Discover Sant Mateu de Bages

Sant Mateu de Bages is characterized by a predominantly mountainous landscape of plateaus, foothills and small valleys. The Salo, Coaner and Fonollosa streams drain the area; the Serra de Castelltallat also runs through the municipality. Medieval churches, archaeological remains and a distinctive natural feature shape the impressions of the area. For your travel planning, the municipality offers a range of historical and scenic highlights, each of which can be explored individually.

Churches, Tombs and Early History

The Església de Sant Mateu is documented from 1078. The church contains a Gothic sarcophagus from the 14th century that belonged to the priest Guillem Despuig. The medieval Tombes Antropomòrfiques de Sant Mateu necropolis lies directly beside the church. It comprises four anthropomorphic tombs oriented from east to west. The church, sarcophagus and necropolis offer different insights into the religious and archaeological history of the place.

The Castell de Sant Mateu o de Les Planes is also documented from 983. A later architectural glimpse is offered by the Ermita de Sant Miquel de les Planes, a 13th-century chapel. Its partially preserved early Romanesque structure includes the rectangular apse section and the presbytery. The portal dates from the 15th century and has a round arch made of voussoirs. The Capella de Sant Martí de les Planes is located within the Les Planes estate. It is Romanesque and is dated to the late 12th or possibly the 13th century. It is listed as an archaeological site in the Catalan Cultural Heritage Catalogue.

Coaner and the Serra Landscape

The Conjunt Monumental de Coaner is a Lombard Romanesque ensemble consisting of the church of Sant Julià, the former castle tower and the Can Serra farmhouse. It is set in a rocky landscape within the protected natural area of the Serra de Castelltallat. The Serra runs through Sant Mateu de Bages and is included in the Pla d'Espais d'Interès Natural and the Natura 2000 network. At Coaner, architectural history and protected landscape come together as immediate features of the local scenery.

The municipality describes its landscape as predominantly mountainous, with plateaus, foothills and small valleys shaping the terrain. The Salo, Coaner and Fonollosa streams drain these areas. The Observatori Astronòmic de Castelltallat offers a different perspective on the surroundings: it is located at an altitude of 910 metres, and the absence of light pollution allows high-quality observations of the sky. For travellers interested in the landscape and astronomy as well as architectural and local history, this adds another dimension to what the municipality has to offer.

Archaeological Traces and Geological Themes

The Dolmen de Castelltallat consists of the remains of a small megalith with a simple chamber at a prominent point on the Serra de Torribalta. Based on comparisons, it is dated from the late Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age, approximately 2500 to 1200 BC. This time span is an archaeological classification, not a single precise date. Check the local conditions and access before visiting.

The De Súria a Coaner route focuses on the rocks and geological processes that have shaped the history of Súria and Coaner. Among other places, it leads to Coaner's medieval monumental ensemble. It offers a way to shift your focus from the buildings to the geological history of the area. Check the latest route conditions before setting out.

Getting There and Events

The BV-3003 provincial road runs through Sant Mateu and connects the C-55 at Callús with the BV-3008 at the municipal boundary with Aguilar and Fonollosa. Check road conditions before travelling. Recurring celebrations may also be worth bearing in mind when planning your trip: Caramelles are sung and danced throughout the municipality on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The Festa Major de Sant Mateu de Bages is scheduled for the third Sunday in September. Check the local calendar or the programme for the relevant year before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ca l'Avi, Badalona, Montmeló, Castellgalí, Mollet Del Vallès, Sant Pau D'ordal, Olèrdola, Vacarisses

For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.