Sant Joan de les Abadesses: Monastery, Festivals and Trails

At the Monestir de Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the present-day church was consecrated in 1150. The cloister belonging to the Monestir is Gothic and dates from the 15th century.

Culture

Inside the church is the Santíssim Misteri. This is the only Romanesque Descent from the Cross preserved in situ in Catalonia. The Monestir de Sant Joan de les Abadesses was founded in 885 as a Benedictine community of women and is considered the first women's monastery founded in Catalonia.

The Palau de l'Abadia houses the Centre d'Interpretació del Mite del Comte Arnau. The Palau de l'Abadia also contains the permanent exhibition "Romanesque Art, a tour of Ripollès" with true-to-scale models. The permanent exhibition at the Centre d'Interpretació del Mite del Comte Arnau is divided into three sections: the folk song from which the legend emerged, the content and dissemination of the legend, and the emergence of Count Arnau as a myth and his cultural impact.

El Palmàs is the house where the composer Jaume Nunó was born in 1824. In the Parc de la Muralla, a substantial section of the old town wall and the remains of one of its towers can be seen. The Pont Vell is a Gothic bridge over the Ter. It runs parallel to the new bridge.

Festivals and Flavours

The Ball dels Pabordes has been designated an asset of national interest as part of the festive heritage. For the Festa Major, the Ball dels Pabordes takes place on Sunday and Monday in the Plaça Major. The Diana Florejada (Ball del pijama) is a nighttime procession of the Festa Major that takes place in the early morning from Monday to Tuesday. Dancing continues afterwards, and breakfast with hot chocolate and churros is offered.

Dolç del Comte Arnau is inspired by medieval cooking recipes and can be sampled in the town's bakeries and pastry shops.

Trails and Nature

The La Ruta del Ferro reception point is located in Parc de l'Estació, next to the Via Verda. The reception point provides information about the routes and bicycle rental.

The trail runs through a wetland on the left bank of the Ter. At Pantà de Cal Gat, it leads to a birdwatching hide. From the hide, various bird species can be observed, especially during migration.

A circular route leads through the municipal area of Sant Joan de les Abadesses to four hermitages: the Romanesque Sant Antoni de Pàdua, Santa Llúcia de Puigmal and Sant Ponç d'Aulina, as well as Santa Magdalena de Perella.

Other Places

Other linked places include Alp, Roses, Mollet de Peralada, Sils, Viladamat, Guils De Cerdanya, Isòvol and La Vajol.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Girona.