Patrimoni cultural

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.

During the 11^th  and 12^th centuries, a set of churches were built in the Vall de Boí following a model from northern Italy: the Lombard Romanesque. Slender bell towers, careful stone work, decorated exteriors with blind arcades and Lombard bands... This unity of architectural style has characterised these temples and this year marks twenty-five years since they were recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
 
The Romanesque complex of the Vall de Boi is made up of the churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria de Taull, Sant Joan de Boí, Santa Eulàlia d’Erill la Vall, Sant Feliu de Barruera, la Nativitat de Durro, Santa Maria de Cardet, Assumpció de Cóll and the hermitage of Sant Quirc de Durro.
 
The church of Sant Climent de Taüll is perhaps one of the best known as it has the image of Christ in Majesty of Taüll which has made it renowned and has been used to represent the Catalan Romanesque. Although the original now stands in the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC), you can still see a section of the deep layer of the original in the temple along with other fragments of original painting, a highlight being the scene of Cain and Abel, as well as an image recreation of what the apse was like in the 12^th century.
 
Out of these churches, Santa Maria de Cardet has one of the most spectacular apses of the set. It’s also the only one with a belfry, a result of the baroque transformations that it underwent over time.
 
For a truly immersive experience and to travel back in time, visiting the Romanesque Centre of Vall de Boí, in Erill la Vall, is a real must. Thanks to the virtual reality experience The eyes of history, you can delve into the art and history of these temples while also discovering the nature, religion and medieval society that shaped this exceptional heritage.
 
You can round off your visit with hiking trails that frame art in the nature that hosts it. There are routes that run along historical paths and connect the villages in the valley, even some abandoned ones, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the landscape all year round. And after all that walking, there’s nothing better than relaxing in the Caldes de Boí Balneari Thermal Resort. Located at an altitude of 1470 metres, it has 37 thermal springs.


A proposal brought to you in collaboration with Descobrir magazine.