Alt Penedès, its mild temperatures and its sinuous vines fields give character to a territory famous for the quality of its wines and "cavas"...
This is an area halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona, with excellent communications. The region covers an extensive plain bounded by different precoastal hills, where the fields of vines are the most characteristic landscape.
Wine and "cava" (Spanish wine) of this territory is of high quality which gives rise to the famous Penedes Appellation. On the other hand we can visit and enjoy all its attractions: Garraf Natural Park, the modernist buildings, traditions, festivals, castles, Vilafranca del Penedès, Anoia Sant Sadurní of, etc.
Environmental tourism resources:
One of the natural attractions of the region is to observe and walk among the more than 26.000 hectáreas (greater continuous area of vineyards of Catalonia) cultivation of vineyards spread across the plains and mountains of Penedes. This is the most common landscape of this area with large fields and vineyards aligned parallel plots and rural roads bounded by stone walls. The Penedes is a great place and recognized for the high quality of wine and champagne that is produced annually and resulting in the famous Penedes Appellation. The secret of this success lies in the characteristics of the land and the weather warm and soft, near the sea and a centuries-old production technique.
The cultivation of the vine requires significant work and with the passing of the seasons we can see how it will produce a color change in these fields: in winter styling and strains are pruned in spring and summer are caring strains, is flavored and finally land in the autumn grape harvest and begins the process of preparing the champagne and wine.
Garraf Natural Park: in the southern part of the region find this natural area with a total of 12.300hectáreas spread between the regions of Garraf, Alt Penedès and Baix Llobregat. It is a park with a very peculiar and unique in our area: low relief, steep valleys, sparse vegetation and a very rocky landscape. Scattered around the place are old farmhouses, a small village of huts and cabins vineyard. There are different routes properly marked for all ages.
Cultural Resources:
Alt Penedès Modernism: the early twentieth century of the Penedès wine industry was pushed closely linked economically to the construction of modernist buildings. These were commissioned architects and artists of great renown who left an important architectural legacy. We can find examples of Art Nouveau in the villages of San Sadurní of Anoia (Casa Lluís Mestres, Rigol Cal, Cal Calixtus, the Agricultural Ateneu or Santacana Stores Roig), Vilafranca del Penedès (Crypt of San. Mary, Casa de la Vila, pharmacy Guasch , Can Freixedes, Berger and Balaguer House or the House Miro), Gelida and scattered throughout the area.
Freixenet and Codorniu winery: we are able to get into the magnificent wineries of the two great symbols of Catalan cava where we will discover the process of preparing, storing, tasting and beautiful spaces, etc. These represent a land historically dedicated to the cultivation of the vine and the production of cava. The magnificent Art Nouveau building of the Cavas Codorniu is listed National Monument and the Cavas Freixenet, with admirable undulating cornice with glazed tile colors.
Castles in Alt Penedès: scattered throughout the region we can find great medieval fortifications that integrate seamlessly into the landscape of vineyards. Castles highlights: Castle of Castellet, Penyafort Castle, Castle Subirats, Gelida Castle, Castle Mediona, etc.
Monumental medieval de Sant Martí Sarroca: top of a hill and poured into the cliffs are one of the examples best preserved medieval and Romanesque Catalonia. This is a castle dating from the eleventh century and the Romanesque church of Santa María (S. XII), which preserves an interesting Gothic altarpiece. This was restored by the famous modernist architect Josep Puig in 1906 and is listed as a historic-artistic Generalitat of Catalonia.
Other notable visits (churches and chapels): historic Olèrdola, Monastery of Sant Sebastia dels Gorgs, chapel of Sant Esteve de Wet, medieval Hospital of Bonesvalls Olesa, Chapel of San Juan Mountain, the hermitage of San. Joan Samora, Puente Nuevo (St. Pere de Riudebitlles), Sant Marçal de Terrassola, viewpoint and sanctuary of Santa Maria de Foix.
Vilafranca del Penedes: the capital of the county has a strong commercial character still significant in the weekly market held every Saturday with over 400 stalls. The old town of Vilafranca, the Basilica of Santa Maria, the Palacio del Fraret and church of San Juan are outstanding examples of Gothic style. We can find modern buildings: Crypt of St. Mary, Casa de la Vila, pharmacy Guasch, Can Freixedes, Casa Casa Balaguer Berger and Miró.
VINSEUM: the museum of the villa has been renovated and transformed into a center adapted to the times where one can discover the culture of wine in Catalonia and in this region. The museum is located in the center of town in Plaza Jaume I and the main site is a medieval palace of the XII century.
Traditional Festivals:
Castellet medieval market: in a unique setting such as the reservoir of Foix and the castle of Castellet, held in mid June, a market that will make us relive the medieval era and the heyday of the fortification. The streets and squares are filled with artisans, animals and shows that we will enjoy a different weekend and peculiar to the whole family.
Festa Major de Vilafranca del Penedès: it is a party with a long tradition (XVII) and ceremony listed in the national interest. Popular participation is visible in each of the acts carried out in the streets and squares of the town: parades, dances, concerts, castles and correfoc, entry of the saint in the Basilica of Santa Maria. The highlight of the festival is the performance castellera of Day of San Felix where different groups involved and the main square is filled to the brim. Late August early September.
The Phylloxera: mid-September in festival Sant Sadurní that revolves around one of the most important events in the history of this town. Phylloxera is an insect that in the late nineteenth century devastated all the vineyards of the town, leaving the economy in a critical state of sadurnidencos.
During the two days there will be different popular events such as parades and dance heads, giant, music, correfocs, etc.
Active tourism
This region known for its extensive vineyards, the winemaking tradition and quality of wine. This fact makes many of the activities that can be done in this area revolve around him.
The so-called "Roads of Wine" is a series of itineraries that cover the salient points of this region. They all offer us different attractions of the region, whether castles, churches, villages, interesting natural environment, etc., Y are very well marked. Can be made on foot, bicycle or horse.
For lovers of the wine world, there is a wide range of possibilities: you can also visit the wineries of the region and tastings, workshops, learn the process of development and different activities.
Other activities in the region: adventure sports, horse riding, balloon flights ...
Near Alt Penedès - Barcelona ...
Sitges: town situated on the coast, very close to Barcelona, and which possesses a special charm that has always attracted artists and tourists from around the world. The streets and squares of its historic centre maintain character maritime of the village, with its modern century past. Important cultural offer (the Cau Ferrat Museum), stunning beaches and an environment that will not leave indifferent.
Montserrat mountain: this massif has an altitude of 1236 meters, it is one of the most important and emblematic Catalan mountains. It has a very peculiar shape and a rough relief, with big walls and rounded blocks. 725 metres we find the monastery of Montserrat. It is a natural ideal to practice climbing and hiking.
Montserrat monastery: situated on the mountain of Montserrat, this Benedictine monastery is one of the symbols of Catalonia. Here you will find "Moreneta" Virgin of Catalonia, Escolania de Montserrat, one of the corals with more history of Europe, Museum, library and permanent collections with a lot of artistic and cultural heritage.
Castles of Anoia: this region has a large number of castles and fortifications built in the 10th century. At present the most outstanding buildings are the following: Claramunt Castle, Castle of Vilademàger, Castellfollit de Riubregós Castle, Castle of Tossa de Montbui, Clariana Castle.
Claramunt Castle: is the best preserved Castle in the region of the Anoia and one of the ten best in Catalonia. It is located on a small mountain of 461 m and we can find the village of La Pobla de Claramunt, town that gives its name to the fortification of the century x. can access by car or on foot (about 40 minutes from the village). Open from Wednesday to Sunday,