Discover Oristà – Culture, Nature and Holiday Apartments

The BTT circular route starts and ends in Oristà and passes through Torre d’Oristà, Serrat Llobater, Sant Feliu Sasserra and Rocaguinarda. From exit 164 Prats de Lluçanès–Moià of the C-25 Eix Transversal, the C-670 road leads to Oristà.

Culture and History

Sant Nazari de la Garriga is a 12th-century building near Carrer de la Ruixeda that originated as a result of transhumance. The archaeological evidence at Puig Ciutat covers various phases from the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age to the Late Republican Roman period in the mid-1st century BC. During this Late Republican Roman period, Puig Ciutat may have served as a garrison or military camp, known as a praesidium. At the end of this period, the Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and the supporters of Gnaeus Pompey took place from 49 to 44 BC.

Mas Rocaguinarda is the birthplace of Perot Rocaguinarda, who was born there on 18 December 1582 and became one of the best-known bandits in the Principality of Catalonia at the beginning of the 17th century. The Església de Sant Andreu d’Oristà is a Baroque-Neoclassical church with three naves and a crypt-tribune from the former Romanesque church. The Cripta-tribuna de Sant Andreu d’Oristà is a small example of Catalan Romanesque architecture and is located inside the church on a lower level.

The Museu de Terrissa Catalana, also known as the Museu Rocaguinarda, preserves around 5,000 pieces of earthenware and ceramics from the Catalan Countries to showcase and conserve this folk tradition. The museum is divided across three floors and seven rooms. The exhibition presents the Catalan pottery tradition chronologically from the 4th to the 20th century and also includes a potter’s tools.

Festivals and Regional Traditions

The Fira d’artesania d’Oristà is held every year at the end of November on a Sunday in the town centre, mainly in Plaça Major and Plaça de l’Església. It features stalls selling handmade products and traditional handicrafts from the town, as well as from outside vendors. In some years, the Fira d’artesania d’Oristà has also included demonstrations of traditional crafts, including knife sharpening and grain milling.

The Festa Major de Sant Andreu d’Oristà takes place on the weekend close to the parish patron saint’s name day and on 30 November; the most traditional events are celebrated on that day. On 30 November, the Festa Major includes a solemn mass in the parish church of Sant Andreu d’Oristà, with the participation of singers from Oristà. The mass is followed by a traditional ham raffle.

Local Speciality

Cigró d’Oristà is a local variety of chickpea that was traditionally grown for household consumption in Oristà. The chickpea is small, very flavourful, quick to cook and has a very thin skin.

Nature and Landscape

The Riera Gavarresa crosses the municipality of Oristà from north to southwest. In Oristà, it forms several areas of landscape interest with red sandstone cliffs that have been carved into the rock over the centuries and extend along its entire course within the municipality, from the Cingles de Cabanas in the north to the Cingles de les Nou Hores in the south. Stone stepping passages make it easier to cross the river on foot, including the passages at Cabanas, Molí de la Coromina and Molí de Tornamira.

The Gorg de la Llana is a wide, almost circular natural pool on the edge of a rocky plateau. The water of the Bassí River drops vertically about four metres into the pool. The Gorg de la Llana is 400 metres from the B-433 road at kilometre point 13.300, accessible via a forest track. Traditionally, it is associated with a magical and mysterious character and with two local legends: “La fondària del gorg de la Llana” and “Quan es pon el sol al gorg de la Llana”.

From the Mirador de Sant Sebastià, you can enjoy views of the beautiful village of Oristà, the municipality’s agroforestry landscape and the course of the Riera Gavarresa, which flows down from the interior of Lluçanès. The Església de Sant Sebastià stands on a hill overlooking the village of Oristà. It is 300 metres from the B-433 road at kilometre point 9.800.

Hiking Routes

The Voltants d’Oristà route follows the course of the Riera Gavarresa, leads to the weir and crosses the stream via stone stepping stones. There is little or no mobile phone coverage along the route.

Other places: Gualba, Vilada, Folgueroles, Castellar De N'hug, Sant Andreu De Llavaneres, Santa Coloma De Cervelló, Sant Salvador De Guardiola, Bellavista

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.