Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer: Church, festivals and nature

Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer brings together church history, local festival traditions and distinctive natural sites. The church of Santa Eulàlia, local celebrations and river landscape are central to understanding the destination. Its attractions range from archaeological finds and historic buildings to waterfalls and cycling routes.

Church, history and cultural heritage

The church of Santa Eulàlia was first mentioned in 899. In 1041, Abbot Oliba consecrated a second Romanesque church. Items in the current exhibition space include the Romanesque stone roof, a model of the church and an original Catalan clock from the 18th century. The church also preserves a restored old wooden matraca. During Holy Week, it replaced the bells; only a few well-preserved examples of this type remain in Catalonia.

Excavations beneath the church in 1987 uncovered an anthropomorphic tomb and the remains of a building wall. This building predates the 11th-century Romanesque church. Castell de Torroella is also part of the town’s historical record: it has been documented since 1130.

Festivals and local traditions

The Festa Major d’Estiu takes place on the first weekend of September. Its history dates back to a celebration at the end of the 19th century; in the 1970s, it was reshaped into its current summer festival format. On tornaboda day, a communal rice meal and a sardana performance at La Font Gran are part of the festival tradition. As the exact programme may change, it is worth checking the dates and events before travelling.

The Festa del Segar i el Batre commemorates the agricultural work of the villagers’ parents and grandparents. It began in 1997. The programme for its 30th edition in 2026 included hand harvesting, threshing, building a haystack and a workshop on identifying different types of grain. Another local cycling tradition is the Pedala-Pedala cycling tour: it reached its 26th edition and has been organised under the auspices of the local council for more than 25 years.

Rivers, landscape and natural sites

At the entrance to the town stands El Roure Gros, a centuries-old oak. On 4 May 2009, it was designated a tree of local interest. Les Costes Males offers a different landscape: the area has dense scrubland and steep slopes, and its drainage flows into the Mèder. Its fossil-rich, carbonate-bearing marl formations give the area educational, tourism and scientific interest.

The Mèder, also known as the Riera de Santa Eulàlia, and the Riera de Muntanyola, also known as the Rieral, flow through Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer. Both are part of the Ter river basin. El Gorg de la Truja lies on the Mèder: along a stretch with several small waterfalls, the river drops almost 30 metres. The largest waterfall flows into a wider, deeper pool. A local legend tells that a burning sow with piglets appeared at this gorg through magic; the story is said to explain its name.

Two routes to El Gorg de la Truja are described: one starts at La Font Gran and follows the Mèder. Alternatively, take a turnoff near kilometre 8 of the BV-4316 towards Mas de la Codina, from where a path leads to the upper area of the gorg. The routes are not signposted, so it is helpful to familiarise yourself with the way beforehand when planning your visit. In Parc de Ventallola, an elevated viewpoint is located near the southern entrance.

Cycling routes and further travel planning

A non-motorised mountain biking loop with three routes runs between Muntanyola and Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer. Two routes pass through the two municipalities, while the third serves as a link between them. This means you can combine different interests when planning your trip: historic buildings, recurring festivals, river scenery and a designated cycling route. Which of these matters most for your stay depends on whether you are more interested in cultural traditions, nature or cycling.

Discover more destinations: La Floresta, El Papiol, Olost, Cubelles, Alella, Vilassar De Mar, Sant Llorenç d'Hortons, Vilobí Del Penedès

For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.