The fourth section consists essentially of long descents, but it is developed in a terrain sometimes quite rugged until Queralbs; in addition, it presents a series of some false landings, especially towards the final part of the route.
Queralbs
An ancient village in the Vall de Ribes, at the confluence of the gorges of Núria and Freser, it was for a long time a territory of shepherds. It has also had a long tradition of mining and Catalan forges, marking the life and memory of the inhabitants, as well as the landscape, today protected by the Natural Park of the Capçaleres del Ter and Freser.
Romanesque art is, without a doubt, the art most closely linked to the origins of Catalan culture, and Queralbs has a remarkable testimony. Indeed, apart from the remains of the castle (14th or 15th centuries), the Romanesque church of Sant Jaume is the main built heritage of the town. From the 12th century, as a result of the rebuilding of the primitive church consecrated in 978, the monument stands out especially for the portico that covers the south wall, formed by six limestone arches that rest on five columns of blue marble. One of the best preserved examples of Catalan Romanesque porches to this day.
Origin of the name: “Queralbs” derives from the Celtic ker (rock, rock) and the Latin alba (white), knowing that calcareous soils abound in the area.
Fustanyà
A slightly elevated village in the municipality of Queralbs, on the left bank of the river Freser, above its confluence with the Serrat stream, in the middle of the Ribes valley.
The place, with few houses and a large farmhouse, is the oldest town in the vicinity, and was probably originally a Roman cattle farm. Thus, the parish church of Sant Sadurní, already mentioned in 819 in the act of consecration of the cathedral of Urgell, belonged to the abbey of Sant Martí del Canigó, in El Conflent, and retains a remarkable Romanesque tool. The neighborhood also maintains an old original tradition, along with the village of Queralbs: around Sant Joan, the blessing of the town and the “Caritats” (distribution of buns) are celebrated.
Origin of the name: “Fustanyà” would derive from the Latin proper name faustinius, and would designate an agricultural property of the Roman time.
Ribes de Freser
“Goodbye, caves of Ribes, I will never see them again, a healing fountain of living waters.” Canigó, Cant XII – Jacint Verdaguer
Capital of the Vall de Ribes, a territory with its own personality in the heart of Ripollès, the term is characterized by the abundant presence of rivers, springs of mineral water of high value and numerous springs.
The town was born under the protection of the Castle of Sant Pere (14th and 15th centuries, with some 12th century walls), located on a small hill; the original church of Santa Maria was demolished in 1936 and replaced by a modern temple. Above all, it should be emphasized that natural resources have always been a source of wealth, and that industrial activity has a long historical tradition: from the 19th century until today, there have been several spas, hydroelectric power stations, a company water packer, and ores and forges for iron, nickel and copper. The granes of Ribes, reddish rock
orange of subvolcanic origin, forms on the town some unique needles in Catalonia. The illustrious Catalan playwright Àngel Guimerà spent his summers there.
Origin of the name: “Freser” can designate in Catalan a place where the trout will lay, but the original name could be proper and Germanic (fridari) or Latin (febrarius) and indicate a river as “feverish”.
