial project, only the production room was constructed. Another visit of artistic interest is the
Centre Grau-Garriga d’Art Tèxtil Contemporani, where we can find textile art by members of the Catalan School of Tapestry, such as Josep Grau Garriga and his protégée Dolors Oromi.
Another way to connect with the history of Sant Cugat and the country is by paying a visit to the
Centre de Restauració de Béns Mobles de Catalunya, a space that promotes the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. The visits show us how the restoration processes of heritage works are carried out.
If you’re visiting the city with your family, you can choose between various activities and themed itineraries at the Sant Cugat Museum and Tourist Office that will allow you to discover spaces like the
Comic Museum and the
Cal Gerrer House Museum.
A proposal brought to you in collaboration with
Descobrir magazine.
