Discover Os de Balaguer: Castle, Bells and History

Castell d’Os de Balaguer stands on a hill on the left bank of the Farfanya River. At this point, the Farfanya forms a west-facing loop around the castle; to the east lies the old town of Os.

Culture and History

The church of Sant Miquel, dedicated to Saint Michael, dates from the 18th century and has a Baroque façade, three naves and a square bell tower that changes into a polygonal structure at medium height.

Since 1988, the bell tower has been the venue for the Trobada de Campaners de Catalunya. This lively festival is dedicated to preserving the bell-ringing craft and the manual ringing of bells, which is recognised as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Castell d’Os has Moorish origins and was fortified around the 9th century to defend the border of al-Lãridi against the Carolingians.

The Museu de les Campanes de Catalunya is located in the former Gothic hall of Castell d’Os de Balaguer. It houses a diverse collection of bells and bell yokes.

The museum’s bells date from the late 17th century to more recent examples. The collection also includes bells cast in Os.

Os Vell is a settlement from the Late Bronze Age that was protected by a wall. Remains of walls and terraces have survived; fragments of handmade pottery were also found there.

The restored Casa-Museu Leandre Cristòfol offers insights into the beginnings of an important avant-garde and Surrealist sculptor in Catalonia and Spain.

The Monestir de Santa Maria de Bellpuig de les Avellanes was established in 1180 through the union of two Premonstratensian communities that had existed since 1166. It became the first and most important Premonstratensian house in the entire country.

Landscape

The Canelles Reservoir is the largest reservoir in the Noguera Ribagorçana River basin and has a capacity of 680 hm³.

Mountain-bike routes cross gorges, vineyards and forgotten farmhouses in the area of Os de Balaguer.

Routes

Destinations on a route starting in Os de Balaguer include Castell d’Os, the church of Sant Miquel and the Monestir de Santa Maria de Bellpuig de les Avellanes.

Hiking trails lead towards Malignum Castrum.

From Balaguer, the route initially follows the C-12 towards Àger and then turns left onto the L-910 to Os de Balaguer.

Visits

Visiting hours in Os de Balaguer are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Additional visits are scheduled on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Opening hours may vary depending on the season or availability.

Advance reservation is required.

More places at a glance: Les Avellanes i Santa Linya, Adrall, Arbeca, Ansovell, Les Borges Blanques, Sensui, Ivars de Noguera, Bescaran.

For the overarching travel overview: Lleida.