L'Estany

El Estanque is the second highest municipality in Moianès; located 870 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by mountains that range between 900 and 1010 meters.

Enjoy a dry and sunny climate all year round and an unparalleled natural setting that invites you to take walks and excursions along the marked trails.

Two things stand out in Estany: the old pond, drained in the 18th century, which gave the town its name, and the Romanesque Monastery of Santa Maria del Estany; one of the most extraordinary architectural ensembles of the Romanesque period in Catalonia.

The terrain's topography and the clay composition of the soil, combined with high rainfall, led to the formation of a pond some 11,500 years ago. The pond was finally drained in the 18th century by means of the mine, a magnificent dry-stone engineering project 425 meters long that still performs its original function today: draining water from the L'Estany meadow.

History

The origins of Estany date back to 927, although the great boost of the municipality came in 1080 with the founding of the canonry of Santa Maria del Estany, one of the most important in Catalonia under the rule of Saint Augustine.

The monastery experienced a golden age during the Middle Ages. The church was consecrated in 1133, and in 1264 the complex became an abbey. Despite suffering damage in the 1448 earthquake, which damaged part of the church and the bell tower, the monastery was restored a few years later.

During the 16th and 18th centuries, several projects were undertaken to drain the old pond, which gave the municipality its name. The construction of the mine, completed in 1737, finally eliminated the stagnant water, reduced the risk of malaria, and created new farmland.

The town grew up around the monastery, with an economy traditionally based on agriculture and livestock farming, to which small textile industries were added at the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1931 the Monastery of Santa Maria del Estany was declared a National Monument, and the important restoration works begun in 1966 have allowed to preserve to this day one of the most outstanding Romanesque complexes in Catalonia.

Places of interest

The Monastery of Santa Maria del Estany

Declared a cultural asset of national interest, the Monastery of Santa Maria de l'Estany is one of the great jewels of Catalan Romanesque architecture. Founded in 1080, it is especially notable for its spectacular cloister, with 72 sculpted capitals that combine biblical scenes, plant motifs, heraldic symbols, and representations of daily life, making it a unique piece of medieval heritage.

The church, with a Latin cross floor plan, preserves a remarkable 14th-century Gothic alabaster sculpture, carved from a single block.

Visits: check schedules and rates on the monastery's website.

The Pond Mine

The Mina de l'Estany is a remarkable 18th-century engineering feat that drained the ancient pond that gave the town its name. This 425-meter-long underground dry-stone tunnel continues to drain the surrounding meadows and is an exceptional example of traditional hydraulic engineering.

The visit allows you to discover the history of the draining of the pond and explore part of this unique construction.

Guided tours: Fridays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m., by prior reservation. The Visitor Centre can also be visited free of charge.

Puig de la Caridad

At 1,020 meters high, Puig de la Caritat is the best viewpoint overlooking the Estany de l'Hot and one of the most emblematic places in the Moianès region. From its summit, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view encompassing the Pyrenees, Montseny, Sant Llorenç del Munt, Montserrat, and much of Central Catalonia.

In addition to its scenic value, the mountain preserves an ancient popular tradition linked to the processions of blessing the fields, celebrated since the 15th century.

Photos: @Dani Codina