Alpens: Craftsmanship, History and Mountain Views

Alpens is recognised by the Generalitat de Catalunya as a “Point of Craft Interest”.

Culture

The Ruta de la Forja is a signposted circular route with information panels through the centre of Alpens. The Antigues escoles d’Alpens are a Modernist building. The work “El Manelic” is located on Plaça Joan Prat in Alpens.

The parish church of Santa Maria d’Alpens is a heavily altered Baroque-Neoclassical building that was rebuilt from 1708 onwards. Sant Pere de Serrallonga is a small pre-Romanesque church from the 9th century with a square sanctuary and a strongly flattened triumphal arch. Sant Pere de Serrallonga preserves two Baroque depictions of Saint Peter and Saint Mary from the 18th century. Thus, pre-Romanesque architectural elements and Baroque artworks from a later century stand side by side at this site. The different dates at Sant Pere de Serrallonga connect architectural history and artworks without assigning them to the same period of origin.

History

The Font de la Batalla d’Alpens commemorates the Battle of Alpens of 9 August 1873 during the Third Carlist War. The shot that killed Brigadier Josep Cabrinetty on 9 July 1873 is attributed to the bell tower of Santa Maria d’Alpens. Both dates belong to the historical tradition that remains present in Alpens at specific locations in the village.

The Fira de maig in Alpens takes place on the penultimate Sunday in May. It includes ironwork and a connection to the Battle of Alpens. The Festa Major of Alpens takes place on 27 September and is associated with the Dansa Alpensina, a Correfoc and a dance. Thus, the events calendar has both a fixed date in spring and a date in September, on which craftsmanship, remembrance and local festive traditions each take on different emphases.

Landscape and Trails

Sant Pere de Serrallonga stands on the Puigdon ridge and offers wide panoramic views over Lluçanès. Puigdon and Puigcornador are considered the highest peaks in the area, at elevations of 1,205 and 1,212 m. Rocadepena is a striking, wall-like rock formation on the way to the Font de Matamosses. The spatial relationships remain distinct: the panoramic view is attributed to Sant Pere de Serrallonga on the Puigdon ridge, the elevations refer to Puigdon and Puigcornador, and Rocadepena lies on the way to the Font de Matamosses.

Hiking

The Volta a Alpens begins at Plaça Major, follows yellow waymarkers and passes the church of Santa Maria with its bell tower.

To the overarching travel overview: Barcelona.

Find more destinations here: Sant Pol De Mar, Pineda De Mar, Talamanca, Olost, Carme, Caldes De Montbui, Lliçà de Vall and Torrelavit.