Discover L'Estany: Heritage, Trails and Hotels

Discover L'Estany through several specific themes: technical history at the Mina de l'Estany, heritage around Santa Maria, cultural events and trails through the landscape. This variety can help you decide when to travel and what to focus on during your stay. If you are mainly interested in architectural and local history, you can explore the drainage gallery and the historic wayside cross. Music and seasonal events offer a different perspective on the cultural programme, while springs and regional hiking and cultural trails appeal to nature lovers and hikers.

The Mina de l'Estany: technology and history

The Mina de l'Estany is an approximately 425-metre-long underground drainage gallery built using dry stone masonry, without mortar. Its history is connected to the drainage works at the former lake of l'Estany: the works began in 1554 and were improved in 1735, leading to the creation of the Mina. The dates mark different stages in the same development—the start of the works and a later improvement. Together with its length and construction method, they give the gallery a distinctive technical and historical character.

The Creu de Terme also tells the story of the local routes. This stone and iron wayside cross dates from 1805 and marked the junction of the King's Road from Manresa to Vic and the road to Artés. This links two specific historic routes to a named monument. The church of Santa Maria de l'Estany also houses a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary, another detail of the local heritage.

Cultural sites and events

The Centre d'interpretació provides tourist information and promotes the history, natural features and heritage of l'Estany. The Centre de Visitants presents l'Estany's archaeological, historical, architectural, artistic and ethnological heritage through its cultural landscape. The two descriptions reflect different emphases: tourist guidance in one case, and a broad range of heritage topics in the other.

The Stagnum Festival takes place every year in August. Its programme features concerts in the cloister and church of the monastery of Santa Maria de l'Estany. The festival also includes Bachiana, a concert programme dedicated to the work of J. S. Bach. If you want to make music a central part of your trip, you can use August as a guide and check the specific event dates.

The Fira de l'Estany is traditionally held on 8 December. It includes a rapid painting competition of contemporary origin, which is attracting an increasing number of participants. By 2024, the Fira de Tardor had reached a record 31 editions.

Springs and regional trails

Les Fonts de l'Estany comprises numerous springs scattered throughout the municipality. Examples include Font del Prat, Font Canaleta, Font Vella, Font de Jesús, Font del Castell and Font de Sant Antoni. These names therefore refer not to a single spring, but to several springs across the area. The Centre de Visitants is the gateway to the regional hiking and cultural trails of l'Estany. One specifically named route is the Itinerari del domini de la terra, which leads to Puig de la Caritat.

When choosing your travel dates, the two festival dates provide a useful comparison: Stagnum takes place every year in August, while the Fira de l'Estany traditionally falls on 8 December. If one of the festivals is important to your trip, check the specific event dates for the relevant year. This lets you plan around the cultural events or focus instead on heritage and trails.

Getting here from Barcelona

From Barcelona, take the C-17 to the Caldes de Montbui exit, then follow the C-59 through Castellterçol and Moià. Check route conditions before travelling. This sequence of roads and towns provides practical guidance for the journey without specifying a distance or travel time.

Discover more destinations: Sant Mateu De Bages, Mataró, Sant Agustí De Lluçanès, Castellar Del Riu, Castellví De La Marca, Santa Margarida de Montbui, Arenys De Mar, Sabadell.

For the general travel overview: Barcelona.