La Pinya – Romanesque Heritage, Washhouses and Trails in Vall d'en Bas

La Pinya lies at the northern end of Vall d'en Bas, between the Rauta and Sant Valentí mountain ranges. The place name Pinya has been documented since 958.

Culture and History

The parish church of Santa Maria de la Pinya dates from the 10th century and is located in La Pinya. The church contains a 12th-century Romanesque baptismal font intended for immersion. The font comes from Sant Joan dels Balbs.

Sant Joan dels Balbs is a Romanesque church first mentioned in 958. It became a subsidiary church of La Pinya. The chapel of Sant Joan dels Balbs has a single-nave layout, an apse and a two-arched bell gable.

The chapel of Sant Joan dels Balbs lies at the foot of the Serra de la Rauta, in the area of La Pinya. Despite later additions, Sant Joan dels Balbs preserves a clear and simple architectural aesthetic.

The Romanesque carving of Santa Maria de la Cabeça was deeply venerated by the population of the region. People suffering from head ailments invoked her.

The Rentadors de la Pinya are of significant value as architectural heritage. They represent functional, purpose-built structures from a particular period. The Rentadors de la Pinya recall water as a limited resource shared by the individual villages. In addition to washing and rinsing clothes, they served as a meeting place. Women and children in particular gathered there and chatted.

At the Rentadors, the architectural heritage is connected with the site's former use. The complex therefore represents both a specific working function and communal interaction in the village. Water, washing and social gatherings formed part of a shared context here.

Landscape and Trails

Sant Valentí de la Pinya has a viewpoint overlooking Olot. From the Sant Valentí viewpoint, the Carline Trail leads into the La Pinya district.

The road known as de la parcel·lària lies between Sant Esteve and La Pinya. It is considered undemanding on foot and by bicycle.

A paved path leads directly from the entrance to La Pinya to the hermitage of Sant Joan dels Balbs.

The trails connect various points within the area: the paved path leads from the entrance to the hermitage, the Carline Trail leads from the viewpoint into the district, and the road de la parcel·lària connects Sant Esteve with La Pinya. This keeps the respective starting and ending points of the routes described clearly identifiable.

The viewpoint looks out over Olot, while the trails lead to different points of reference in the La Pinya area. The Serra de la Rauta provides the geographical context for the location of the chapel of Sant Joan dels Balbs.

Other Places

Other places to discover for yourself: Tortellá, Vilaür, Setcases, Fornells De La Selva, Canet D'adri, Montagut, Palamós and Ripoll.

Geographical Location

From Olot, the access route follows the GIP-5223 towards Riudaura and then the GIV-5224 to La Pinya.

The route from Olot is therefore marked by two named road sections: first the GIP-5223 towards Riudaura, followed by the GIV-5224 to La Pinya. The church of Santa Maria de la Pinya is located within the village.

For the overarching travel overview: Girona.