Sallent

Sallent is a municipality in the Bages region, located in the northern sector, which includes the aggregated villages of Cabrianes and Cornet.

This is a place with a very ancient history, as evidenced by the Iberian settlement of Cogulló, declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest and part of the Iberian Route. The municipality also stands out for its rich Romanesque heritage, with elements such as the castle and the Romanesque church of Sant Sebastià, which preserves the largest circular floor plan in Catalonia.

Within the town center, notable buildings and spaces include the Gothic-style Casa Gran, the Torres Amat House Museum, and the modern church of Sant Antoni Maria Claret. Also of note are the Corbatera wetlands, a natural area of great ornithological value.

The Llobregat River, which flows through the municipality from north to south, has shaped the form and evolution of Sallent. In fact, the town's name is associated with the river's waterfalls, although there is also historical documentation from 980 AD that links the toponym to the expression "ipso castro salente," meaning a stone that protrudes from the ground.

Sallent boasts festivals steeped in tradition. Les Enramades, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest, takes place on Corpus Christi Thursday, although the festivities and decorated streets continue until the following Monday. The main festival is celebrated on the second weekend of September and lasts for five days. In addition, the highly participatory and well-attended Carnival takes place seven weeks before Easter.

The municipality played a prominent role in the early stages of Catalan industrialization. The first mechanical loom in Spain began operating in the Torres factory, a development that profoundly transformed both the town's appearance and its economic activity, which until then had been closely tied to the numerous farmhouses in the area. For over a century, textiles were the main economic driver, until mining, especially potash extraction, gained significant importance. Consequently, Sallent's industrial sector includes potash mines, several factories and workshops, as well as five industrial parks strategically located at the intersection of the Transversal and Llobregat highways.

Today, Sallent is a dynamic municipality, with intense cultural and sporting activity, and with a wide range of municipal services that contribute to ensuring a good quality of life for its inhabitants.

Places of interest

Torres Amat Interpretation Centre and House Museum

The Torres Amat House, located next to the Llobregat River, is the former family residence of a prominent bourgeois lineage from Sallent. Its rooms reflect the power and refinement of the Catalan bourgeoisie. Adjacent to the house was the family factory, where the first mechanical loom in Spain was installed. Among the most notable members of the family was Bishop Torres Amat, a religious figure and reformer of the 19th century.

The visit offers a glimpse into the family's history and legacy, linked to Sallent's industrial past. The building and its heritage complex were acquired by the Barcelona Provincial Council in 1981.

Castle and church of Sant Esteve and Sant Sebastià

The monumental complex of Sallent Castle preserves the remains of the old castle, documented since the 10th century. Within the ancient enclosure stands the 11th-century Romanesque church, initially dedicated to Saint Stephen and later also to Saint Sebastian. The church is notable for its unique circular floor plan, unusual in Catalan Romanesque architecture, and for its large size. From the castle hill, one can enjoy a privileged view over the Bages plain, the Llobregat River, and the town of Sallent.

Iberian settlement of Cogulló

The Iberian settlement of Cogulló is situated on a strategic hill 476 meters high and occupies a fortified enclosure of about 5,000 m². Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest and integrated into the Route of the Iberians, it is one of the most outstanding Iberian sites in Central Catalonia.

Excavations begun in the 1960s have revealed part of its urban structure and defensive system, including features such as four towers and a moat. The settlement was built around the mid-5th century BC and was occupied for over 400 years, until the 1st century BC. Given its importance and location, it may have played a significant role within the territory of the Lacetani. Furthermore, the hilltop offers exceptional views of the Bages plain, the Llobregat valley, and the Pyrenees.

Birthplace and church of Sant Antoni Maria Claret

The birthplace of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870) is also the headquarters of the Claretian Missionaries. Following a major renovation, in 2007 it was transformed into a modern interpretation center dedicated to the life and influence of this figure, as well as the context of 19th-century Catalonia. The complex also includes the church dedicated to the saint, built in 1967, which features notable decorations by Subirachs and contemporary stained-glass windows that illuminate the space.

Central Catalonia Geopark Visitor Centre

The Central Catalonia Geopark Visitor Centre is the welcoming and information center for discovering the Geopark and its geological significance. Inside, you can find explanatory panels, a small mineral display, and an audiovisual presentation that helps explain the geological formation of Central Catalonia. It also offers tourist information about the Bages and Moianès regions.

Central Catalonia Geopark

More than 36 million years ago, central Catalonia was covered by a sea that gradually receded as the Pyrenees rose. This long geological process has left a unique landscape, with singular rock formations and natural resources that have influenced the history, economy, and settlement of the region.

To preserve and promote this heritage, the Geological and Mining Park of Central Catalonia was created, encompassing Bages, part of Moianès, and Collbató. Since 2012, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a Geopark of Central Catalonia. In Sallent, we find several areas of geological and mining interest, such as the Guix fault, the cliffs of Castell hill, and the old mining colony of Botjosa. All of these demonstrate how the current landscape is a product of the rich geological history of Central Catalonia.

Corbatera Wetlands

Near Cabrianes, the Llobregat River valley widens, creating the Corbatera wetland. This area boasts a great diversity of habitats, including riparian forests, pine forests, oak groves, red marl, sandy areas, pebble fields, reedbeds, and cattail marshes.

The tranquility of the surroundings and the variety of habitats make it a very attractive place for many bird species, especially waterfowl, both resident and migratory. Therefore, La Corbatera has great faunal and ornithological value, which can be discovered by walking along the paths or from the specially adapted observation points.

Irrigation Ditch Path

The route follows the course of a 14th-century canal that carries water from the Llobregat River from Balsareny to Manresa. At 26 km long and with only a 10-meter elevation change, it is a remarkable feat of medieval engineering. As it passes through Sallent, the path reveals several aqueducts built to overcome streams and steep inclines. The route traverses diverse landscapes, from dryland fields to wooded areas of great natural beauty.

Historic center

Sallent is a town of medieval origin that, from the 13th century onwards, became linked to the Bishopric of Vic. The old town grew up around the ancient church of Santa Maria and developed as an agricultural and manufacturing town, with a prominent presence of the woolleners' guild. Its proximity to the Llobregat River and its waterfalls favored the establishment of mills, fulling mills, and other productive activities. In the 19th century, the arrival of textile factories transformed Sallent into a major industrial center.

Today, the historic center preserves elements that explain this evolution, from the medieval past —such as Carrer Clos, Pont Vell or Casa Gran— to the baroque houses and the industrial heritage, with modernist buildings such as Ca l'Arau and the chimneys of the old factories.

Pere Sallés Park and old popular library

The garden was created in 1922 along the path that connected the town with the old public library, built in 1918 by the Commonwealth of Catalonia. Spanning nearly 18,000 square meters, it is a remarkable space, distinguished by its vegetation, the richness of its gardens, and the presence of unique buildings, making it a singular place of nature and culture in the region.

Currently, the old library houses the Joan Puig i Elias Cultural Center, headquarters of Radio Sallent, the Sallent Photo Club and various cultural activities.

Batlle Pere Otger Bridge

The Pont Vell is a 14th-century Gothic bridge built to facilitate access to the town of Sallent. Although a flood in the 18th century destroyed its central arches, it still retains a striking and imposing presence. Over time, it has become one of Sallent's iconic landmarks and the main symbol on its coat of arms. From the right bank of the Llobregat River, one can enjoy one of the most representative views of the municipality.

Sanmartí Winery DO Pla de Bages

Bodega Sanmartí is the only winery in the Pla de Bages DO located in Sallent. It forms part of Mas Sanmartí, an old manor house documented in 1210 and linked to viticulture for generations. The winery preserves the historic space and, after its renovation and expansion in 2016, produces quality wines in limited quantities.

Santa Maria de Cornet

The Romanesque church of Cornet, from the 12th century, was part of the old rectory of this district, which was added to Sallent in 1840. It is a single-nave church with an apse facing east, where a double-splayed window stands out, decorated with capitals with animal figures.

The portal, framed by a checkered frieze, features archivolts supported by capitals with facing animals. The bell tower, located on the south wall, is a notable addition from later renovations. Along with the church of Sallent Castle, it is one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in the municipality.

Dolmen of Can Pregones

Also known as the Cornet dolmen, it is a single-chambered megalith discovered in the early 20th century in a rather deteriorated state. Even so, a remarkable collection of grave goods was found, now housed in the Diocesan Museum of Vic, including pieces of flint, bone, shell, and bronze.

Following its restoration, the dolmen is well-preserved, allowing visitors to see the capstone and the stones that once defined the mound. It is located near the turnoff for the BP-4313 road, signposted for Cal Sererols.