The municipality of Pontons combines Romanesque religious buildings and traces of fortifications with a mountainous setting, natural springs, and water as a defining feature. A stay in Pontons offers more than a single historical focus: churches and chapels, older traditions, rocky landscapes, and hiking trails appeal to a range of interests.
Romanesque Churches and Their Distinctive Features
The chapel of Sant Joan de la Muntanya in the municipality of Pontons was consecrated in 1075 by Umbert de Cervelló, Bishop of Barcelona. It was built as the church of Castell Nou de Pontons. Its Romanesque nave has a single aisle and a semicircular apse; these architectural features give the chapel a clearly identifiable form. The church of Santa Magdalena offers a different historical perspective: it has been documented since 1138, has Romanesque origins, and preserves a Romanesque baptismal font. Santa Magdalena stands alone on a hill, one kilometre from the town centre. This location helps put a visit to the church in context, while Sant Joan de la Muntanya is distinguished above all by its architectural form and connection to Castell Nou.
Fortified Buildings and Historical Traces
Mas de Pontons is a fortified farmhouse dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. It is thought to have been built over the remains of the Old Castle of Pontons, which is documented for the years 996 to 999. The historical connections thus stretch from the castle, documented in the late Middle Ages, to a fortified farmhouse from considerably later centuries, while the presumed link between them remains intact.
The Tower of Cal Rei is another of the historical sites mentioned. It lies in a small wood; remains of a fortification on a plateau probably belonged to the Old Castle of Pontons, which is documented in the 10th century. At the hermitage of Sant Salvador, the rocky landscape takes centre stage instead of fortifications: the hermitage is built into the cliff face of the Sant Salvador rocks. Its earliest known mention dates to 1319. Unlike Santa Magdalena, which stands alone on a hill, the hermitage’s setting in the cliff face is a distinct feature of its location.
Mountain Landscapes, Hiking Trails, and Regional Orientation
The mountainous setting sets the municipality of Pontons apart from neighbouring towns. Natural springs are one of its distinctive features, and water is a defining element. The landscape therefore extends beyond individual buildings: mountains, springs, and rock formations complement the historic architecture. Hiking trails in the municipality also lead to the remains of Iberian kilns. Archaeological traces are therefore another possible focus of a hike.
For the ascent to Puig de les Agulles, a tourist route description published in June 2023 gives a municipal car park in the municipality as the starting point. It identifies the summit, at 841 metres, as the highest in the comarca. This specific elevation and regional superlative put the destination in context within the mountainous landscape.
A Local Product
Bread is one of the municipality of Pontons’s important local products. It adds a culinary dimension to the destination’s historical and landscape themes.
Discover more destinations: Els Monjos, La Batllòria, Caldes D'estrac, Sant Pau D'ordal, Sant Quirze De Besora, Campins, Sant Joan De Vilatorrada, Sentmenat.
For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.
