LLUÇANES

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H1 The Lluçanès – Catalonia (Spain)

H2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

Located in the north-east of the Catalan Central Depression, the Lluçanès is a high plateau measuring nearly 400 km². It is a natural region but, but it does not form part of the current political demarcation, despite this being a historical demand (1). The towns of the Lluçanès belong to three bordering regions: Osona, the Bages and the Berguedà. This region is well connected with main roads, bus and train lines (from Barcelona and France), and the airports of Barcelona and Girona (2).

With a Mediterranean climate of continental tendency, the territory´s altitude contributes to moderate the temperatures in summer, while frosts can be frequent in the winter months. This climate also contributes to the wealth of cereal crops and the mix of pine, oak and holm oak woods. In the area bordering the Bages grapevine-filled landscapes are frequent.

(1) Regional Council of the Lluçanès

http://consorci.llucanes.cat/

(2) Visit the Lluçanès (Barcelona is much more)

http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/espaisturistics/llucanes/

H2 HISTORY AND HERITAGE

It is not in vain that the Lluçanès drips history from every corner: old farmhouses, mills, straw lofts, rural villages, tableaus, ceramics, legends and musical folklore, medieval, renaissance and baroque monuments...

From the 10th century (specifically the year 908) onwards documentation exists referring to the Castle of Lluçà that gives its name to the region, which over the course over the following centuries has suffered changes due to the different demarcations of counties. At the beginning of the seventeenth century the much sought after subveguería of the Lluçanès was created. The Lluçanès is currently demanding to be recognised as an official region of Catalonia.

H2 WHAT TO VISIT

The Lluçanès’s natural and architectural heritage translates into a long etcetera of places and monuments which invite the visitor to genuinely get to know the region´s history: great medieval ensembles (hermitages, sanctuaries, churches, monasteries), unique landscapes to lose oneself in (oak woods, hills, streams, holm oaks, ravines and fountains), and various legendary routes are a good excuse to enter into the heart of the most authentic Catalonia.

http://www.osonaturisme.com/default.php?idioma=EN

H3 THE ROMANIC AND MEDIEVAL ENSEMBLE OF SANTA MARIA DE LLUÇÀ

There is only one way to know how life in a medieval monastery was: to live it through a guided visit to the enclosure and cloisters, where it is also possible to discover some of the areas craftsmanship and enjoy activities in the open air and monastery´s gardens.

http://www.catalunya.com/monestir-de-santa-maria-de-lluca-17-16003-352

H3 THE WITCHCRAFT INTERPRETATION CENTRE

Using customs and beliefs as a basis, the visitor will be introduced to the ancestral and universal phenomena of witchcraft. The rituals, practices and tortures which condemned hundreds of women of the Lluçanès, accused of practising witchcraft during the 17th century, will be relived through an audiovisual montage.

http://www.gruptransversal.com/en/content/ruta-de-les-bruixes-del-llu%C3%A7an%C3%A8s

H3 THE PEROT ROCAGUINARDA CENTRE

Perot Rocaguinarda was one of the most emblematic bandits of seventeenth century Catalonia. This space shows the more legendary side of this character (called the ´Catalan Robin Hood`), mythologized even by his contemporaries, his shadow influenced authors such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Verdaguer or Maragall.

http://www.bruixesibandolers.com/olost/en/home/

H3 CAMADOCA: WILD FAUNA CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTRE

This centre for the conservation of the rivers and woods´ autochthonous fauna works to increase environmental awareness. It cares for animals which have come from centres for the recuperation of wild fauna and allows one to get to know species like crabs, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals first hand, while teaching how to preserve them as living jewels of nature.

H3 MAS LES VINYES

This self-sustaining farm project, created based on the criteria of permaculture and biological agriculture, offers workshops, along with leisure and health activities with the aim of obtaining an interchange of experiences while raising awareness among visitors of healthier and more sustainable ways of life.

http://www.maslesvinyes.com/

H3 TOWNS OF INTEREST

Prats de Lluçanès

The most important town of the Lluçanès proposes various walking and mountain bike routes as well as fixed orientation circuits. This is in addition to a rich architectural heritage well-stocked with sanctuaries, churches and chapels.

http://www20.gencat.cat/estatics/PalauRobert/RutesCat/pdf/776-Prats%20de%20Llucanes-Castella.pdf

http://patrimonicultural.diba.cat/index.php?codi_ine=08171

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prats_de_Llu%C3%A7an%C3%A8s

Lluçà

Apart from the well-known medieval Castle of Lluçà (12th to 14th centuries), this rural village counts with one of the most important Romanic monasteries (11th to 13th centuries) in Catalonia, and is an ideal place to enjoy nature in all its splendour: the Riera de Merlès Natural Interest Centre.

http://www.llusa.net/index.php?md=articles&id=569

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llu%C3%A7%C3%A0

Oristà

The imposing Castle of Olost, recently restored, is one of the symbols of this locality, which also possesses the castle of Tornamira, with some unique panoramic views which allow one to admire the Pyrenees, the Estany mountain range, Montserrat and the mountains of Berga, among others.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_Olost

http://www.monumentalnet.org/cataluna/barcelona/orista/orista/castillo_de_tornamira.php

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orist%C3%A1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orist%C3%A0

WHAT TO DO

Traditions are maintained alive in all the cultural and landscape offers of the Lluçanès, which finds that thematic routes are the best way to divulge its heritage.

HIKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTES

Mountain bike centres, signposted routes of varying difficulty and three long and short distance tracks allow one to discover the plateau of Lluçanès by bicycle or hiking: with woods, farmhouses, villages, streams and torrents, mountain peaks... Without forgetting the Transhumance Route, the nature itinerary through the Gavarresa or the fixed orientation circuit of Prats de Lluçanès.

http://www.turisme.llucanes.cat/turisme/activities

http://www.turisme.llucanes.cat/turisme/tur/route/4/SenderismealLlucanes

THE BREAD ROUTE

Bread lovers have the opportunity to discover the secrets of the world´s oldest food. Through a flour mill one is shown ancient ways of making bread with an artisan oven.

http://www.femturisme.cat/en/route/el-pa-al-llucanes/

POPULAR CULTURE, FAIRS AND TRADITIONS

Folklore is present in all the traditions which have been kept alive through centuries and centuries of history: the Witches Fair (in Sant Feliu Sasserra); annual artisan meetings in Alpens, Oristà or Olost; horse races in Perafita and Prats de Lluçanès; historical dances like the Contapàs or the Trencadansa; stick dancing, pilgrimages and flageolets in spring, along with festivals in every town, where the correfocs, dances, community meals and card championships are ever presents.

http://www.turisme.llucanes.cat/documents/view/Fires_del_Llu%C3%A7an%C3%A8s.pdf

CUISINE

Due to the great tradition of transhumance in the area, lamb is the gastronomic product par excellence. Aromatic herbs, mushrooms and truffles, along with pork, cod and duck are the genuine touch of cooking in the Lluçanès. This without forgetting the sauces, honeys and jams, farmhouse cheeses, cold meats, wood-fired bread and cakes baked in artisan ovens. Whether it is more sophisticated or cooked in a traditional homemade style, the cuisine of the Lluçanès stands out due to its flavours rich in textures and nuances.

http://www.turisme.llucanes.cat/turisme/gastronomy

http://www.turisme.llucanes.cat/turisme/gastronomy?s_category_id=5

TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF THE LLUÇANÈS

IN THE REGION OF OSONA