Cardona
Built on a hill dominating the central basin of El Cardener, from the 11th to the 15th century Cardona Castle was the residential centre of the lords of Cardona. The castle's geographical position corresponded to the ancient need to be able to have absolute control over the territory.
The site is divided between the seigneurial pavilions and the canonical site of Sant Vicenç. Landmarks include the Minyona Tower, from where there is an excellent view of Cardona, the Duke's Courtyard, the defence bastions and its views over the Salina Valley, a physical and natural setting where surface outcrops of salt can be found.
Cardona Castle is an excellent compendium of military fortifications showing the development of the arts of war from the Middle Ages to modern times.
The Canonical Church of Sant Vicenç, a building entirely from the 11th century, is a magnificent example of the Romanesque style, showing a basilica floor plan with three naves finished off by a transept with three semi-circular apses attached. The central nave is presided over by a wide presbytery and the nave itself is covered by a round barrel vault. Under the presbytery is a crypt occupying the entire space of the presbytery and central apse. There are also various important tombs and pantheons, such as that of Duke Ferran and Count Joan Ramon Folc I.
The Cardona Historical Foundation organises the guided tour service to the Cardona Castle monument site, where there is now a Parador de Turisme by agreement with the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the organisation that manages the monument.
The historic centre
The site made up of the castle and collegiate church of Sant Vicenç is Cardona's main attraction, but not the only one. The historic centre, declared to be a Historical Site of Cultural Interest, has outstanding sights not to be missed if you visit Cardona. In the urban area of the town, corresponding to the old walled medieval town, is the church of Sant Miquel. Unlike Sant Vicenç, this was the parish church of the merchants. It consists of a Gothic nave and two lateral ones. Inside the church, the outstanding features are the two lateral altarpieces. There is also the octagonal crypt where the relics of the Sainted Martyrs Saint Celdoni and Saint Ermenter are kept. Walking through the historic centre, you will also find the Plaça de la Fira and the Plaça del Mercat, two nerve centres of the town which are the setting for many activities held there throughout the year. As well as the weekly market held on Sundays, the medieval fair held in June, the town's main annual festival in September and, the following month, the fair dedicated to waxycap wild mushrooms, should be highlighted.
Without leaving the Plaça de la Fira, under the vaults of Aimines, you will find the Cardona Medieval Centre. It is a permanent exhibition with a wide range of graphic and audiovisual materials explaining the origin and development of the town through to the construction of the walls. From here, visitors are offered various activities, such as a guided tour of the most representative spaces and buildings of the historic centre.
Salt Mountain Cultural Park
Visiting the Salt Mountain Cultural Park offers you the opportunity to discover the salt outcrops of Cardona and the distinctive natural and cultural heritage making this place unique in the world. The Park is made up of the facilities of the old Nieves mine, one of the biggest potassium salt operations in Europe until 1990. There you can see the salt mountain and enjoy a museum area, as well as the mine shafts and machinery of one of them. Visitors are taken to the Salt Valley in special vehicles and, once they are there, they can admire the incredible salty outcrop that is the Salt Mountain. Properly equipped with a miner's helmet, they can also enjoy a walk inside the mountain, covering 500 metres of galleries with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, as well as several veins of salts.
For information:
Cardona Tourist Office
Av. del Rastrillo, s/n
Phone & fax: +34 93 869 27 98
www.cardona.cat
