Barbera Del Valles offers two clearly distinct ways to explore during a stay: trails associated with the Ripoll and buildings that reveal different chapters of the town’s history. The Ruta del riu Ripoll a Barberà del Vallès is semicircular and follows a stretch of the river; the Ruta del Castell de Barberà starts at the Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Barberà . To choose a focus, you could first consider whether the river’s course or the starting point at the church is the more suitable guide for your planned exploration. The watchtower, church, paper mill and conversion of an industrial building offer very different historical perspectives.
Routes: the Ripoll or Santa Maria
The Ruta del riu Ripoll a Barberà del Vallès combines its shape with its connection to the river: the semicircular route follows a stretch of the Ripoll. The Ruta del Castell de Barberà is suitable for everyone and starts at Santa Maria de Barberà . The two trails can therefore be distinguished by different features: one follows the river and takes a semicircular shape, while the other is suitable for everyone and starts at a Romanesque church. When choosing, it may help to consider which of these connections you would like to shape your outing most.
A building history spanning several periods
Castell de BarberĂ has been documented since 1005. This date marks the documentary evidence, not the year it was built. Its appearance is reminiscent of a farmhouse and dates back to a reconstruction in the 16th to 18th centuries; the building was significantly altered in the 19th century. The chapel of Castell de BarberĂ dates from the 18th century and is dedicated to Santa Coloma. This site therefore brings together several dates: its first documented mention, the later reconstruction, further alterations and the dating of the chapel.
The watch and defensive tower of Ca n’Altimira dates from the 11th to 12th centuries and is a Bé Cultural d’Interès Nacional. Its strategic location served to control a large part of the course of the Ripoll River. The tower is notable both for its defensive function and its connection to the river. Its dates can be distinguished from those of Castell de Barberà : 1005 is the year of the documentary evidence for the castle, while the tower is assigned a period of construction.
Church, paper mill and cultural conversion
Santa Maria de BarberĂ , also known as La RomĂ nica, is a 12th-century church. It is the starting point of the Ruta del Castell de BarberĂ . The church is currently not open to the public, and guided tours are not offered. The starting point of the route and visiting the building are therefore two separate aspects to consider when planning.
Molà d’en Santo is an old paper mill near the Ripoll River and has been documented since 1660. The river features here in a different context than on the route: as the location of a historic mill. La Nau, in turn, was created by converting part of an industrial building into a cultural center. While Molà d’en Santo is classified as a paper mill, La Nau centers on the conversion of an industrial building. Together, these places illustrate different types of buildings and uses, without sharing the same history.
Discover more destinations: La Torre De Claramunt, Avinyó, Sant Bartomeu Del Grau, Sant Llorenç Savall, Igualada, Sant Cugat Del Vallès, Sant Pere De Ribes, Avinyonet Del Penedès.
For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.
