Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Ripoll
Ripoll is the capital of the El Ripollès region in Girona and stands at the confluence of the rivers Ter and Freser. Although there is evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age, its modern origins can be traced to the 9th century, when Count Guifré el Pelós, founder of the Benedictine monastery of Santa María, spearheaded its development.
During the 5th and 15th centuries, the local economy grew in tandem with sectors such as timber, iron and textiles, thanks to the construction of a canal on the River Freser. The economic boom took place between the 16th and 18th centuries, driven by the manufacture of firearms. Having weathered the crisis of the 19th century, marked by the Confiscation of Church Property and the Carlist Wars, Ripoll once again experienced significant growth linked to the textile and metallurgical industries.
The remains of the city walls and buildings like the Bonada, Codina and Alòs houses, bear witness to this rich historical past. Although, without a doubt, its greatest treasure is the Monastery of Santa María. This complex is notable for its basilica, its two-storey cloister comprising four galleries, and an impressive portal featuring Romanesque iconography in the form of a triumphal arch.
Other points of interest include the Ethnographic Museum, the scriporium– an exhibition on the production of manuscripts at Santa Maria de Ripoll – and the Palau smithy, a blacksmith’s workshop that was in operation from the 17th century until 1978.
The local cuisine is based on produce such as mushrooms, meats such as the famous Ripollés lamb and veal, and dairy products. Must-try dishes include escudella (a local soup), escalivada (roast vegetable salad) and empedrado (bean salad), as well as local pastries like caricies and moixaines.
Several festivals are held in the town, many linked to its historical past, such as the Festa de la Llana i Casament a Pagès in May which encompasses a re-enactment a wedding and the shearing of the lambs. The Fair is also a key event in the calendar. Other highlights on the calendar include the 40-Hour Fair in March, the Sant Eudald Town Festival in May and the Comte Guifré Market in August.