Tona: Archaeology, Water Heritage and Catalan Culture

Tona brings together archaeological, medieval and thermal history with cultural activities. When considering the destination for your stay, you can distinguish between its highlights: Camp de les Lloses offers an archaeological perspective, water shapes a route and the town’s historic development as a spa destination, while the streets and a guided tour explore its medieval history. The following topics reveal different sides of Tona and help you find the focus that will guide your travel decision.

Archaeology at Camp de les Lloses

The archaeological settlement of Jaciment i Museu El Camp de les Lloses is considered one of the few archaeological examples of a settlement in Catalunya associated with the military sphere of the Roman Republic. The visitor and interpretation centre explains the way of life of its inhabitants and displays excavated finds as well as the municipality’s archaeological collection. This brings together the settlement’s historical context and the perspective of its inhabitants: its historical connection to the military sphere sits alongside what can be learned from the finds and collection.

Water and the historic development of spa culture

The Ruta de l'aigua is a route offered in Tona that connects archaeological, medieval and thermal heritage through the theme of water. It also includes tasting and smelling sulphurous spring water. Water here therefore represents more than spa history: the route brings together several historical layers and engages both smell and taste.

At the end of the 19th century, the discovery of sulphurous waters turned Tona into a summer resort with numerous mansions and several spa and bathing facilities. The Pou del Balneari de Roqueta is the only surviving evidence of the Balneari Roqueta, founded in 1896. Unlike the Ruta de l'aigua, which connects different aspects of heritage related to water, the Pou points to a single Balneari and the year it was founded. These two facts give the history of water culture different scales.

Medieval Tona and historic streets

Today’s Carrer Major, Carrer Barcelona and Carrer Nou developed along the historic Camí ral. As an important royal road in Osona, it connected Barcelona and Vic. The three street names are therefore linked by a shared historical context: an important route in the region.

The guided tour “Descobreix el naixement del poble medieval de Tona” focuses on the origins of the medieval settlement. Check the current schedule before your trip. Unlike the history of how the streets developed, this tour explicitly centres on the origins of the medieval settlement.

Cultural activities

The Museu del Pa offers visits by prior arrangement, so arrange a visit in advance. The Fira JocJoc originated in Tona and has a history spanning more than two decades. It highlights play as an educational, creative and intergenerational leisure activity. This gives it a different cultural focus from the historical topics: it centres on the different roles of play.

When choosing your destination, you can weigh up archaeological settlement and finds, the connection between water and different historical periods, medieval local history and cultural activities. This distinction can help you decide which aspect of Tona interests you before looking for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sant Vicenç Dels Horts, Les Masies De Voltregà, Cabrera De Mar, Teià, Ca l'Avi, Sant Pere De Ribes, Ripollet, Gelida

For the main travel overview: Barcelona.