Palau-solità i Plegamans

Palau-solità i Plegamans is a municipality located in the Vallès Occidental region. Covering an area of 14.9 km² and at an altitude of 140 meters, it is located approximately 25 km north of Barcelona. The municipality is formed by the historic union of two ancient parishes: Palau-solità and Plegamans, first documented in 955 and 962, respectively.

Today, Palau-solità i Plegamans is an important residential and industrial centre, hosting the headquarters of the well-known fashion company Mango.

History

The municipality is located between two mountain ranges of gentle hills and is crossed by several streams, creating a fertile plain inhabited since prehistoric times. Remains from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, as well as a menhir known as "the Long Stone," a prominent symbol of the megalithic past, have been found.

During the Iberian, Roman, and medieval periods, the territory was continuously occupied. The Roman road that crossed it favored the formation of settlements. With the medieval repopulation, two parishes were consolidated: Santa Maria de Palau-solità and Sant Genís de Plegamans. Many farmhouses and Plegamans Castle also date from this period.

The 19th century and the arrival of the railway boosted trade and industry, with the textile factory inaugurated in 1890 being a highlight, changing the lives of many families. The 20th century brought holidaymakers, such as the writer Folch i Torres, and an urban transformation that included the reconstruction of the Sant Genís church after the Civil War.

Beginning in the 1970s, urban and industrial growth changed the rural landscape of the municipality. Today, it continues to transform with the desire to grow responsibly and with a focus on the future.

Places of interest

Folch House

Casa Folch is divided into two parts; the rectangular building is privately owned. Conservation and renovation work was carried out in August 2001. The tower and surrounding garden are owned by the Palau-solità i Plegamans City Council. Camino del Castillo. The garden extends to the road (Avinguda de Catalunya).

Plegamans Castle

Plegamans Castle dominates the Palau-solità i Plegamans plain from its location in the Serra. Its layout, consisting of several adjoining buildings, makes it appear more like a fortified manor house than a proper defensive structure. Camino de la Sierra s/n. Visits by appointment. Tel. 938 64 80 56.

Old Schools

Built in 1934 in the Rationalist style, the work of architects Josep Lluís Sert and Josep Torres Clavé (GATCPAC). It currently houses the Early Childhood Education classrooms of the Josep Maria Folch i Torres Primary School. A careful renovation was carried out in 2004, respecting its original architectural style. Located on Paseo de la Carrerada, at the corner of Rambla del Maestro Pere Pou.

Folch i Torres Foundation Museum-Archive. Main Floor of Plegamans Castle

On the first floor of Plegamans Castle, known as the Noble Floor, there are five rooms donated to the Folch i Torres Foundation, which houses the Foundation's Museum-Archive. The space houses and makes available to the public and researchers a documentary and museum collection that includes the works and biographical and bibliographical material of the five Folch i Torres brothers: Manuel, Lluís, Josep Maria, Ignasi and Joaquim.

International Puppet Museum of Catalonia

This is the first museum of its kind in Catalonia, located in the Masia de Can Falguera. You'll find a wide selection of puppets from around the world, both ancient and contemporary, as well as an exhibition of different manipulation techniques.

The museum also offers activities related to the performing arts, visual arts, education, literature, and heritage. It was conceived and founded by Teia Moner, a renowned and prestigious puppeteer.

Long Stone Menhir

A megalithic monument classified as a menhir, probably with a religious function linked to the worship of the dead or the veneration of deities. It is also believed that it could have served as a marker for marking territorial boundaries.

The stone, of non-local origin—possibly a rock from Montserrat— stands vertically and measures approximately 2.5 meters in height. It is located at the intersection of Carrer de la Pedra Llarga and Carrer del Monòlit.

Fum Hostel Park

The park is a 35,000 m² enclosed space that houses a representative sample of native vegetation, with species such as pines, holm oaks, poplars, and riparian trees. Aromatic plants such as thyme, basil, rosemary, and many others grow within this Mediterranean forest. The wooded areas are combined with wide grassy meadows, walking paths, and a small stream that connects several ponds, creating a very pleasant natural environment.

The park is located within the Riera de Caldes Industrial Park, right next to the river. The park's little train runs on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tours are also available by appointment on weekdays.