Matadepera: La Mola, Nature Park and Sant Sebastià

Nature

Part of the municipality of Matadepera belongs to the Parc Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac, where conglomerate formations predominate. The part of the nature park within the municipality is protected as a Natura 2000 site.

Getting around

The summit of La Mola can be reached via three signposted main routes: from Coll d’Estenalles, via the Camí dels Monjos, and via Can Robert and Can Pobla. The route from Can Robert and Can Pobla joins the Camí dels Monjos in its final section; there is no road traffic up to the summit. On La Mola, a permanent exhibition covers the summit and the historic complex of the Sant Llorenç del Munt monastery.

The Ruta per la pedra seca in Matadepera is a short, leisurely circular walk through a shady ravine below Collet de Mont-rodon (618 m). It conveys an impression of the natural surroundings and the landscape’s former use by people. On signposted routes, checking current information about trail conditions is part of the usual preparation. Event dates should be checked before travelling if the visit is to coincide with the Festes de Sant Sebastià.

Culture

The Festes de Sant Sebastià are Matadepera’s most important winter festival. Preparations begin on 26 December with the selection of a pine tree, which has been one of the central elements of the festival since 1975; it is then carried to Plaça del Baldiró and erected there. On the Sunday closest to 20 January, the programme includes the Ball de l’Arbre, the Ball del Tortell, the giants’ dance and sardanas. The Ball de l’Arbre is an open circular dance performed around a pine tree erected in the middle of a square during the Festes de Sant Sebastià.

History

Lime-kiln production became Matadepera’s second most important economic resource after winegrowing. The original Sant Joan de Matadepera church, also known as Mata Xica, formed the original centre of a settlement with scattered farmhouses to the right of the Riera de les Arenes.

The Forn d’obra de Can Pobla, a brick or building-brick kiln, lies southeast of Can Pobla on the left-hand side of the path that leads around the house towards Pla dels Escorpins. Cova del Frare is located in the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif, in the Canal de Can Pobla, and is a cave formed by karstification processes in Tertiary conglomerates.

Cuisine

Tortell de Sant Sebastià is a type of fine pastry typical of Matadepera, produced year-round and acquiring special significance during the Festes de Sant Sebastià in January.

Other places: Moia, Garraf, Martorell, Navàs, Masquefa, Sabadell, Sant Marti De Tous and Lliçà D'amunt.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.