Discover Capellades: Paper History and Cultural Heritage

Capellades offers the chance to plan a stay focused on prehistory and the history of paper. Alongside archaeological sites and historic paper mills, waterworks, churches and paths shape the character of the town. You can choose what to explore based on the subjects that interest you most: early settlement, crafts and industrial history, or architecture.

Prehistory at Cinglera del Capelló

NEAN-Parc Prehistòric de Capellades is located in Cinglera del Capelló, a travertine geological formation with a total area of almost 50,000 square metres. A path about 1,100 metres long runs through the area. The park was created to protect the natural and archaeological heritage and to share knowledge about the prehistory of the region. The archaeological site Abric Romaní is among its points of archaeological interest. The site and the path through Cinglera can currently be visited by prior reservation, so be sure to book ahead.

Paper-making and mills

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Capellades developed into one of the country's most important paper-production centres. Paper de barba also gained international recognition. Museu Molí Paperer is housed in the former 18th-century paper mill Molí de la Vila. During a guided tour, the mill's machinery is demonstrated and the process of making handmade paper is shown. Families can also take part in a guided paper-making workshop: each participant makes three sheets, one from white paper, one from recycled paper and one from coloured paper.

Another way to explore the industrial heritage is to visit the paper mill Molí Paperer Munné. It is housed in the former mill Cal Farreres, built in the mid-18th century. The mills are not just individual buildings: watercourses are also part of the history of paper production. La Bassa is one of the natural springs of the Carme-Capellades aquifer. Rec del Corronaire is the open section of Rec Major, which carried water from the bassa of Molí de la Vila to the Molins de la Costa and onward to the Anoia River. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the water of Rec Major powered sixteen mills known as the Molins de la Costa.

Watercourses, walks and local history

The open Rec del Corronaire runs along the street of the same name, from Carrer Abat Muntadas to Carrer del Pilar. This specific route makes the watercourse a clearly defined point of interest for anyone interested in historic infrastructure. The Camins del Paper also trace the history of paper: all five routes start in Capellades. The first is the shortest and most urban. It is 3.44 kilometres long, takes an estimated 45 minutes, and passes a particularly large number of features related to paper-making heritage. These details can help you estimate how much time to allow for this route.

Font Cuitora offers a different setting: a park surrounding the spring of the same name. Benches in the shade of plane trees are part of its design. In the historic Font de la Reina quarter, a strategic stopping point on the King's Road lay on the stretch between Igualada and Piera. This location may explain the presence of numerous inns, though this remains a possibility rather than a certainty.

Churches, chapels and exhibition space

Església de Santa Maria is a 19th-century religious building whose origins go back to a Romanesque church from the 10th century. The present building is neoclassical, with a Latin cross floor plan, a distinctive round dome and a bell tower. Inside are works by local painters and sculptors, as well as works by Josep Maria Jujol, a student of Gaudí. Església del Pilar was built in 1801 by the Serra family, one of the area's prominent paper-making families. The small, rectangular Capella de Santa Bàrbara has a bell gable. Casa Bas houses the municipal exhibition space Les Voltes de Casa Bas.

Market, festival and getting there

Mercat Figueter takes place on the second Sunday of Lent. What began as a traditional occasion to buy figs first developed into a seasonal market and later into a fair with activities throughout the day. Shops, service providers and local associations from Capellades take part. Santa Dorotea is the town's co-patron saint and is celebrated at the winter festival on 6 February. These two dates offer different opportunities to include local market and festival life in your stay.

For train travel, Capellades station on the Llobregat-Anoia network is served by lines R6 and R60 between Barcelona–Plaça Espanya and Igualada. The history of paper, the prehistoric site and the historic buildings each give your stay a distinct focus. Choose whether to set aside more time for the mills and watercourses, architecture or prehistory.

Discover more destinations: Castellar Del Riu, Saldes, Sant Adrià De Besòs, Palafolls, Els Prats De Rei, Olost, Òdena, Santa Maria De Palautordera.

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