Gironella: Old Town, History and Walking Tours

In Gironella, the Antiga Farmàcia Homs stands as a 19th-century pharmacy at its original location. Miquel Homs i Quer, a pharmacist from Cardona, founded it in 1877; to this day, it retains the same appearance it had at that time.

Culture

Gironella’s old town is a group of streets and buildings on the hill surrounding the church and castle. It can be accessed from several points, including via the Pont Vell and the ascent along the town wall.

The Pont Vell is originally a Gothic bridge, only part of which remains; the present-day bridge was built in several construction phases. It has been documented since the 14th century. According to a testamentary bequest, it was reportedly under construction in 1369. Of the Pont del diable de Cal Bassacs, only part of the eastern end also remains.

The Torre de l’Amo de Viladomiu Nou was inaugurated in 1902 as the owners’ temporary residence. Its Modernist design combines elements from different styles: the masonry of the walls is combined with brick and stone, and metal supports were also used.

The visit to the Torre de l’Amo de Viladomiu Nou is designed as an immersive historical experience, with rooms, projections, lifelike portraits and mirrors illustrating life at the beginning of the 20th century in an industrial colony.

Casa Teixidor Bassacs houses a permanent exhibition on the history of industrialisation in Berguedà in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its main themes include the textile industry, mining, the narrow-gauge railway and rural life.

Sant Marc de Cal Bassacs is a single-nave church built onto a rock at the chancel end; the rock serves as the apse. At the opposite end there is a porch or atrium.

The Vot de Poble in Sant Marc de Cal Bassacs takes place on 25 April, the feast day of Saint Mark. It includes a mass with the singing of the Goigs, the blessing of the municipal area and, afterwards, the distribution of Coca with chocolate and usually an orange as well.

The Ball de l’Almorratxa, also known as the Ball de la Torratxa, is a variation of the Ball Cerdà. Its origins are associated with a wedding from the feudal period; it is performed during the Festa Major de Gironella. The dance is currently performed twice a year: on Saturdays as part of the Festival de Dansa Folklòrica and on Sundays during the Festa Major de Gironella.

Routes and Walking Tours

The Ruta del modernisme is a walking route through Gironella’s old town and along Avinguda de Catalunya. It includes the first twelve signposted buildings and, as its final three stops, the textile colonies of Cal Bassacs, Viladomiu Vell and Viladomiu Nou.

“El fil de la història” is a historical walking tour through Gironella’s old town. Using a textile-history theme, it links the Middle Ages, the modern era and industrialisation. The tour begins at the Centre d’Interpretació Històric at C/Pont Vell 19, which also serves as the tourist information office today.

The Ruta de les colònies begins in Cal Metre and ends in Viladomiu Nou. Gironella also has two permanent orienteering courses: one in the town centre and another in the sports area and Cal Ramons.

The Ruta de les fonts offers panoramic views of the municipality of Gironella from several points.

Other places on this destination page: Sant Vicenç de Castellet, Vallromanes, Olvan, Malla, Granera, Martorell, Capellades, Sant Pere Sallavinera.

Local

Escudella de blat de moro escairat is considered a typical dish of Gironella.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.