Sant Julià de Vilatorta combines architectural history and living tradition with routes through the town and the surrounding landscape. Options range from a level walk around the town centre to hikes with a variety of nature and history themes. When planning your visit, you can focus on architecture and local customs or choose routes whose course and character particularly interest you.
Architecture and Local History
A level, 3 km walk through the town centre passes notable buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as examples of Modernisme, Historicism and Noucentisme. It offers an overview of several architectural movements without requiring a longer hike.
The parish church, Església parroquial de Sant Julià de Vilatorta, also tells the story of different building periods: around 905, there was a pre-Romanesque predecessor. The present-day church dates from around 1050. The bell tower, the lower part of the apse and the parapet of the central nave remain from the 11th-century building. This makes it possible to distinguish an earlier predecessor from surviving elements of the medieval building.
The Tradition of the Caramelles del Roser
The Caramelles del Roser originated in the context of the Confraria del Roser, founded in 1590, and have been practised every year without interruption ever since. Their features include singing the Goigs del Roser, traditional clothing and locally composed pieces. This makes the tradition not just a historical subject, but part of local customs.
The Casa de les Caramelles, on the ground floor of ca l'Anglada, is dedicated to this festival. It includes an interpretation centre, an audiovisual presentation and an exhibition space featuring important items such as the Bordons, Cistella and Estendard. Check the current visiting arrangements before you travel.
Hiking Routes with Different Profiles
The section of the GR-2 La Jonquera–Aiguafreda between Sant Julià de Vilatorta and Sant Llorenç del Munt starts from the Parc de les Set Fonts recreation area. The self-guided section of the GR 151 Camins del Bisbe i Abat Oliba from Sant Julià de Vilatorta to Folgueroles also begins there. The routes differ in their destinations; the GR 151 is designated as self-guided.
Another option is the 9 km, level and well-signposted circular route through the former Pla de la Quintana airfield. It leads to significant remains of the airfield, which was in operation during the Spanish Civil War. These include several shelters, a hangar and a powder magazine. Suitable for families, this route combines a circular walk with traces of the site’s former use.
The path to the Font de la Riera is an easy out-and-back hike. It combines a long, sunny ridge with shaded sections alongside the Riera. This makes for a very different nature experience from the circular route around the former airfield. A short, pleasant circular walk around Sant Julià de Vilatorta, in turn, takes in several hydrological points of interest and illustrates traditional ways of collecting and storing water.
Landscape and Practical Planning
The monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt stands on a rock at the highest point in the municipality. Its Romanesque church preserves the central apse and two smaller side apses. Under the PEPMEN—the special plan for the protection and improvement of Guilleries-Savassona—the area of Sant Llorenç del Munt and its natural surroundings are considered an area of particular ecological and landscape interest.
Miquel Pallàs redesigned the park in 1933. It is also home to the information centre for the Guilleries-Savassona natural area, which provides information about Sant Julià de Vilatorta, the Guilleries-Savassona natural area and the Osona comarca. Check the centre’s current visitor services before your visit.
To drive towards Sant Julià de Vilatorta, take exit 187 (Calldetenes/Sant Julià de Vilatorta/Folgueroles), then follow the N-141d road.
Discover more destinations: Sant Joan Despí, L'Estany, Talamanca, Viver, Canoves, Navàs, Bellprat, La Pobla De Lillet.
View the main travel overview: Barcelona.
