Caldes de Montbui Town Hall
The town of Caldes de Montbui It is located just thirty-five kilometers from Barcelona, in the heart of the region of the Valles Oriental, whose most important city is Granollers. It has about seventeen thousand inhabitants, who are distributed between the original nucleus of the population and different urbanizations.
Caldes de Montbui is known mainly for the hot springs that come from the bowels of its soil (hence the name "caldas" or hot). Precisely this spa activity, which the Romans already took advantage of, is the main reason for the development of the population. But the small Catalan town, one of the most beautiful near Barcelona, has much more to offer you. Let's show it to you.
What to see in Caldes de Montbui
This town offers you several outstanding monuments, archaeological sites and beautiful natural landscapes, as well as good gastronomy and fun. As for the first, you should not miss the following.
Church of Santa María de Caldes de Montbui
It is located in the urban area of the town, exactly where the Puerta de Barcelona and the Royal Palace stood. In fact, some of the latter's walls were used to build the temple in the XNUMXth century. However, its cover is a century later and it is considered one of the most successful examples of the Catalan baroque.
The interior of the church houses twelve chapels. But he stands out above all The holy majesty, an imposing wooden Romanesque sculpture that shows Byzantine influence. Unfortunately, it is damaged by a fire.
Church of Santa María de Caldes
The Lion Fountain
Built in 1581, it has undergone several restorations and is the symbol of Caldes. It is so named because the jet of water comes out of the mouth of a figure that represents this animal. Interestingly, it has never stopped flowing.
Returning to the warmth of the local waters, the liquid that comes out of this source is at seventy-two degrees Celsius. According to a study carried out in the twenties of the last century, this water is rich in sodium, bromine, lithium and iodine. Therefore it has important medicinal properties.
The Roman Baths
You will find them in the same square where the fountain is located and they hold the category of Cultural Asset of National Interest. They must have been very spacious but, currently, only one pool and the arcades that surround it remain. There are also two niches and an adjoining bench.
But what will attract your attention the most are the votive inscriptions made by important figures of the Roman Tarraco, which gives an idea of the importance that these baths must have had in their time. Just at the access to Caldes there is also a bridge from the same period.
The roman bridge
Testimony of the past of Caldes de Motbui is this bridge that has been restored. If you visit it, you can also take the opportunity to take a walk through the laugh that runs under it. It is a space with an important ecological value that will offer you beautiful landscapes.
The Font dels Enamorats
However, if you want to walk and see landscapes, visit this neighborhood of the Catalan town. It is located at the exit of it and has stately homes. But the most important thing is the forest that surrounds it, a natural wonder from whose heights, on clear days, you can see the city of Barcelona, Tibidabo and even the Mediterranean Sea.
The Manolo Hugué museum
You should also visit the museum of this sculptor, one of the best friends of Picasso. This friendship allowed the facilities to house, together with the works of Hugué, an important set of paintings by the genius from Malaga.
Roman terms
The weather in Caldes de Montbui
The climate in the Catalan town is of type Mediterranean type,, although nuanced because it is an area of the interior. Thus, you will find long, cloudy and cool winters, while summers are short, clear, hot and dry.
However, the weather is quite pleasant, as maximum temperatures rarely exceed thirty degrees. As for the minimums, they do not usually go below two. According to all this, the best times to visit Caldes are spring and summer.
What to eat in Caldes de Montbui
The gastronomy of Caldes has many similarities with that of the entire province of Barcelona. However, the small town has some local products and own dishes.
As for the former, the cherries, grown in their own gardens and in which you will notice a special flavor. We can tell you the same about soup pasta, which has been made in Caldes since the XNUMXth century, from the miel and sausages, especially longanizas and sausages.
As for the dishes, you will like to try, above all, two desserts. On the one hand, carquinyolis They are dry pastries that are made with almonds and that are delicious. And, on the other, the killed, a fresh artisan cheese that is prepared with goat's or sheep's milk and served with honey on top.
More curious is The Calderina, a craft beer that is unique in Catalonia, since thermal waters are used to make it. And, to finish your meal, try a glass of taronja anise ("Orange" in Catalan).
Lion Fountain
Caldes festivals and traditions
If you plan to visit the Barcelona town, you will also be interested to know that its festivals They are the second week of October. Just the following Sunday it takes place the Capvuinada, with artisan stalls and a parade of floats and vintage cars.
They are also relevant holidays that of San Antonio Abad, which is celebrated the weekend following the day of this saint; the pilgrimage of San Sebastián, May first; the gastronomic days of cherries, also in May; the Corpus Christi festival, called Caldes in Flower, as well as the Scaldium o Fire and Water Festival, which takes place on the second Saturday in July.
In conclusion, Caldes de Montbui it has a lot of things to offer you. If you do not know it, you will probably be surprised to visit this small town. Because you will find monuments, archaeological remains, very beautiful landscapes, excellent gastronomy and a welcoming population.