A day in Santa Perpètua: agricultural landscape, parks and heritage

MORNING

A walk through Santiga

We will start with a pleasant walk through the Vallès plain walking through the landscape of cultivated fields, scattered farms and riparian vegetation.

Circular route

Departure and arrival point: Santiga’s downtown

Approximate duration: 1h 40 minutes

*It is possible to do this route on foot or by bike.

Detailed information on the self-guided route can be found here.

We will leave downtown of Santiga, which consists of a square, the church of Santa Maria l’Antiga, a walled farm (known as the Castle of Santiga), the water deposit and some scattered farmhouses.

Among the outstanding heritage elements, it is worth mentioning the building known as the Castle of Santiga. It is a walled farm that has its origins in the 10th and 11th centuries. The aspect it has today responds to the reforms undertaken by Miquel de Salbà, Viceroy of Mallorca, who was a member of the royal commission responsible for negotiating the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659) with France. The church of Santa Maria l’Antiga is also a precious heritage resource. Everything indicates that this place was already occupied in Roman times, although the origins of the church of Santiga date back to the 12th century. The current appearance of the building is also the result of the renovations and extensions it has undergone over time.

The Castle can be seen from the outside and and the visit to the church of Santa Maria l ‘Antica, you can do it every second Sunday of the month (carried out by the local entity CREM: the second Sunday of the month from10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.).

Leaving the village of Santiga, we will cross the creek near the farm Mas de Can Barnola and head towards Can Padró, from where you can admire the agricultural landscape of this valley. We will reach the road from Santa Perpètua to Pedra Santa from where we will have views over the Vall de Santiga (Valley of Santiga) and its scattered farms.

Afterwards, we will pass through a forest before descending towards the Santiga Creek, where we will see riparian vegetation.

After this circular route, we will return to Santiga’s downtown.

You can download the detailed route information here: link.

Towards Santa Perpètua! A vermouth in the old town

Once you have taken this walk through Santiga, we suggest you go to the old town of Santa Perpètua to stroll through its pleasant streets. The downtown of the grew and shaped its urban network around the sagrera (sacred space sorrowunding the church) of the parish church.

Oh! And all while walking, you can take the opportunity to stop for a vermouth in one of the establishments you will find.

*What can’t you miss about this visit to the old town of Santa Perpètua?

The Church of Santa Perpètua

The church is located in a place that is documented from the Roman occupation. The current building is of medieval origin although its appearance responds to several renovations and expansions that have taken place over time. It should be noted that the Gothic style front that tells the life of Saint Perpètua and that is found adorning the altar of the temple is a reproduction, the original piece is preserved in the Diocesan Museum of Barcelona.

Vapor Aranyó

A magnificent industrial building from the late 19th century where several generations of women of the city worked. It currently houses a civic centre and work is under way to enable a museum of work and productive life.

Casal d ‘avis (Day centre for the elderly)

It is a colonial-style building that the town hall acquired from Domingo Tura Ricart who, on his return from the Americas, bought the summer tower of Andreu Farré.

Granja Soldevila (Soldevila Farm)

Continuing our walk and towards the central park, we can reach the Soldevila farm which currently houses the municipal offices, the School of Music and Dance, the Josep Jardí Library and the Municipal Museum.

The origin of this large building dates back to the 11th century, at which time it appears documented as Mas Granollach. The Soldevila family of businessmen acquired it at the beginning of the 20th century, and the architect of the reform turned it into a beautiful modernist-style residence. It should be noted that the Soldevilas were important entrepreneurs in the agricultural and agri-food sector. In fact, they were pioneers in the patenting of infant formula milk and other dairy products.

Museu Municipal (Municipal Museum)

Wednesday to Friday from 5.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday from 11am to 2pm

Last Sunday of the month from 11am to 2pm

WHERE TO HAVE LUNCH

For lunch you can choose between eating in one of the different restaurants that you will find in Santa Perpètua or, having a picnic in the Central Park.

*It is important to note that tables and chairs cannot be used, in accordance with the rules of use of the Central Park. You can have picnics on the ground (over a blanket) and please always collect all the waste once you are done.

AFTERNOON

Central Park

Then we suggest you go stretch your legs in the Parc Central of Santa Perpètua, a huge green lung not to be missed!

On this link you can check how to get to the Central Park and the map of the whole complex.

The Central Park has six different areas: the Passeig dels Colors, the Camí de la Granja, the Passeig de la Ribera, the Bassa, the Anella and the Plaça de l’Amfiteatre.

In the main space, the Bassa, you can do various recreational and sports activities and there is a space for children to drive smallboats. In the Anella area there will be a road education circuit, a bicycle parking area and a basketball court. On the Passeig dels colors you will find a route to from the Passeig de la Florida to the Parc de la Ribera and two playgrounds for children. At the Passeig de la Ribera, with its extensive vegetation, you will also find a cycle path. The Camí de la Granja has an imposing grove of banana trees by the side of the road. And finally, the space of the amphitheater, designed to enjoy varied cultural shows.

In this large green space you can spend all afternoon doing outdoor activities!