Olesa de Bonesvalls: Nature and Cultural Heritage

Part of the municipal area of Olesa de Bonesvalls lies within Parc del Garraf.

Nature

Pont Natural de l'Arcada is a rock arch from the Cretaceous period, approximately four metres high and approximately seven metres wide. Among other species, holm oaks, Aleppo pines, asparagus plants, blackberry bushes and wild olive trees grow around this rock arch. Avenc de l'Esquerrà is located in Parc del Garraf and at the same time within the municipal area of Olesa de Bonesvalls. It is considered the deepest cave in Massís del Garraf.

The natural attractions include a distinctive rock arch, the cave and the landscape of Parc del Garraf. At Pont Natural de l'Arcada, the approximate dimensions of the rock arch meet characteristic vegetation consisting of trees, shrubs and other plants. At Avenc de l'Esquerrà, its classification as the deepest cave in Massís del Garraf remains linked to its location within the municipal area and in Parc del Garraf.

Culture and History

Hospital de Cervelló is a complex enclosed by a wall, comprising the hospital building, a keep, the Santa Maria de l'Anunciata chapel, as well as further extensions and outbuildings. The structure belongs to the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Hospital de Cervelló was extensively remodelled in the 16th and 17th centuries. Guillem de Cervelló founded it in 1262 to accommodate pilgrims travelling along the old road from Barcelona to Vilafranca del Penedès.

Església de Sant Joan is a Neoclassical church dating from 1777. Its origins go back to the Romanesque period. Església de Sant Joan in Olesa de Bonesvalls was already mentioned in a parish document in 1183. Inside are altarpieces in two styles: a Baroque altarpiece and predominantly Neoclassical altarpieces.

At Hospital de Cervelló, the building history can be seen in several components of the same complex: in addition to the hospital building, the walled complex includes the keep, the chapel and further outbuildings. Its foundation in 1262 also points to its earlier function for pilgrims travelling along the old road between Barcelona and Vilafranca del Penedès. At Sant Joan, by contrast, the reference from 1183, the church dating from 1777 and the various altarpieces represent several historical layers.

More destinations

For further searches: Castellet i la Gornal, Mediona, Pujalt, Sant Marçal, Teià, Castellar De N'hug, Roda De Ter, Vallromanes

Visits and excursions

The Punt d'Informació Turística d'Olesa de Bonesvalls is located at Plaça de la Creu d'Olesa. Visits to Hospital de Cervelló and the Centre de Documentació i Interpretació d'Espeleologia can be reserved and arranged there. The Centre de Documentació i Interpretació d'Espeleologia offers guided tours of the permanent exhibition and an audiovisual offering. On weekends and public holidays, visiting hours are scheduled from 10:00 to 14:00. The Grup de Recerca Olesa Rural organises monthly excursions to explore the area and the cultural heritage of Olesa de Bonesvalls.

The information point therefore brings together arrangements for visits to two different places: the historic Hospital de Cervelló and the Centre de Documentació i Interpretació d'Espeleologia. At the Centre, audiovisual content is also part of the guided offering alongside the permanent exhibition. Visitors planning a visit on a weekend or public holiday will find the scheduled morning time slot from 10:00 to 14:00. The monthly excursions organised by the Grup de Recerca Olesa Rural complement these scheduled visits with a recurring opportunity to discover the area and cultural heritage of Olesa de Bonesvalls.

For the overall travel overview: Barcelona.