Campdevànol

The town of Campdevànol

• Origins

  Two archaeological finds tell us that the history of Campdevànol stretches back over 9,000 years. In the 13th century, the municipality was included in the vegueria, or feudal jurisdiction, of Ripoll. It was in the 17th century when Campdevànol took its place in history as an important seat of industry, thanks to its production of iron, gypsum, cement and textiles.

• Did you know that…?

  Campdevànol’s identity is closely linked to its traditional dance, La Gala, a unique piece of Catalan folklore that has been declared a Heritage Festival Element of National Interest. Its name may derive from the fact that it is the gala dance of the town’s festival or because of the dance leader’s galanteig (gallantry) towards the female dancers. La Gala possibly dates back to the 17th century, when the Confraternities of the Rosary were at their height.

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  Sant Cristòfol

  This Gothic church, whose bell tower stands 46 metres tall, is one of the municipality’s most emblematic sights. It was built in 1945 in the aftermath of the Civil War and the 1944 earthquake.

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  Sant Llorenç de Campdevànol

  This Romanesque church built in the 11th and 12th centuries is located on road that leads from the municipality to Gombrèn.

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  Sant Pere d'Aüira

  This Romanesque church, which dates back to the year 1150, is on the outskirts of the town and offers exceptional views of the surrounding area.

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  El Pont de la Cabreta

  This 11th-century bridge crosses the Freser at the point where the valley starts to broaden as the river heads out of town towards the Ribes Valley.

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  The Molí Gros and Pyrfer centre

  They are located in a manor house adjacent to Plaça de la Dansa. The house dates back to the 17th century and its big mill, the Molí Gros, was powered by water. It is now home to the Molí Gros Ecomusuem and the Pyrfer Interpretation Centre, which focuses on the area’s iron legacy, from nail-makers through to today’s metallurgical industry.

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  Pinacothèque Coll Bardolet - Art Gallery

  Josep Coll Bardolet was born in Campdevànol in 1912 and lived in Valldemossa (Majorca) from 1944 until his death in 2007 . Coll Bardolet’s paintings show Renaissance influences and reflect how his heart was torn between the Pyrenean slopes of his youth and the Balearic light of his later life.

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  Torrent de la Cabana

  This route follows the mountain-fresh stream of Estiula, popularly known as La Cabana, where you can take in the visual beauty of its waterfalls and the diversity of its plant life, particularly its riverside woods mainly formed by alder trees and groves of Scots pines.