Discover La Pinya

La Pinya lies at the northern end of la Vall d'en Bas, between the Rauta and Sant Valentí mountain ranges. The place name Pinya is documented as far back as 958. Two distinct aspects can help you plan your trip: the landscape around the village and a history reflected in Romanesque churches, individual architectural features and communal washhouses. Walking and cycling routes round out the picture. When choosing your destination, you can therefore take both the landscape and its architectural and everyday history into account.

Romanesque churches and their architectural history

The parish church of Santa Maria de la Pinya dates from the 10th century. Inside is a 12th-century Romanesque immersion baptismal font that came from Sant Joan dels Balbs. Santa Maria thus brings together different historical periods and places: the church is dated to the 10th century, while the baptismal font dates from the 12th century and originally came from Sant Joan dels Balbs. The term “immersion” refers to the form of baptism for which the font was intended. Visitors interested in Romanesque religious architecture will find here not only an old church but also a specific furnishing with its own history.

Sant Joan dels Balbs is a Romanesque church first mentioned in 958. Over the course of its history, it became a dependent church of La Pinya. It lies at the foot of the Serra de la Rauta, in the area of La Pinya. Its single-nave layout, apse and two-arched bell gable give the chapel a clearly defined architectural form. Despite later additions, Sant Joan dels Balbs retains a simple, clear aesthetic. A paved road leads directly from the entrance to La Pinya to the hermitage.

Washhouses and living history

The Rentadors de la Pinya are of considerable value as architectural heritage and represent the functional, utilitarian buildings of their era. Their history encompasses more than washing and rinsing clothes: the washhouses were also gathering places where women and children in particular would meet and talk. They also point to water as a limited resource shared by the individual villages. The Rentadors therefore bring together architectural history, everyday work and community life.

The Romanesque carved figure of Santa Maria de la Cabeça offers another glimpse into the region’s religious history. It was highly venerated by the local population, and people suffering from head ailments would pray to it. While the churches and washhouses reveal architectural and social history, the figure points to a religious practice associated with a particular need.

Routes and directions

From the Sant Valentí viewpoint, you can see across Olot. Beyond the viewpoint, the Carline Trail descends into the La Pinya district. Another route is the road known as de la parcel·lària, between Sant Esteve and La Pinya. It is considered an easy route on foot or by bicycle. These details help with different aspects of finding your way: for the Carline Trail, the viewpoint and the district are key reference points; the road de la parcel·lària runs between Sant Esteve and La Pinya and is not strenuous to walk or cycle.

To travel from Olot, take the GIP-5223 towards Riudaura, then the GIV-5224 to La Pinya. If you’re using these route details to plan your journey, check the current route and trail markers before setting out; routes and markings may change.

Discover more destinations: Valveralla, Salitja, Castelló D’empúries, Macanet De Cabrenys, Foixà, Fontanals De Cerdanya, Cervià De Ter, Llanca

For the full travel overview: Girona.