Attractions and Places To See in Reserva Natural De Puigventós - Top 9

Wonderful trail to reach it, very nice place and fantastic views. Really worth the way up !

The hermitage of Sant Pere is the old chapel of the Sacama (or Camba) castle and is dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle. It is a single nave with a semicircular Lombard apse and a bell tower in the shape of a small chair. The apse is what remains of the old Romanesque chapel, built between 963 and 966, on the remains of a primitive Visigothic oratory. It has a magnificent appearance, with a clear stone work, Lombard arches and a small central semicircular window. The rest of the nave is the result of a later reconstruction. The door faces west and is linteled. During the years 1985 and 1986, the Center Muntanyenc i de Recerques Olesà carried out the last restoration of the chapel. In the course of the work, two small niches were discovered at both ends of the central window of the apse, in which fragments of Romanesque mural painting are still preserved. In the archaeological interventions that have been carried out, important vestiges have been found both inside and outside the hermitage: the presence of a site from the Iberian period from the 2nd century BC. C. and the remains of a house classified as Carolingian and a necropolis from the medieval period (14th-15th centuries). The chapel had a baroque altarpiece with the central image of Saint Peter and, on the sides, those of Saint Lucía and Saint Oliva, patron saint of Olesa. Separated from the wall, suggesting an ambulatory, was the space that was used as a sacristy, in which there is evidence that there was an old Gothic altarpiece. The carvings were burned during the Civil War. The Castle of Sant Pere Sacama was a small defensive construction from the Carolingian era that controlled the road from Olesa to Vacarisses and Terrassa. Currently, only pieces of stone wall left in a herringbone shape (opus spicatum). Under the chapel was the Sant Pere farmhouse, which was active until the 1970s. To the west of the castle and on a small hill, Mas Vilar stood, dating back to the 11th century. Currently, it is a pile of ruins from which you can distinguish the base of a circular tower and a couple of silos. Between 1996 and 1998, an archaeological excavation was carried out that has allowed us to document the architectural evolution of a medieval farmhouse from its beginning to its abandonment. During the work, the skeleton of an individual from medieval times was found, with signs of having been murdered and hidden inside one of these silos of the farmhouse. This discovery deserved special attention from the press and even appeared in an issue of National Geographic magazine. Although the hermitage can be seen from the outside, you have to ask the owner of the place for the keys to access it. It is said that this place was where Olesa de Montserrat began to be created, very close, is the "Creu de Saba", the highest place on the Puigventos mountain, on days without pollution, you can see the sea. You can also continue along the path that leads to Puigventos and reach the Hermitage of Sant Salvador de les Espases. We are facing what remains of an old castle of the Hispanic March, converted into a hermitage. In the past there was also a farmhouse right on the esplanade in front and nearby are the remains of Mas Vilar, with a gloomy history behind it. Architecturally and decoratively there are only two identical Romanesque churches in Catalonia, Sant Pere Sacama is one of them. You can also see vestiges of the old Camba castle, a very important fortress in Catalonia during the Catalan Counties. An important medieval necropolis was discovered in the region of the hermitage. Nearby we can also see Mas Vilar, the former house of the feudal lord of the castle.

The legend of Sant Salvador says that during a tough battle with the Saracens and the Christians, the latter were clearly inferior and asked God for help. Ramon Berenguer the Great on one side and Al-Mansur on the other faced each other in the contest. So, God threw them some great "swords of fire" that were stuck between the two sides protecting the Christians who gave thanks to God, the "Saviour". We see these swords turned into stone on the path that goes from La Puda to the hermitage and they are quartz conglomerate needles sculpted by water and wind.

El Puig Cendrós is a 499 m mountain included in the list of the 100 peaks of the F.E.E.C. https://www.feec.cat/activitatis/100-cims/cim/puig-cendros/ Not that it has wonderful views, but its flat top allows for a good stop and a bite. From the Pla del Fideuer you can access it without problems by what we can consider its normal ascent, but for the more daring you should know that on its west side there is a very entertaining ascent.

Turó de la Gronya is a mountain that dominates the town of Olesa de Montserrat. At its top we find a huge landmark that I imagine every person who passes adds another stone. We have a good panorama of the Baix Llobregat up to its mouth and the surroundings of Olesa and Esparraguera, as well as, as it could not be otherwise, the ubiquitous Mount Montserrat

The hermitage of Sant Salvador de les Espases, declared a cultural asset of national interest, is erected on top of a hill, in an isolated espadat, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surroundings and Montserrat. Former chapel of the Castle of Swords, it appears mentioned in 1351, and is linked to the legend that explains that during the battle between Christians and Muslims, the latter wanted to conquer the land where the castle was located. In clear inferiority, the Christians asked God for help, who sent a rain of fiery swords that forced the Saracens to retreat. In gratitude, the chapel dedicated to the Savior was erected. In reality, the name comes from the rugged terrain where the castle is located, in the shape of a sword. It has a single nave, low vault and quadrangular apse and currently has a Gothic appearance due to reforms in the 17th century. Over time, it has undergone some repairs, the last in 1989, when the altarpiece was restored. Apart from the chapel, there is an open room with benches and tables, a dining room and a kitchen that are open to the public on Thursdays and Sundays and on the day of the Gathering, the first Sunday in September. The maintenance and conservation tasks are in charge of the association Amics de Sant Salvador de les Espases. Since 1868, the chapel has belonged to the Parish of Santa Maria d'Olesa, although, as a curiosity, it should be noted that it is located at the point of confluence of the municipalities of Olesa, Esparreguera and Vacarisses. The Castle of Swords Documented in 985, it was built in a very strategic and impregnable location, isolated from the nearby ridges and quite high compared to the two streams that surround it. It acted as a border surveillance point for the Llobregat to ensure Christian rule, since the river was the border with Al-Andalus and the region suffered clashes with the Saracens. Currently, only the base of a circular tower remains as a vestige.

The Pla del Fideuer is a border pass between the municipalities of Olesa de Montserrat and Vacarisses. Roads branch out in all directions. If you don't want to walk a lot, you can leave your car relatively close and go on a pleasant outing with the family. There is a place with tables where you can have a picnic.

The hermitage of San Salvador de les Espases, declared a cultural asset of national interest, stands on top of a mountain, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surroundings and of Montserrat. The old chapel of the Castillo de les Espases is mentioned in 1351 and is linked to the legend that explains that during the battle between Christians and Muslims, the latter wanted to conquer the land where the castle was located. Clearly outmatched, the Christians called on God for help, who sent a rain of flaming swords that forced the Saracens to retreat. In gratitude, the chapel dedicated to the Savior was built. Actually, the name comes from the rugged terrain where the castle stands, in the shape of a sword. It has a single nave, a low vault and a quadrangular apse and currently has a Gothic appearance due to reforms in the 17th century. Over time, it has undergone some repairs, the last in 1989, when the altarpiece was restored. Apart from the chapel, there is an open room with benches and tables, a dining room and a kitchen that are open to the public on Thursdays and Sundays and on the day of the Encounter, the first Sunday in September. Maintenance and upkeep tasks are the responsibility of the Friends of San Salvador de les Espases association. Since 1868, the hermitage has belonged to the Santa Maria de Olesa Parish, although, as a curiosity, it should be noted that it is located at the point of confluence of the municipalities of Olesa, Esparreguera and Vacarisses.