Sentmenat

Sentmenat is a municipality that belongs to the Vallès Occidental region, in the province of Barcelona. Its municipal area has an area of 28.80 km2 and is located in the southern foothills of Montmajor, bordering the municipalities of Castellar del Vallès, Sant Llorenç Savall, Sabadell, Polinyà, Palau-solità i Plegamans and Caldes de Montbui. Its urban center is located at 213 m altitude.

The municipality enjoys a mild climate, protected by the mountains that border it to the north. Outside its municipal boundaries, it borders Sant Llorenç de Munt and El Farell, and within its boundaries, it borders the Serra Cavallera, the Serra del Calvari, the Serra de Can Fruitós or de la Sagrera, the Torre Roja hill (where there is a circular defensive tower of early medieval origin and its Iberian settlement) and the Puig Rodó.

On the border between Sentmenat and Castellar del Vallès we find the distinctive mountain of Puig de la Creu (664 m), where there is a hermitage of the same name from which you can contemplate an impressive view of the two Vallès, and even of the city of Barcelona.

History

The origins of Sentmenat date back to prehistoric and Roman times, and it is suggested that the church of Sant Menna may have been built on an earlier Roman settlement. During the 14th-16th centuries, Sentmenat consolidated as a population center, especially in the Plaça de Baix (Lower Square), and later other areas such as the Plaça de Dalt (Upper Square) and Carrer de Climent Humet (Climent Humet Street) developed.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the Colomina area was urbanized, creating a new town center further north that was influenced by the new Town Hall and the Plaça de la Vila. This development resulted in a linear urban structure extending from the Plaça de Dalt to Carrer de Climent Humet.

Sentmenat is described as an agricultural town with a heritage consisting predominantly of farmhouses and agricultural buildings. There are also late 19th-century residential buildings with Modernist influences and the New Cemetery. Furthermore, the town boasts important architectural and historical landmarks, such as the Church of Santa Menna, the Hermitage of Sant Miquel de l'Arn, the Hermitage of Can Fruitós, and the Castellet de Guanta. Archaeological remains have also been discovered over time.

Gastronomy and local produce

Sentmenat is a town with a strong agricultural tradition and a wealth of distinctive flavors. Locally grown and processed produce is an essential part of the town's identity and its traditional cuisine.

Ganxet Bean

The Mongeta del Ganxet is a medium-sized white bean, kidney-shaped with a distinctive hook at one end. It is distinguished by its creamy texture, thin skin, and mild flavor. Highly prized in Catalan cuisine, it has held Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status since 2007.

It is traditionally grown in the Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, Maresme, and La Selva regions. Its name comes from its curved shape, which resembles a hook. In Sentmenat, farmhouses like Can Fruitós keep this artisanal, locally grown crop alive.

It can be purchased in dried form at the Masía de Can Fruitós in Sentmenat, as well as in local shops and cooperatives such as Agrària Vallès, where it can also be found preserved and in an organic version.

Olive oil from La Vera del Vallès

Vera del Vallès extra virgin olive oil is made with a variety of olive native to the Vallès Oriental and Occidental regions. It has a fruity flavor with a touch of spice and bitterness, and low acidity. It is obtained by cold pressing, which helps preserve its properties and quality.

This variety is cultivated in municipalities such as Sentmenat, Castellar del Vallès, and Caldes de Montbui. Currently, there are more than 12,800 olive trees spread across 166 hectares.

Sentmenat Castle Cookie

The Sentmenat Castle Cookie is a handcrafted sweet with aromas of lemon, cinnamon, vanilla, and anise, shaped like Sentmenat Castle. It has a light texture and a smooth, balanced flavor.

It was created by pastry chef Ramon Anaya, of Forn Planas bakery, and in 2011 it won a competition to choose a typical product of the municipality. It represents the history and identity of Sentmenat.