Discover Sentmenat: Castle, Museum and Walking Routes

Sentmenat offers several starting points for a trip: the building history of Castell de Sentmenat, a museum devoted to the town’s agricultural and textile past, and routes focused on architecture or landscape. When planning, you can choose between local history, modernist buildings and paths with natural features.

Castle and Landscape

Castell de Sentmenat stands on a rocky spur in the Sierra and offers sweeping views over the Vallès plain, the valley towards Castellar and the mountains to the north. Construction of the castle began around 1030. Archaeological investigations in 2009 uncovered Roman, Visigothic and Arab remains, including an Arab barrel vault. The finds therefore point to several historical periods.

Preservation work is also part of the more recent history of the Castell: safety works and the restoration of all the façades began in 2008. A use plan for the final restoration of the remaining parts of the building was envisaged. These details distinguish the work begun on the façades from the planned work on the rest of the building.

Museum and Local History

The Museu-Arxiu de Sentmenat is a mainly ethnographic and anthropological museum in the province of Barcelona. Agricultural tools, particularly those used in winegrowing, as well as objects and documents, convey the town’s agricultural and textile past. A significant digitised photographic archive shows Sentmenat at the beginning of the 20th century and how the town developed. The town’s history is thus presented through both tools and documents and historical photographs.

The church of Sant Menna was first built in the 10th to 11th centuries and is associated with the continuation of a late Romanesque settlement; however, the historical reconstruction remains uncertain. Església Vella de Sant Menna is listed as a Bé Cultural d’Interès Local (BCIL), a local cultural heritage site. Part of an apse dated to the 9th to 10th centuries was identified in the area of the bell tower and beneath the present-day rectory. Further underground structures are thought to be located there. Castellet de Guanta is a defensive structure on Turó del Corb.

Routes Between Architecture and Landscape

The Ruta Modernista de Sentmenat is an urban route with no particular difficulty. It passes the main buildings from the period and highlights their most notable features. Its focus is therefore on architecture in the town. The Ruta al Puig de la Creu follows a different course: it starts at the car park on Passeig de Josep Duran, opposite Can Sorts school, and leaves Sentmenat via Can Palau in a northwesterly direction. Its landscape features include views from Puig de la Creu, numerous springs and Salt de Montllor.

Another walking route is the “Ruta de Torre Roja i el Pessebre”. Racó del Pessebre and Torre Roja are among the itinerary’s special highlights. Route conditions may change; check for current information before setting out. On the Ruta-Joc del Castell de Sentmenat, an app leads to hidden QR codes. App details may change, so check the latest information in advance.

Spring, Waterfall and Local Culture

The circular route to Fuente de Bou and Cascada de Guanta starts at Plaza de la Vila and initially climbs Passeig de Anselm Clavé. The two destinations differ in their features: Cascada de Guanta is a waterfall of considerable height that you can only experience during rainy periods. Fuente de Bou is a natural spring with a small play and picnic area. Local access conditions for the circular route may change; check for current information before setting out.

Sentmenat’s local theatre is organised within Societa Coral Obrera la Glòria Sentmenatenca, where several groups are active. The current programme may change, so it is advisable to check specific performance dates in advance.

A notice dated 20 May 2025 names two tourist information points in Sentmenat recognised by the Consell Comarcal del Vallès Occidental and the Diputació de Barcelona: one at the OAC and one at the library. Check the locations locally before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pallejá, Lliçà D'amunt, Esparreguera, Vallromanes, Canovelles, Mataró, Bellavista, Fals

For the main travel overview: Barcelona.