La Batllòria: Tordera Landscape, Trails and History

La Batllòria lies in the Tordera Valley between the Montseny Massif and the Montnegre mountain range. In the town centre, architectural remains from the 15th and 16th centuries have been preserved along the former Royal Road.

Culture and History

With the manor house, La Batllòria became the administrative centre of the area around Montnegre Castle at the beginning of the 16th century. Can Bruguera was built between the end of the 15th century and the 16th century and is part of the Gothic manor house of the Gualba family, the lords of Montnegre. The old El Ribot inn was already operating in 1489. Hostal Nou was opened by the Lord of Gualba at the end of the 16th century on the Camí Ral towards Hostalric. Construction of the village's own church, dedicated to Mare de Déu de l'Esperança, began in 1609.

Landscape and Trails

In the surroundings of La Batllòria lies the Les Llobateres wetland, a restored former gravel pit with a riverside landscape and an observation point for aquatic flora and fauna. The signposted Les Llobateres trail from La Batllòria is 4.5 kilometres long and has a low level of difficulty. The Fuirosos Valley begins downstream from La Batllòria. To follow the Joc dels ecosistemes de la riera de Fuirosos route, visitors must download the Natura Local app and register.

The almost circular walking route at Pla de la Ferreria follows the Camí Ral from La Batllòria, the ancient Roman Via Augusta, leading to an old inn and the forge, and follows the banks of the Tordera on the return journey. La Ferreria forge was built next to Hostal Nou; the site is now known as Pla de la Ferreria. The walk includes a viewpoint over the open river landscape along the Tordera. The Tourdera section between Sant Celoni and La Batllòria is a 6.7-kilometre route with a low level of difficulty, running parallel to the Tordera. The Tourdera section is suitable for hikers and cyclists; at Meandre del Pla de Lloró there is a short variant accessible only on foot. From the end of the Tourdera section in La Batllòria, the nearby Gualba railway station can be reached quickly.

Festivals and Events

The Festa Major de La Batllòria includes, among other activities, a fair, a Correfoc, a communal dinner, a bicycle tour, a gathering of giants, a foam party, a treasure hunt and Habaneras. La Batllòria celebrates the patron saint's festival of Mare de Déu de l'Esperança on 18 December. The Festa Major d'Hivern of La Batllòria takes place on the third weekend of December. It includes the Fira Nadalenca de l'Esperança, held since 2008, as well as the federated Enducros race, held since 2006.

Other Places

Other places to discover: Les Corts, Argençola, Tona, La Ràpita, Prats de Lluçanès, Monistrol De Montserrat, Fígols, Sant Sadurní D'anoia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.