Monserrat – Nature, History and Trails

The Serra del Castellet is a fold of Triassic dolomitic limestone with a markedly eroded summit. The traditional historic centre originated in an Islamic settlement from the 11th century.

Those who get to know Monserrat through its landscape and local history encounter two different spatial levels: the geological formation of the Serra del Castellet and the traces of a settlement that developed over centuries. Both themes remain connected in the town, without reducing the landscape to a single viewpoint or the history to one period.

Nature

Font del Pantà is a recreation area next to the municipal sports centre, among sycamore maples and poplar trees; a 17th-century dam has been preserved there. A designated micro-reserve is located at Les Coves.

At the reservoir on the Riu Magre, herons and other birds can be observed during migration.

The natural sites therefore each have different features at the forefront: at Font del Pantà, the trees, sports centre and preserved dam shape the scene, while at Les Coves the protected status of the micro-reserve is highlighted. At the reservoir on the Riu Magre, birdwatching during migration adds another natural aspect.

History

The first known written mention of Monserrat dates from 13 August 1240. Remains from the Bronze Age and the Andalusian period have been found in an archaeological protected area near Monserrat.

Some façades in the traditional historic centre feature religious ceramic altars from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The interior of a building in Monserrat is designed in a style between Neoclassicism and Modernism.

The historical evidence thus ranges from archaeological remains from two periods to the written mention in 1240 and visible details from later architectural and design history. The ceramic altars on some façades and the mentioned building interior create different focal points within the historic centre.

Culture and Traditions

The Setmana Internacional de Música de Cambra, or SIMC for short, has taken place continuously since the summer of 1981 and is an event promoting cultural tourism with an ambition to internationalise. The SIMC programme includes chamber music from the Renaissance to the present day.

On 1 May, the town council organises Paella Day as a communal paella meal attended by residents and visitors. At Easter, preparing cakes called “mona de pascua” is one of the traditions in Monserrat.

The cultural calendar therefore includes both a chamber music event that has taken place continuously since 1981 and communal and seasonal traditions. Paella Day is dated 1 May, while preparing “mona de pascua” belongs to the Easter traditions.

Trails

The PR 272 is one of two officially approved hiking trails in Monserrat. For your own planning, you can weigh the type of route and its thematic focus separately.

The Route of Hydraulic Architecture of Monserrat is 21.6 kilometres long and connects hydraulic structures such as springs, cisterns, troughs, waterwheels, watermills, aqueducts and tunnels with inland mountain landscapes and historic irrigation areas.

The two trails mentioned have different focuses: the PR 272 emphasises its classification as an officially approved hiking trail, while the 21.6-kilometre route focuses on the connection between hydraulic structures, inland mountain landscapes and historic irrigation areas. The types of structures listed also show how broadly the subject of water is understood along this route.

Other Places

Vilamarxant, Olocau, La Barraca d'Aigües Vives, Novelé, Gilet, Pinet, Gátova, Sinarcas

For the overview of the wider area: Valencia.