The Capella de Sant Cugat de Moja has been documented since 1098; in the town centre, the Església de Sant Jaume stands beside it. Moja thus brings together a long church history, other buildings, a festival tradition and a designated hiking route. When planning, it is worth avoiding cramming all these themes into a single day: visits to the Torre are available on specific dates, while the route’s walking time is given as time spent walking.

Churches and long timelines

In 1098, Pope Urban II confirmed the Capella de Sant Cugat as belonging to the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès. The neighbouring Església de Sant Jaume was built much later, at the end of the 19th century. It features wall paintings by Agustí Ferrer i Punós, dedicated to Sant Jaume, Sant Cugat and Sant Jordi. You will therefore encounter Sant Cugat both in the chapel’s name and among the figures to whom the paintings are dedicated. The two buildings mark different points in the history of the town: the record from 1098 and the church from the late 19th century.

The Torre and other buildings

The Torre de Moja was first mentioned in a document in 981 and served as an advanced defensive position for Olèrdola Castle. The medieval tower is a cultural asset of national interest; its exterior is part of a guided heritage tour of Moja. The restored Torre has been open to visitors on certain days as part of the Ruta del Patrimonio de Olèrdola, Moja, with guided tours and open days. Check the municipal schedule before travelling if you are planning a visit.

The local architectural heritage also offers different points of interest. Casa Batlle is a Modernist corner building with a central square tower. The Celler Cooperatiu is known as a “cathedral of wine” and is the work of architect César Martinell, a student of Gaudí. Thus, alongside Casa Batlle’s distinctive corner position, the Celler Cooperatiu’s architectural attribution and designation are points of interest in their own right.

Festival traditions and hiking route

The Festa Major de Moja preserves the traditions of Capta en carro and Matinades and features the Diables, the Drac, dances, a Pregó, a Tamborinada and a procession. If you are travelling for the festival traditions, plan first around the specific event dates. The annual programme may change, so check the dates and programme in advance.

The 2020 municipal hiking report gives the Moja–Daltmar–Castell–Sant Miquel d'Olèrdola route as 15.21 km long, with a walking time of 2 hours and 52 minutes spent walking. This is not the duration of the entire outing: breaks and other time spent at stops are additional. As the information comes from a 2020 report, check local trail conditions before setting out.

Plan your stay around your interests

For the Festa Major, the event date is the main consideration; for the hike, the route length and walking time spent walking are the relevant planning measures, rather than a general day plan. A stay focused on building history, in turn, centres on the named churches, the tower and the two architectural examples. This lets you plan the timing of your trip around your main interest before choosing a holiday apartment.

Discover more destinations: Sant Pere Molanta.

View the wider travel guide: Olèrdola.