Pontóns: Romanesque Architecture, Castle Ruins and Mountain Landscape

The municipality of Pontóns has a mountainous setting that distinguishes it from the other nearby towns. This landscape includes natural springs and water as defining elements, as well as historical traces found in various places throughout the municipality.

Culture and History

The chapel of Sant Joan de la Muntanya belongs to the municipality of Pontóns and was consecrated in 1075. The consecration was performed by Bishop Umbert de Cervelló of Barcelona. As a Romanesque chapel, Sant Joan de la Muntanya has a single-nave layout. Its apse is semicircular. It was built as the church of Castell Nou de Pontóns.

Mas de Pontóns is a fortified farmhouse dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is believed that Mas de Pontóns was built over the remains of the Old Castle of Pontóns. The Old Castle has been documented since the late 10th century, from 996 to 999.

The church of Santa Magdalena is also located in the municipality of Pontóns and has been documented since 1138. Its origins lie in the Romanesque period. A Romanesque baptismal font has been preserved in the church. Santa Magdalena stands in isolation on a hill. The church is 1 km from the town centre.

The Tower of Cal Rei is located in a small woodland. The remains of a fortification are situated on a plateau. This fortification probably belonged to the Old Castle of Pontóns, which is documented in the 10th century.

The hermitage of Sant Salvador is embedded in the rock face of the Sant Salvador cliffs. Its earliest known mention dates from 1319.

The historical evidence thus ranges from Romanesque religious buildings and a fortified farmhouse to the remains of a fortification. In addition to the architectural forms, the different settings are also part of the overall picture: one church stands in isolation on a hill, a tower is located in a small woodland, and a hermitage is embedded in a rock face.

Landscape

Natural springs are among the characteristic features of the municipality of Pontóns. Water is a defining element there. Remains can be discovered along hiking trails in the municipality of Pontóns. These remains are Iberian kilns.

Hiking

The ascent to Puig de les Agulles can be started from a municipal car park in the municipality of Pontóns. The summit is described as the highest in the comarca, at 841 m.

The combination of the mountainous setting, springs and hiking trails shapes the landscape just as much as the historical traces. The Iberian kilns are located along the hiking trails, while the ascent to Puig de les Agulles begins at a municipal car park.

Other Places

Other places in the wider area are Begues, Llinars Del Vallès, Tagamanent, Sant Vicenç Dels Horts, Les Corts, Torrelles De Foix, Lavit and La Palma De Cervelló.

Local Character

Bread is one of the municipality of Pontóns' significant local products.

To the wider travel overview: Barcelona.