Do you already know Gallifa? If you have not yet had the pleasure, in Willy’s plan we have a route that will take you to know the most charming places of this town in Catalonia. Cheer up, there is still a lot to see if you have already visited what to do in Barcelona city.
In this excursion we will enjoy all the magic of the forests and nature of Gallifa. In this tour we will enjoy 3 stops where we will include: the village of Gallifa, Santuari de Gallifa and Sant Sadurní Gallifa. Undoubtedly an adventure in the middle of the mountains.
A Willy’s plan designed to share with family, friends or as a couple; ideal for those looking for routes with moderate difficulty and easy to do. Touring it can take all day, so we will dedicate the necessary time to enjoy it from beginning to end. So get some good sneakers and a snack or two ready for the road as we are going to visit Gallifa.
To start we will have a look around the village of Gallifa where we will visit part of the historical center and have breakfast in one of the typical restaurants of this place. Our second stop is at the hill of Gallifa, a mountain easy to climb, very attractive to connect with the majesty of nature and most importantly houses the Santuari de Gallifa, one of the most significant places for the culture and history of this community.
Finally, we finish climbing to La Mola ( 1,104m high) where we can enjoy spectacular views and know the Sant Sadurní Gallifa.
Gallifa
This small town of about 200 inhabitants, is located just 40 kilometers from the city of Barcelona and is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, if you are looking to disconnect from the noise of the city and immerse yourself in the calm of rural life.
Gallifa is a place of tradition, so it retains an intact historic core and its inhabitants still live in farmhouses, places that tell great legends. The outdoor excursions in this town are fabulous, most people come in search of mountain and hiking practices; thanks to its trails are ideal to live the best sporting experience surrounded by nature.
Sanctuary of Gallifa
The Santuari de Gallifa or castle of Gallifa, is part of a small fortification that is 600 meters high at the top of the plain of Gallifa.
This place was during the Middle Ages the historical center of the town and served as a wall to protect against the conquerors. It is important to keep in mind that this place dates back to 999, so it had its splendor during the Middle Ages and that is why most of the building is already in ruins. The Santa María del Castillo parish church is the only part of the building that still preserves the Romanesque design, as it was restored during the last century and is undoubtedly the main attraction when climbing this hill.
This sanctuary was reopened in 1986 and since then has been considered an ecological heritage site for the population. In addition, the views of this place are enchanting at first sight and it is the main attraction for the curious, who come at any time of the year.
Sant Sadurní de Gallifa
Sant Sadurní de Gallifa is a Romanesque chapel located at the top of La Mola . This hill reaches about 942 meters high and from there you can see the northeastern part of the village of Gallifa and incredible panoramic views of the Vallès Occidental and Moianès.
This hermitage of Sant Sadurní de Gallifa is not alone. In this medieval building, it was built right next to what we know today as the fox lookout. From here you can see part of the Catalan Pyrenees and the hill of Montserrat. There is also a 2-story square building, probably added two centuries later, which, according to the remains, could have been a bell tower or a defense tower.
The truth is that we included this place in our route, because we wanted you to know its architectural importance, but what we love most every time we go to Gallifa, are the incredible postcards that gives us this place and the immensity of the forests and nature that houses it. That is why here we recommend you to take some good pictures for the memory and hopefully a nice sunset will catch you.
