Balsareny: Castle, Churches and Paths along the Séquia
The Castell de Balsareny is a Gothic civil palace dating from the 14th century, arranged around a central courtyard. The battlements of the Castell de Balsareny offer sweeping views of the Llobregat River, Balsareny, Montserrat and the Pyrenees.
Culture and History
The parish church of Santa Maria, known in Catalan as Església Parroquial de Santa Maria, is first mentioned in 1009. Towards the end of the 13th century, it was built according to Romanesque design principles and extensively remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries. Sant Esteve de la Colònia Soldevila is a Romanesque church documented in 1038; parts of the original nave and the central apse area have survived despite later Neo-Romanesque additions.
Sant Ramon de Sobirana de Ferrans has two completely independent naves, connected by a single arch; this arrangement is considered exceptional in Catalonia and beyond. Sant Vicenç de Ladernet preserves large parts of the structure and interior of a pre-Romanesque church in a wooded setting on the left bank of the Riera de Conangle stream.
La Torreta del Castell de Balsareny is a small fortification that was probably built on the slope of the castle hill in connection with the Carlist Wars of the 19th century. The Forn d'obra de les Collades is distinguished by its cylindrical shape, whereas most brick kilns are square. The Pintures del Casal Verge de Montserrat are murals by Josep Obiols in the small chapel of the Casal Verge de Montserrat.
The Ermita Santa Maria del Castell preserves the 12th-century central nave, which ends in a semicircular apse.
Waterways and Landscape
The Séquia de Manresa begins below the Castell de Balsareny at the Resclosa dels Manresans, which lies below the hill of the Castell de Balsareny; after about 600 metres, it emerges from underground into an environment characterised by riparian woodland. The Séquia de Manresa runs through the municipalities of Balsareny, Sallent, Santpedor and Sant Fruitós de Bages and reaches the Parc de l’Agulla in Manresa.
The Pont de la Via is a bridge with four arches and an approximate length of 90 metres; pavements and railings make it suitable for pedestrians.
Routes and Sightseeing
The Camí Ral leads from Balsareny Town Hall to Cal Joanic, following the old royal road. The long mountain-biking route along the Séquia is 46.8 kilometres long and extends into the municipality of Balsareny.
A geological and mining-history route runs through Balsareny, focusing on the municipality’s mining heritage. The Els Origens de la Séquia (Balsareny) route leads from the Castell de Balsareny down to the Resclosa dels Manresans and back along the Séquia.
The activity Visita al castell de Balsareny is aimed at families and adults and includes the courtyard, armoury, stately rooms, kitchen and dining room, the Baron’s room, the Tinell Hall and the cellar of the Castell de Balsareny.
Festivals and Culture
The Festa dels Traginers takes place every year on Sexagesima Sunday, that is, the Sunday before Carnival. During the Festa dels Traginers, the Torrada del Traginer is offered in the early morning; in the morning, the market, tavern and carter’s provisions shop open.
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