Anoia, a journey to the Miocene era

When you get to Anoia, head for Els Hostalets de Pierola. It might be your first time, but once you’re here reflect on the fact that it was filled with life long before us! The most important paleontological remains in Europe from the Miocene era — a period ranging from 23 million years to 5 million years ago! —were discovered here and finds include important remains of Miocene primates. This is why CRIP, the Centre for Paleontological Restoration and Interpretation is located in Els Hostalets. Its main mission is to promote the extraordinary paleontological wealth and importance of the Miocene era in the village, with an exhibition centre and educational activities for all ages. CRIP has also designed some interactive routes on the app P@leo_rutes. The ancient past and modernity come together in Els Hostalets de Pierola.

A good place for breakfast is Can Roviralta youth hostel, which is part of CRIP. Then head for Capellades!

The Museu Molí Paperer de Capellades is the focus of your next stop. It is one of the most comprehensive paper museums in Europe and is located in an 18th century mill. Capellades and its surroundings were, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, a major paper production centre, especially deckled and cigarette paper. The Paper Mill Museum holds a collection that features traditional paper-making tools and machinery, covers, wooden seal stamps, papers and documents that range from the 12th century to the present. In addition to the elegance of the building – white, four floors and lots of windows, some of which are to allow air to pass through and dry the paper –, outside you’ll find La Bassa, a pond fed by a natural spring supplying 12 million litres of water a day, once used to power the 16 paper mills working in the area at that time.

You can have lunch at one of the restaurants that serve ‘arròs paperer’, a rice and meat stew recipe recovered a few years ago and closely linked to the work of the paper mills in the area. We’ve chosen the restaurant Camí del Castell, in La Pobla de Claramunt, as this will be your last visit.

Anoia was a border area, and consequently a place where castles took on major strategic importance. Of those surviving today, you’ll head up to Claramunt Castle. There are references to it from the 10th century, and a thousand year later it was completely reformed, making this fortress an ideal spot to discover what those magnificent constructions were like. You’ll see the different rooms, the defence towers, the step walls, and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria. The castle overlooks the point where the Anoia River gorge opens out to the Òdena basin, offering some beautiful panoramic views, so the walk to the summit, half an hour from the centre of La Pobla de Claramunt, is well rewarded. You can find more information from the app ‘Anoia, terra de castells’ (Anoia, land of castles), and if you still have time we suggest you try one of the historical routes introduced this year.