Rupit: Solid as a Rock

Heading north from Barcelona is a rich preamble to the Pyrenees in several shapes: El Berguedà, la Plana de Vic, La Selva, the volcanic Garrotxa and  the forests of Montseny.

The higher you go the more likely it is you’ll find a landscape of towns and villages with medieval roots. Climate models as well as historical records demonstrate how, in the Middle Ages, both politics and weather conditions favored a profusion of settlements in the Pyrenees and pre-Pyrenees regions. As time passed the villages were shaped by their roles in trade and political events and many diminished in size and relevance. That is precisely the case with Rupit.

Just under 100 kilometers from Barcelona, Rupit is located in Osona County; it grew around the castle of Fàbregues founded in the 10th century by the Viscount of Osona. The castle was built on top of a large rock formation and it’s no coincidence that the word “rupes” is Latin for “rock.”

Three features of Rupit stand out: the landscape surrounding the village, the large rock formation upon which the village sits and its singular and compact arrangement of buildings that crown that rock formation.

Upon arriving at the village, the view of the buildings is striking. Getting closer, it becomes clear what made this fortified place so ideal hundreds of years ago. The meandering river—Riera de Rupit—that surrounds most of the bedrock even provides a kind of natural moat. Eventually when houses grew around the castle this configuration turned into a very compact and contained urban development.

Because of Catalonia’s Romanesque heritage, old stone buildings typically make us think of medieval times. But on closer inspection, we see that Rupit’s buildings have a distinctly baroque flavor. The village reached its zenith in the 17th century and traces of that splendor are more evident when you visit its small but richly adorned church of Sant Miquel.

Nowadays Rupit is a small village with a population of 281. Its main economic activity is tourism but this hasn’t altered its charm. Rather, it’s improved the infrastructure to host visitors. Rupit has a handful of rural houses and a couple of hostels for tourists in case you decide to stay in this lovely spot.

Getting There

From Barcelona: Take the C-17 to Vic link to the C-25 towards Girona. Exit at 183 towards Roda de Ter along the C-153. Cross the Roda de Ter direction Olot, you will pass through Entradas del Esquirol and Cantonigròs (without entering it) and arrive at Rupit.

Must-See Sights

Suspension Bridge: Built in 1945, this bridge provides direct access to the wall of houses that you see upon arriving at the village and has become a leading tourist attraction.

Santa Magdalena Hermitage: Built in the 17th century, this little chapel is located in isolation on top of a rocky hill opposite the village. To reach it one must descend the back of the village, cross a small medieval bridge and follow a path through the forest.

Basis Tombs: Just a short walk from Rupit along a densely wooded trail can be found two medieval tombs carved into the living rock. Located at the edge of a precipice, the tombs’ location offers breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below.

Sallent Waterfall: This 80-meter-high waterfall plunges into a forest-filled gorge. Getting there is a half-hour (sometimes muddy) jaunt.

Watermills: In its heyday, Rupit had up to 12 mills. Nowadays you can visit the Molí d’en Marandes, which used to make flour and was in operation until 1962.