For a stay in Muntanyola, the churches’ building history and the named routes offer two different ways to explore the area. At the Església de Sant Quirze i Santa Julita, you can discover several historical building phases and Baroque furnishings; the Església de Sant Esteve de Múnter is distinguished by its Romanesque features. If you would rather plan your stay around a route, you can choose between a hiking trail and a route that is partly suitable for mountain biking.
Churches and Different Building Phases
The Església de Sant Quirze i Santa Julita already existed in 938; it was renovated and reconsecrated in 1177. The present church building was completely rebuilt in 1727. These dates mark different stages in its history and should not be read as a single construction date. Inside are five Baroque altarpieces from the workshop of Real and Gros. Alongside its long building history, the church therefore features a distinctive ensemble of furnishings with a clear connection to the Baroque period.
Visitor information updated in April 2021 states that visits are available by appointment. If you would like to see the altarpieces in person, check in advance whether this arrangement is still in effect and make an appointment.
Romanesque Features in Múnter
The Església de Sant Esteve de Múnter has a well-preserved Romanesque apse, as well as large sections of the nave walls. Its architectural emphasis is therefore on surviving structural features, while the Baroque altarpieces also draw the eye at Sant Quirze i Santa Julita. The two churches thus have different points of interest: Romanesque fabric in one, and furnishings from a later period in the other.
Municipal visitor information, most recently updated in April 2021, gives the access route as the Ctra. 141 from the C-17 towards Manresa, followed by the turn-off for Múnter. It also says to arrange a visit with the parish priest of Malla parish. Before making plans, check whether this arrangement can currently be made.
On Foot or by Mountain Bike
The short PR C-43 hiking trail is part of the Senders de Catalunya network and the Federació d'Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya. It passes through the Muntanyola residential area and reaches the Església de Sant Quirze de Muntanyola. Choosing this trail gives you both a named route and a specific destination.
Another option is the Sender de Tona: a large part of this route can be ridden by mountain bike. At kilometer 13,800, a section of road climbs to the hermitage of Muntanyola; the normal route then resumes. The descriptions clearly distinguish the two options by mode of travel: the PR C-43 is described as a hiking trail, while the mountain-bike suitability of the Sender de Tona applies to a large part of the route.
Landscape and Character of the Municipality
Muntanyola has a Mediterranean mid-mountain climate with a continental tendency. The scattered farmhouses and country estates also shape the view of the municipality: a municipal description updated in April 2021 lists more than 80 of them. Their distribution across the area complements the individual churches with a broader cultural landscape.
You can choose the focus of your trip according to your interests: the churches’ building history and furnishings, Romanesque features in Múnter, or one of the routes described here. These subjects are distinct, and there is no need to present the mountain-bike route and the hiking trail as a single, shared itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Granollers, Teià, Sant Vicenç de Castellet, Les Masies De Voltregà, Ripollet, Molins De Rei, Dosrius, Capolat
For the main travel overview: Barcelona.
