Association of Tourism Businesses of Montseny

Vallgorguina
Tel. 938 679 125
www.vallgorguina.diba.es

Parròquia de Sant Andreu de Vallgorguina

Vallgorguina is located in a valley which is located between the mountain ranges of El Montnegre and El Corredor, natural areas of important ecological and scenic value. The town is surrounded by wood-covered mountains where a large variety of animal and plant species can be found. This natural area makes the valley an ideal location for walking routes, and sports such as horse riding and mountain biking.

Vallgorguina, as well as having important natural wealth, has an ancient history which has left us a great deal of evidence about the past: a dolmen some 4,000 years old, and the area is known throughout Catalonia for its legends about witches; old abandoned towns such as the Romanesque settlement of Sta. Eulàlia de Tapioles, and farmhouses of different styles and eras etc.

All of this makes the town and its surroundings well worth a visit.

Heritage and History

The name of Vallgorguina is mentioned for the first time in the 10th century, in a document from the cartulary of Sant Cugat. But the first signs of population settlement are much older. The oldest evidence known of human presence in the area is that of the dolmen of Pedra Gentil. There are also archaeological remains from the era of the Iberians, in the site at Puig Castell. The present town dates from the end of the 18th century.

The first houses were grouped alongside the present old road, the square of Plaça Maragall and the street of Carrer Montseny. In 1848 the present-day church was built, and the old one became the cemetery chapel.

Traditional economic activity in the area involved working in the woods and fields. The main agricultural activity was growing fodder while forestry work involved making firewood, wood stacks, charcoal, barrel hoops etc., although the main activity was peeling cork bark. During the 19th century vineyards and livestock farming were important here.

The first industry was a small mill, “La Hilandera”. At present there are two industrial estates, Eurast and El Molinot, both are located near Exit 11 of the AP7 motorway.

At present 1,800 people live in the town. In the decade of the nineties the area experienced an important increase in population growth. From 1860 to 1970 the town had been progressively losing inhabitants. In the seventies this phenomenon was inverted when Vallgorguina became a summer centre and the estates of Can Puigdemir, Canadà Park, Baronia, and Collsacreu were built

Areas of Interest for Tourists

The Dolmen of Pedra Gentil
Location: At kilometre 13.2 of the C-61 road from Sant Celoni to Arenys de Mar, take the forestry road which goes to the Santuari del Corredor, and which branches off from the bridge of Can Pradell de la Serra.
There is a signposted walking route entitled "The Dolmen of Pedra Gentil", the leaflet can be found in the town at the offices of the Natural Park of El Montnegre and El Corredor.

A megalithic construction formed by 7 vertically positioned slabs, topped by a roof stone. The original appearance of the dolmen is still unknown today. Thanks to written documents we know that in the year 1855 it was restored by Josep Pradell, the owner of the land where it stands.
If you would like more information you can visit the exhibition:
THE DOLMEN OF PEDRA GENTIL, ARCHAEOLOGY AND LEGEND
located in the “Casal del Poble” (first floor), carrer Església, 13
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10.00hrs to 14.00hrs

The Church of Sant Andreu de
Vallgorguina
Location: In the church square next to the town council.
Era: 19th century
Date: 1848
Style: Popular baroque

Masia de Can Vilar
To arrive here take the road at the end of the road El carrer de Mataró. There is a walking route indicated as "Can Vilar i el sot de can Montasell", you can find the leaflet at the offices of the Natural Park of El Montnegre and El Corredor. 16th century country house.

Masia de Can Pradell de La Serra
Location: At kilometre 13.2 of the C-61 road from Sant Celoni to Arenys de Mar, take the forestry road which goes to the Santuari del Corredor, and which branches off from the bridge of Can Pradell de la Serra. 19th century house.

The Church of Santa Eulàlia de Tapioles
Santa Eulàlia is located in a highly frequented area of the Natural Park of the Corredor, near the Pedra Gentil dolmen. Location: At kilometre 13.2 of the C-61 road from Sant Celoni to Arenys de Mar, take the forestry road which goes to the Santuari del Corredor, and which branches off from the bridge of Can Pradell de la Serra.
Once past the crossroads for the Pedra Gentil dolmen leave the forest path and keep to the right until you reach the 19th century church.

The earliest historical document known to date goes back to the 9th Century. A document from the year 878 in which the French king, Louis the Stammerer confirms all the properties and privileges for the See of Barcelona and in which Sta. Eulàlia de Tapioles is mentioned. Nothing is known of the building which the document refers to. Documental references during the mediaeval era are numerous. It is known that in the 10th century the church belonged to the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Later, in 1850, Josep Pradell, owner of the farmhouse of Can Pradell de la Serra renovated the house, giving it a baroque style. It is certain that the work included constructing the cemetery, the bell tower and the crowning of the curved main facade which has not been conserved. The exterior walls were decorated with graffiti of geometric shapes similar to those of the Masia de Can Pradell.