Canoves: Montseny Nature and Iberian History

Cànoves i Samalús is integrated into the Montseny Natural Park.

A holiday apartment in Cànoves i Samalús is one possible accommodation option for travellers; the specific choice is left to personal preferences and is not predetermined by a general recommendation, but is made individually for each stay.

Nature

With a trunk circumference of nearly 12 metres, the Castanyer Gros d'en Cuch is considered the thickest tree in Catalonia. The Masies i boscos de Samalús route passes through the La Riera district and the shady Esgarrapalls del Llop forest.

History

The church of Sant Muç was first mentioned in a document in 1077. Sant Muç is a parish church in which, despite several alterations, architectural elements from the Romanesque period of the first church building have been preserved. The present structure of the Església de Sant Andreu de Samalús was probably built in the second half of the 11th century over an older small church.

The SL-C 90 Riera de Vallfornès hiking trail passes the Romanesque ruins of Castell de Cànoves, which was classified as a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 1949. The remains of Castell de Cànoves include a distinctive pile of rubble, a wall with openings from former windows, and further high walls within the site. Puig del Castell de Samalús is an Iberian settlement extending across the hilltop.

The Roman villa of Can Martí is considered one of the oldest Roman villas in Catalonia. Several features suggest that the Iberian archaeological site at Puig del Castell de Samalús may have been the city of Lauro. The Forn ibèric de Samalús preserves the remains of a pottery kiln that was probably built and used by Iberians and the first Roman colonists in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.

Routes

The route to the Poblat ibèric de Lauro leads uphill to Puig del Castell and the Iberian settlement of Lauro. The access path to the Iberian settlement at Puig del Castell is marked, signposted and maintained. The Masies i boscos de Samalús route, by contrast, passes through La Riera and the shady Esgarrapalls del Llop forest.

Local Traditions

The Mostra del Carboneig is a biennial tradition held in honour of charcoal burners. The Festa de les Maduixes is an event centred around strawberries in which children and adults can actively participate. The Fira-Mercat de Sant Ponç offers artisanally produced foods such as honey, candied fruit, pies, cakes, artisanally produced cheese and cured meats. Medicinal and aromatic plants are offered at the Fira-Mercat de Sant Ponç. Traditional Montseny cuisine includes slow-cooked dishes made with seasonal produce from local gardens.

Other Places

Other places in the same higher-level area include Castelldefels, Fígols, Centelles, Baix Llobregat, Manlleu, El Pla Del Penedès, Torelló and Castell De L'areny.

For the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.