In Sant Pere De Riudebitlles, the Pont Nou connects two specific themes: water engineering and the history of mills. As an aqueduct, it crosses the Torrent d'en Guilló; the Sèquia Comunal, also known as Rec de Dalt or Rec de la Vila, runs across it. The canal supplies the mills in the Vila and the gardens in the town. This connection gives the town's cultural heritage a distinctly water-engineering dimension.
Water Engineering and Cultural Heritage
The construction history of the Pont Nou also reveals different periods. The central section was rebuilt after collapsing in the 17th and 18th centuries. During restoration work in 1987, some parts of the aqueduct were dated to the 12th century. The medieval dating therefore applies to individual sections, while the central section has its own history of reconstruction.
The MolĂ de Cal Xerta, also known as Cal Fabra, is a former paper mill and one of the Vila's oldest mills documented in written records. It is mentioned as a fulling mill in the Capbreu of 1540. Today, the municipal building is a multipurpose space hosting various activities, particularly those related to artistic expression. This place brings together the historical use of mills and a contemporary cultural function.
Other landmarks in the town's history include the Església Parroquial de Sant Pere, with its Romanesque origins, and the Casal dels Marquesos de Llió. This civil building dates from the 14th century and is in the Gothic style; today, it houses the Biblioteca Maria Àngels Torrents i Rosés. Carrer Major runs through the Barri Vell of Sant Pere de Riudebitlles. Visitors who would like to explore the heritage sites as part of a route can follow the Ruta del Patrimoni, which takes in the town's most important heritage sites.
The Capella de Sant Jeroni also tells the story of a historic vow: the village community had it built in the 17th century in honour of Saint Jerome, after he had spared them from the plague. Together with the town's Romanesque origins, Gothic architecture and the dates associated with the Pont Nou, the chapel shows the variety of historical landmarks in Sant Pere De Riudebitlles.
River Walk and Landscape
El Camà del Riu offers a different focus from the route through the heritage sites. The path follows the river upstream along its bank and begins at the bridge in the Barri de l'Altra Banda. From there, the route passes the Font dels Quadres, the Parc dels Plà tans d'en Soler, the weir at the Rec de les Hortes and the Fà brica del Valls, before reaching the Pèlag Bullidor and the Torrent de Barquies. Along the way are various canals, springs and weirs; the landscape is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
El CamĂ del Riu can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, bringing visitors close to the river landscape. It offers a different thematic choice from the Ruta del Patrimoni: here, the focus is on riverbanks, waterways and nature, while the other route highlights the town's heritage sites.
The Mirador de Sant Jeroni offers another view of the landscape. From there, you can see a patchwork of gardens, orchards, olive groves, vineyards and forests; in the distance, the highest peaks of the Montserrat range are visible. This view complements the river route with another perspective on the landscape around Sant Pere de Riudebitlles.
Events and When to Visit
The Aplec del Pont Nou takes place every year on the first Sunday in May as a Sardana gathering and popular local festival. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, you can take its recurring date into account. The Biennal d'Art Riudebitlles follows a different schedule: it takes place every two years and focuses on contemporary works on paper or paper as a material. The works are exhibited at the entrances to houses in the old town, creating a dialogue with residents and visitors.
Riudebirres is the Mostra de cervesa artesana of the Vegueria Penedès, organised in Sant Pere de Riudebitlles. Visitors can sample craft beer and enjoy live music at the event. Wine, art, music, gastronomy and cultural heritage also came together at Riudevins: the event's edition on 9 May 2026 took place in private wine cellars in houses in the Barri Vell. If you are planning a trip specifically around an event, check the relevant dates.
Discover more destinations: Montmajor, Santa Eugènia De Berga, Prats de Lluçanès, Castellterçol, Vic, Abrera, Argençola, Sant Marti De Tous.
For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.
