Discover Montornès Del Vallès

Culture and history

Montornès del Vallès preserves Mons Observans, a Roman settlement built in the last third of the 2nd century BC. In 2008, Mons Observans was classified as a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN) in the archaeological site category.

The Poblat ibèric is classified as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest (BCIL). The Iberian settlement extended across a large part of the hill’s slopes in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.

Castell de Sant Miquel is a medieval fortification first mentioned in writing in 1109. Only half of the round keep remains.

Can Masferrer was initially a Roman villa and later an important medieval farmhouse. It is considered the area’s most important Renaissance building; notable features include the carved-stone windows and the portal of the small Sant Jaume chapel.

Ca l'Ametller is one of Montornès’ oldest country houses. The farmhouse has a basilica-style floor plan, and a raised coat of arms of Catalonia is located on its main round-arched door.

Ca n'Oliver probably dates from around the 16th century.

The present-day Can Bosquerons farmhouse essentially dates from the 16th century. It has been documented since 970, making it the first house in Montornès for which historical evidence exists.

Can Galbany - Can Comas Vell is a farmhouse with a basilica-style floor plan and a gabled roof. Based on its construction and the materials used, it dates from the 16th or 17th century. On the estate, in the Torrent de les Bruixes, there is a water tower probably built in the 19th century.

The Església de Sant Sadurní was probably consecrated in the 10th century. The Antigues Escoles were designed in 1884 by the architect Magí Rius and opened in 1930.

The neoclassical, rectangular building of the Antigues Escoles is crowned in the centre by a detached triangular pediment above the hipped roof. Until 1964, the Antigues Escoles were Montornès’ only educational institution.

The Torre del Telègraf was built in 1848 as a military optical telegraph facility and was used only until 1862. From 2007, Montornès municipality carried out excavation, restoration and musealisation work there, completed in April 2013. Visits to the Torre del Telègraf are available by appointment.

Parc dels Castanyers has a promenade lined with horse chestnut trees, flower beds, stone benches, a paved square and a small pond. It was formerly the private garden of the Can Parera country house; on 11 May 1986, it opened as a public park. In 1993, contemporary sculptures from the ninth edition of the annual Mont-Art exhibition were installed there.

Nature

The Besòs River begins where the Congost and Mogent rivers meet in the municipality of Montornès del Vallès. Significant riparian forests are found along the Besòs at Santa Caterina and near Can Bosquerons de Baix.

The Riu Mogent preserves remarkable biological diversity. Montornès offers hiking trails as well as a riverside path where visitors can experience the vegetation along the banks.

Hiking and sightseeing

The route from Montornès to Castell de Sant Miquel is a 5 km circular trail taking 3 hours, with 344 metres of ascent. Motorised traffic is not permitted at either of the two access points to Mons Observans.

The Refugi antiaeri de Ca l'Arnau air-raid shelter is almost 100 metres long, 15 metres deep at its final section and can accommodate 200 people. It is opened several times a year for guided and dramatised tours; school and group visits are available by appointment.

Events

The Festes de Tardor shape Montornès’ events every November and are celebrated in honour of the town’s patron saint, Sant Sadurní.

Further destinations: Calders, Gavà, Artés, La Llagosta, Viladecans, Avià, Santa Eugènia De Berga, Capolat

To the overarching travel overview: Barcelona.