Sant Fruitós de Bages – Monastery, Landscape and Wine

Sant Fruitós de Bages: The first pre-Romanesque church of the Monestir de Sant Benet de Bages was consecrated in 972 together with a community of twelve monks.

History and Culture

La Sèquia is a 26-kilometre-long medieval canal built in the 14th century that passes through Sant Fruitós de Bages. La Sèquia is also included in the Inventory of the Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.

The rock paintings of Les Brucardes are protected as a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN) in the archaeological zone category; the rock art ensemble comprises 11 depictions of quadrupeds, star-shaped forms and beams. The rock paintings can be visited as part of arranged visits within the enclosed site.

La Sagrera is an architectural ensemble of houses and streets around the parish church of Sant Fruitós de Bages; its approximately circular shape historically served the function of a wall. The present-day chapel of Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria del Bages dates from the 12th century and stands on what was probably the former site of a pre-Romanesque church.

Trails and Landscape

The Anella Verda de Sant Fruitós de Bages consists of five trails through the municipality’s natural surroundings and includes more than 67 kilometres of tracks and paths.

The scenic Camí paisatgístic is just over 3 kilometres long, connects the centre of Sant Fruitós de Bages with the Monestir de Sant Benet, and can be used on foot or by mountain bike.

The El final de la Sèquia trail follows the canal through predominantly dry-farmed fields with holm oaks and oaks, and continues through vineyards.

Experiences and Events

From Barcelona Sants, Món Sant Benet can be reached by taking the RENFE commuter line R4 to Manresa, then bus line 760 to Navarcles, and from there walking for approximately 15 minutes from the stop to the monastery.

The medieval experience at the Món Sant Benet monastery conveys the history of the thousand-year-old monastery with holograms, audiovisual projections and sound effects. The modernist experience at Món Sant Benet takes visitors through the summer residence of the painter Ramon Casas and the rooms of the monastery, which was converted into a summer house for the Catalan bourgeoisie.

The Festival Internacional de Música Clàssica de Sant Fruitós de Bages has taken place since 1995; since 2016, its concerts have been held at Món Sant Benet.

Festivals, Food and Wine

The Festa de l’Arròs is a local tradition of medieval origin and was declared an event of tourist interest by the Generalitat de Catalunya on 14 March 1995. It includes Catalan folk culture activities and the distribution of 3,200 portions of rice for tasting.

The Mercat de la Terra takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beneath the Cobert de la Màquina de Batre. Farmers and producers from the surrounding area sell local produce and handcrafted products directly there; the programme also includes family workshops, cooking demonstrations, savoury breakfasts and musical vermuts.

The Fundació Alícia offers participatory workshops on cooking and healthy eating for all target groups, lasting approximately 45 minutes; advance booking is recommended.

The Museu “La memòria de la vinya i el vi” conveys the historical importance of viticulture and winemaking in the Bages plain through objects and materials related to wine culture.

Mas i Celler de Sant Iscle offers guided tours of the estate and vineyards, documented since 950, as well as tours covering the production and storage of wine in French oak barrels; the tour ends with a tasting of wines from the winery, including Blanc de Picapoll, Rosat de Picapoll and Gewürztraminer.

More destinations

More destinations: Molins De Rei, Orpí, Caldes D'estrac, Esparreguera, Bigues I Riells, Veciana, Sant Joan Samora, Sant Fost de Campsentelles

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.