Gironella: Old Town, Industrial Heritage and Local Traditions

When searching for hotels in Gironella, the town’s points of interest can help guide your travel planning: the old town and its architectural history, its textile industrial past, traditional festivals or routes with different themes. This can help you decide which of these aspects you would like to explore during your stay.

Old Town and Architectural History

Gironella’s old town is a group of streets and buildings on the hill around the church and castle. There are several ways to reach it, including the Pont Vell and the climb along the city wall. The Pont Vell is an originally Gothic bridge, of which only part remains; the current bridge was built in several phases. It has been documented since the 14th century. According to a bequest in a will, it was under construction in 1369. This structure thus brings together a Gothic origin, later building phases and a cautiously preserved reference to the 14th century.

The Pont del diable de Cal Bassacs is also only partly preserved: part of its eastern end remains. The church of Sant Marc de Cal Bassacs can be identified by its distinctive design. It has a single nave and is built against a rock at the choir end, which serves as the apse. At the opposite end is a porch or atrium. An apse is the terminal area of the choir; here, the rock forms this part of the church.

The Antiga Farmàcia Homs is a 19th-century pharmacy at its original location in Gironella. The pharmacist Miquel Homs i Quer, from Cardona, founded it in 1877; it retains the same appearance it had then. Individual and group visits are available by prior arrangement by phone or through the website. If you plan to visit, remember to make arrangements in advance.

Walking Tours and Routes

The Ruta del modernisme is a circular walking route through the old town and along Avinguda de Catalunya. It includes the first twelve signposted buildings; the final three stops are the textile colonies of Cal Bassacs, Viladomiu Vell and Viladomiu Nou. The route thus connects buildings in the old town with the three named colonies. For a walk focused on architectural history, both its circular layout and these stops are useful landmarks.

“El fil de la història” is a historic walking tour through the old town. Its textile-history theme links the Middle Ages, the modern era and industrialisation. The tour starts at the Centre d’Interpretació Històric at C/Pont Vell 19; the centre also serves as a tourist information office today. Its textile thread gives the three periods a shared thematic connection.

The other routes can also be distinguished by their individual features. The Ruta de les fonts offers panoramic views of the municipality of Gironella from several points. There are two permanent orienteering courses: one in the town centre and another in the sports area and in Cal Ramons. The Ruta de les colònies starts in Cal Metre and ends in Viladomiu Nou. The options described therefore range from viewpoints to permanent orienteering courses and a route with named starting and finishing points.

Discover the Industrial History

The Casa Teixidor Bassacs houses a permanent exhibition on the history of industrialisation in Berguedà in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its main topics include the textile industry, mining, the narrow-gauge railway and rural life. The exhibition connects industrial development with other aspects of the region’s economic and everyday history.

The Torre de l’Amo de Viladomiu Nou was inaugurated in 1902 as a temporary residence for the owners. Its modernist design combines elements from different styles: the masonry of the walls is set alongside brick and stone, and metal supports are also used. The visit is designed as an immersive historical experience. Rooms, projections, lifelike portraits and mirrors illustrate life in an industrial colony at the beginning of the 20th century. Its architecture and presentation offer two different ways of engaging with history: the building itself and the way of life it portrays.

Festivals and Local Cuisine

The Ball de l’Almorratxa, also known as the Ball de la Torratxa, is a variation of the Ball Cerdà. It is performed during the Festa Major de Gironella; its origins are associated with a wedding in feudal times. The dance is currently performed twice a year: on Saturday as part of the Festival de Dansa Folklòrica and on Sunday during the Festa Major. If you plan to attend a performance, check the current event dates.

The Vot de Poble at the church of Sant Marc de Cal Bassacs takes place on 25 April, the feast day of Saint Mark. It includes a mass with the singing of the Goigs and a blessing of the municipal area. Afterwards, Coca with chocolate is served, usually along with an orange. Escudella de blat de moro escairat is also considered a typical dish of Gironella.

Discover more destinations: Prats de Lluçanès, La Múnia, Sallent, Olèrdola, Martorell, Calders, Cabrils, Sant Boi De Lluçanès.

For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.