Route of the Sanctuaries of Central Catalonia: Pinós, El Miracle and Queralt

• Excursions

DATE: November 9 at 8am 

An interesting excursion to the heart of Catalonia to discover three of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the country: Santa Maria de Pinós, located at the geographical center of Catalonia; El Miracle, a unique sanctuary with the most spectacular Baroque altarpiece in Catalonia; and Santa Maria de Queralt, the balcony of the Berguedà. Additionally, during the excursion, we will have the opportunity to visit the oldest open inn in Catalonia and enjoy a very easy and pleasant 40-minute walk around the El Miracle sanctuary, which offers excellent views of this part of the region.

• Visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Pinós and the oldest open inn in Catalonia

Situated at the top of the Pinós mountain range, at over 900 meters above sea level, it is the geographical center of Catalonia, marked by a rose of winds carved in stone at this site. It’s no wonder that from this center of devotion and its viewpoints, one can admire a magnificent panorama that includes the Pyrenees, Collsacabra, and Montseny.

Near the sanctuary, we will also have the chance to visit the oldest open inn in Catalonia, dating back to the 16th century.

• Visit to the Sanctuary of El Miracle

This is the most popular sanctuary in the region, located in a place of great beauty. It is an impressive ensemble made up of the church; the Casa Gran, an ancient pilgrim hostel; the house of spirituality that welcomes those seeking an atmosphere of peace and prayer; the cells; and the Benedictine monastery where a small community of monks from Montserrat still resides. The church of the sanctuary houses the greatest Baroque treasure of Catalonia: the altarpiece of the Miracle, created by the Morató brothers.

• Visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Queralt

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Queralt is located in Berga, the capital of the Berguedà, and is known as one of the balconies of Catalonia. The Queralt complex includes the Sanctuary where the image of the Virgin of Queralt is venerated and a notable adjacent building that once housed the sanctuary’s guesthouse, which now contains a restaurant and the station for the inclined funicular, accessible from the parking areas. Also part of the sanctuary is the church of La Cova where, according to legend, the image of the Virgin was found.

• Easy circular walk of 2.5 km and 40 minutes duration

This is one of the most popular excursions in the Solsonès region. It is a very pleasant circular walk of 5.5 km (about 2 hours long) suitable for all audiences, with a great variety of landscapes and beautiful views of Solsona and much of the region.

THE PLAN:

• 8 AM: We will meet at Universitat Square to board our private bus. Stop for breakfast during the journey.
• 10:30-11:30 AM: Visit to the sanctuary of Santa Maria de Queralt.
• 11:30-12:15 PM: Bus to the Sanctuary of El Miracle.
• 12:15-1:15 PM: Visit to the sanctuary of El Miracle.
• 1:15-2 PM: Circular walk (2.5 km) around the sanctuary.
• 2-2:30 PM: Bus to the Hostal de Pinós, the oldest in Catalonia.
• 2:30-4:30 PM: Free time for lunch (option to eat together at the Hostal de Pinós. Menu price: 21 euros).
• 4:30-5:30 PM: Visit to the sanctuary of Pinós.
• 5:30 PM: Return bus, arriving back in Barcelona around 8 PM.

Languages: Spanish and Catalan (if you need some additional explanations in English, there is no problem)
Accompanying guide: Toni Bellido (official guide of Barcelona and Catalonia)

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

✔︎ The walk of 2.5 km is easy and suitable for all audiences.

✔︎ Option to eat together at Hostal Pinós, the oldest open restaurant in Catalonia

✔︎ The excursion would only be canceled if the weather conditions were very adverse