Rupit, Besalú and other medieval towns from Barcelona

Rupit is the first main stop in our itinerary but it is possible also have a look to a man made lake called Sau. This lake is very famous in Catalonia being an example to explain the consequences of the global warming.

The lake used to hide the old town of Sant Romà de Sau, including the homonym church, but the last draughts and higher temperatures allow people check out part of the abandoned town.

Another possibility before reaching Rupit is stopping Vic, a small city, capital of Osona. Vic hosts a cathedral, which still preserves a romanesque bell tower. The town has an imposing central square, surrounded by stores and cafes. In the past the center of the trade activity.

Vic has a good reputation in the production of pork cold meat products like 'fuet' and 'llonganissa', as well as pastries like 'coca d'anís'. We can try a bit of each!

Rupit is the first main stop in our itinerary along this daytrip. The beaty of Rupit is its preservation. Walking down the streets of Rupit one can think that nothing changed in the last centuries.

And honestly, a small town as Rupit is the best example of a catalan countryside village. This is why six of the houses we can see in Rupit were chosen to take part of the 'Spanish Town', a recreation of the best houses all over Spain that are showed to the public in Montjuich hill in Barcelona.

Rupit has tens of houses build in between XVI-XVIII centuries, as well as a very interesting suspension bridge to enter in the main streets of the village.

It is not necessary stay in a good shape to walk down the streets of Rupit but for the ones who need more we can walk to a waterfall (100 meters high).

Shopping in Rupit is a perfect idea for the ones who want to bring back home some farming products as cold meat, cheese, honey, fruit gems, olive oil, ratafia (catalan digestive drink).

Castellfollit de la Roca is a spectacular town build on top of a hill made after a couple of volcanic eruptions dates about 200,000 years ago.

For the construction of the houses were used mostly basaltic rocks. The town also has a couple of pastries small factories where tourists can buy cookies, muffins, 'carquinyolis' and other typical pastries from the region.

Besalú was the capital of a small catalan county since the end of VIII century. This towns were important in the trade of products and animals like horses from the big mountains (Pyrenees) on the way to the Mediterranean.

The town also hosted for some centuries an important jewish comunity. Still it is possible to have a look to the mikve in Besalu. In fact, it is the best preserved mikve in the whole Spain.

Probably, the Besalú Bridge is the most emblematic and photographed spot of the town. Besalú has a few interesting squares where you can do a short break and the last shopping before heading back Barcelona.