An eight-metre-long corridor made of granite slabs, a castle with building structures adapted to the contours of the hill, and paths through natural areas represent very different aspects of La Roca del Vallès. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether architecture and church history, landscapes or cycling should be the focus. The local sights and routes offer specific points of reference.
Churches, Castles and History
The church of Sant Sadurní de la Roca is at the heart of the old town centre. It was founded in 932 by Abbess Emma of Sant Joan de les Abadesses. A much later historical reference is the main altarpiece: the sculptor Antoni Comes created and installed it between 1615 and 1616. The year of the church’s founding and the period when the altarpiece was created thus mark two different historical periods.
Castell de la Roca del Vallès combines a trapezoidal floor plan with several building structures adapted to the topography of the hill. These include a rectangular main tower, as well as a triangular defensive tower and a semicircular one. The castle’s first recorded mention dates to around 1024. At Castell de Bell-lloc/Sant Pau, part of the keep remains and has been converted into a chapel; several sections of the walls also survive.
Dolmen de can Gol I consists of granite slabs forming a corridor eight metres long and 1.35 metres wide. Within the La Roca del Vallès Prehistoric Route complex, it is considered the largest and most complex megalithic monument. The dolmen is subject to the regulations of the Pla Especial Parc Serralada Litoral, PEIN and the Natura 2000 network.
At Església Santa Agnès de Malanyanes, another difference in period can be seen in two structural elements: the portal has a pointed arch and bears the date 1306; the current main altarpiece is a Baroque work by the sculptor Jaume Roig from 1681. Each date refers to a specific element of the church.
Landscape, Trails and Getting Around
La Roca del Vallès is one of the municipalities in Vallès Oriental that lie within Parc de la Serralada Litoral. The park’s predominant woodland types include stone pine stands and holm oak forests. Extensive outcrops of granitic rock include granodiorite, leucogranite and tonalite, among others. Mediterranean fauna inhabits the park’s diverse habitats, which are home to around 300 vertebrate species.
The natural surroundings of La Roca del Vallès offer opportunities for cycling and walks along rural paths and the Mogent river. One named route is the Prehistoric Route I, which links Can Gol with Sant Bartomeu and is marked PR-C 36. La Roca del Vallès is also one of the 15 municipalities participating in the Viu el parc programme.
For travel planning, the transport information varies according to its focus: the major A-7 and C-60 roads pass through La Roca del Vallès; the C-60 connects the town with the coast and Mataró.
As a distinct shopping highlight, La Roca Village is a car-free, open-air shopping destination with more than 150 boutiques along tree-lined streets. Cultural history, nature trails, transport connections and this shopping destination offer different ways to focus your activities during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Vilanova I La Geltrú, Torrelletes, Bagá, Canovelles, Les Roquetes, Monistrol De Calders, Avinyonet Del Penedès, Sant Pau D'ordal
For the main travel overview: Barcelona.
