Sant Feliu del Raco
Weather in Catalunya
Natural Environment
Outstanding Places
Traditions
Important Historical Points
Fiestas and Fairs
Cultural Events
Exhibitions
 SANT FELIU DEL RACO:
Population: 900
WEATHER IN CATALUNYA:
The following are typical weather conditions for Barcelona. As we are located in the mountains and not by the sea, temperatures tend to be a few degrees cooler (without the mugginess) in the summer, and a few degrees cooler (with occasional snowfall) in the winter.
NATURAL ENVIROMENT:
83% of Castellar del Valles and Sant Feliu del Raco is protected environment and forms part of a National Park. The village has a varied natural environment which provides stunning scenery for hikers and nature lovers.
The area is bordered to the North by the Litoral Mountain Range where starts the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç de Munt (this Natural Park offers visitors excellent opportunities for hiking, mountaineering and other outdoor sports – please see ‘Activities’ page for more information). To the Southeast is a series of flat fields that becomes more mountainous as you head west towards the torrents of the Ripoll River.
As you move further away from Barcelona towards the North where Sant Feliu del Raco is, the industrial and residential sprawl begins to thin out. The amazingly beautiful Parc Natural Sant Llorenç de Munt is on the border of Vallès Occidental and Bages. Some of the villages surrounding the park are Catalonian treasures with narrow, cobbled streets and ancient arched arcades (like Sant Feliu del Raco!)
OUTSTANDING PLACES:
Muntanya de La mola (La Mola Mountain)
1104 meters above sea level and belongs to the massif called Sant Llorenç de Munt. On the top of this mountain there is Romanic style Monastery (siecle XI). Nowadays there is an information center of the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç de Munt and a restaurant. It is an enjoyable 2 hour (varying degrees of fitness levels) walk from the bottom to the top where you can enjoy fabulous typical Catalonian food at the restaurant surrounded by fabulous views before heading back down the mountain with your guide. After this pleasant walk, the Benedictine Monastery may be visited. From there, splendid panoramic views of the plain and Montserrat and Montseny mountains can be taken in. Casa Jet Set highly recommends this outing!
Barcelona
Well, we think the cultural hub of Barcelona speaks for itself. There’s a million things to do in Barcelona and a day trip is definitely recommended! Spend the day discovering Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, the Picasso and Dali museums, the Olympic Park, Ramblas, the Cathedral…the list goes on and on and on. Whatever it is you’re doing, Barcelona loves to indulge in the fantastic. From the urban carnival that is Las Ramblas to buildings with no straight lines, the city pushes the limits of style in everything it does, and gets away with it!
World Class Wines and Cavas - Tours and Tastings
Catalonia is home to several innovative and exclusive Catalan (Spanish) wines and champagnes (or cava, as it's known locally). Casa Jet Set can arrange private wine tours and tasting in local cellars.
Thermal Springs and Hot Spas at Caldes de Montbui
A cultural and heritage site of National Interest and only 10km east of Sant Feliu del Raco. The Roman Spas in Caldes de Montbui are one of the most extensive remaining sites in Europe and well worth a visit (and an indulgence!).
Montserrat
Montserrat is a breathtaking 9th-century Benedictine monastery in a mountain setting 50 km east of Sant Feliu del Raco. A highlight of your visit to Montserrat monastery will be to listen to the famous Basilica choir boy performances of Gregorian chants and other genres of religious choral music. The performances can be heard free of charge in the Basilica at 13:00 daily with the exception of Christmas holidays, July and some other festive periods during the year. The monastery on its mountain perch is reached by cable car.
The Salvador Dali Museum
The Dali museum can be found in the town of Figueres about 120km north of Sant Feliu del Raco. The museum is a must-see as the museum was designed by none other than Dali himself and echoes his bizarre personality—look for the photo of the artist going to a bullfight with a loaf of bread for a hat.
If you enjoy walking there are also some interesting walks through the mountains near Sant Feliu del Raco where you will experience magnificent views of some of the most unusual rock formations in the whole of Catalonia. You can choose a number of different walks, all with amazing views of the Catalonian countryside as well as visit some of the local landmarks:
La Castellasa Rock
In Sant Llorenç de Munt this rock looks like a sculpture; however it is actually part of the cartography and is nowadays part of the cultural heritage. It is a monolith that is the keynote of the landscape. It is always very crowded by climbers. Every year in the middle of December is visited by the group of hikers from Castellar that set up a ‘crib’ (Christmas manger type sculpture in this rock from 1965.
Puig de la Creu (Summit of the Cross Mountain)
Is the highest point of Castellar (671 meters) providing a perfect view point to see Castellar. At the top there is also lovely restored church (church of Sant Maria) of the XII century
Vallès Natural (Vallès Natural Paths)
A series of paths totaling 260 Km that link the 23 towns of the area called Vallès. The paths are marked with signs detailing castles, hermitages forests, craftwork and restaurants of the area, for an enjoyable and informative walk/bike along them.
Torrent de Colobrers (Colobrers Torrent)
Tributary of the Ripoll River that is used as a natural border between the natural area and the city area. Along the river side there is a nice walk with typical river vegetation including bot poplars, banana plantations, fountains, etc.
Masies (Old Country houses)
Masies are spread throughout the area and it is a pleasant trip to go and visit them. Nowadays in Castellar there are more that 40 "masies" - many of them are still inhabited. The oldest owner Mas Canyelles is of the X century. Some of them still have the hermitages next to them.
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TRADITIONS:
Spain and Catalonia are abundant with local traditions that can be seen and heard in the village as well as at local festivals:
Sardanes (traditional dance)
There is a group called ‘Association of Friends of the Sardana’ (ASAC) that meets time to time throughout the year to keep the Sardanes tradition alive by performing concerts and dances. In Castellar there are two important dates for this meeting: the first Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November.
Ball de Gitanes (Dance of gypsies)
Also called the ‘dance of the square’. It has been a traditional dance in Castellar since the middle of the XIX century. The tradition originally belonged to Carnival and is typical of the area - although it is currently being copied by many other villages. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ceremonial dance last year, 1000 participants danced the ‘gitanes’ setting a Guinness record in the traditional dance category.
Ball de Bastons (Dance with sticks)
One of the most popular dances of the area and another typical Catalonian dance, originating in 1924 . There is a group of people since that meets to practice the dance and partake in all the main festivals., although everybody participates in the street. Typical costume is white attire with red belts, bells at the legs, and a stick in each hand.
Corales (Chorals)
In Castellar there are the Coral of Sant Esteve, the Choral of Xiribec and Choral of Sant Josep. All stage a series of concerts throughout the year. The most important apart from the Xmas is the "Musicoral" that takes place in May. Others choirs from all over Spain and the world participate.
Gegants (Gigants)
The Sun, the Moon and the Star are the typical gegants from Castellar (every town has their own gegants) of Castellar and they cover the streets for the Main Fiesta celebrations together with bands of music and noise.
Diables (Devil’s)
The evil spirit of Castellar is called ‘Brívia’ and is the most important element of the group of devils. Brivia and the other devils play with fire and chase after the "sinners" (the local citizens). The ‘sinners’ run screaming into the narrow streets to try and escape. Is celebrated as ‘Correfoc’ (Running the fire) during the Fiesta Major.
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL POINTS
El Castell (The Castle):
ClasquerÌ Family Castle is located in the Southwest of the village center by the Ripoll River. It has two floors and a central yard. The first history information available regarding the castle is dates back to the year 912. Next to the castle is the Chapel of Santa Barbara. The style of this chapel is gothic and has one nave.
How to get there:
From the center of Castellar del Valles, take the C-1415 towards Terrassa and after 1 km approx. you will see on your left a sign pointing the direction of the castle.
Església de Sant Esteve (Church of Castellar Vell):
Ancient church of Sant Esteve de Castellar of Romanic and gothic style. It was built between the XI and XVI centuries. There are several interesting graves here from necropolis of the Medieval times.
How to get there:
From the centre of Castellar del Valles, take the C-1415 towards Terrassa you will see a path on the left that goes to Sant Antoni Fountain (Fuente de Sant Antoni).
Església de Sant Feliu del Racó (Church of Sant Feliu del Raco):
The ancient church of Sant Feliu del Raco dates back to 986 but it is thought that the history reaches even further back. Originally it was a Romanic style church, but in the XVIII century it was demolished and the current building is a modern construction. The inside of the church is decorated by local distinguished painters (Fidel Trias and Alfons Gubern CampreciÛs).
How to get there:
From Castellar del Valles travel on the B-124 towards Sant Llorenc. There is a signpost on the left indicating Sant Feliu del Raco.
Pont Vell (Ancient Bridge):
Is located over the Ripoll Bridge on the way out of Castellar del Valles towards Terrassa. It was built in the 1808 and due to damage from torrential floods it was restored in the 2002.
How to get there:
Take the C-1415 towards Terrassa
Plaça Major (Main Square):
This is the main square of Castellar del Valles village. Since it was built has become the point of reference of the habitants of Castellar del Valles. It is in this square that the main fruit/veg market is located . The monumental fountain made of stone was built by an infamous local artist named Joan Sampere. At the end of May 2005, the city of Castellar del Valles started excavations works of roman ruins that were found
near the main square. This discovery will be very important in finding out further the history of Castellar.
Parc de Colobrers (Colobrers Park):
A stunning nature reserve that borders the village at the South East side. It has a surface of 80,000 square meters and here you can enjoy bike riding, walking, or simply enjoying the view. In this park you can see the monumental tree of the village: a bot holm oak (a typical tree of the Mediterranean area).
FIESTAS AND FAIRS
The Spanish love their fiestas and will take any and every opportunity to party! Below is a list of local festivities that you may wish to plan your vacation around:
Festa de Sant Josep (Sant Josep Fiesta)
19th of March
On this date the fiesta of Castellar is celebrated. Throughout the day a market of local handmade products is on offer in the Major Square. In the afternoon there is a show of Sardanas (local dance) and coca (a local cake) and Catalan cream (a local desert) is shared for all.
Mostra Gastronòmica (Gastronomic sampling)
April-May
This event is carried out every other year for a duration of 3 days so as to allow visitors and local residents the opportunity to sample the delicacies of the local restaurants and bakery’s.
Firart
April-May
This is a fair that originated in the 1980’s with the target of encouraging local artists to display their exhibitions.
Mostra d´officis Artesans (Demonstration of handmade offices)
April:
This is a fair that originated in 1983 and takes place every two years in Castellar del Valles. The city encourages the recovery of lost trades/jobs and ones about to be lost. It is a very important event to the locals and very popular in Catalunya.
Caminada Popular (Popular walk)
2nd Sunday of May:
This is an open walk of Castellar. The itinerary is different every year. The purpose of the walk is to show the people the natural hidden corners of Castellar. The length of the walk is 14 km.
Aplec de Castellar del Vallés (Castellar Vell meeting)
3rd Sunday of May:
Day celebrated since 1979 around the antic church of Sant Esteve de Castellar. The main attraction is the paella competition (they cook paellas which is typical dish of fish/rice from Spain). Many other activities occur throughout the day including a flower competition, sardanas (typical Catalonian dance here), dance with sticks (another typical Catalan Dance). Both are very old dances that began in ancient civilizations. They have been danced by the country people of Catalonia since the beginning of the 19th century.
Sardanas
On Sunday mornings in the square in front of the Cathedral in Barcelona, you can see a group of people dancing sardanas. This group is mainly comprised of the elderly. Throughout the dance, musicians play traditional instruments on ten chairs set up on a platform. It is a popular and important tradition that everyone partakes in the sardanas - anyone who wants to dance must be allowed to enter the group. It doesn't matter if one can't dance very well as its main focus is to create a unity circle.
 Fiesta Major (Main Fiesta)
2nd weekend of September
This is the biggest party of the town. It lasts from Friday to Monday and it coincides with the second Sunday of September. Four days with activities for everybody where you will witness
“correfoc” (fire running) headed by a dragon call Brivia. The party succumbs with fireworks.
During the celebration you can enjoy many
concerts in the main square including the concert of Habaneras “Cantada d’ Havaneres”. The Habaneras are songs that originated in Cuba in 1870's but the roots are of this tradition are Spanish, brought to the island as a result of the Spanish influence in the XIV century. The Habanera was preserved in popular venues such as choirs, taverns and work environments related to fishermen, or by roving musicians until the sixties in Catalonia. The songs are of varied styles, lyrics and rhythm and were learnt using only ears and the lyrics using only memory. This is the reason why there are so many versions.
Apart from this classic celebration, you can enjoy electronic music nights, theatre plays, magic performances, juggling in the streets, cinema, etc. These kind of acts are enjoyable for adults as well as children. There are also sports competitions along the “festa major” like football, figure skating, tennis, paddle, golf, etc.
Another classic event that takes place during this festival is the Custom motorbike meeting and American cars meeting.
Carnival
February
Floats, groups and fancy dress party on Saturday afternoon in the streets of Castellar, followed by a popular Spanish omelette dinner.
Els Tres Tombs
February-April
Fiesta organized by the Friends of Sant Antoni Abad and includes a parade and evening dance.
Saint George day
23rd of April
A beautiful day with cultural soul. Street vendors sell books and roses. There are performances, theatre, storytellers, dance and music in the street. It is celebrated in all of Catalunya.
Saint Quiteria
23rd of May (the celebrations are the nearest Sunday to this day):
Patron Saint of Sant Feliu del Raco together with Sant Felix is a reason to have an all-weekend party where the traditional ceremony of blessed breads are shared.
Revetlla de Sant Joan
Night Festival of Saint Joan
23rd of June
The Town Hall organizes a dress up dance and fireworks. The nearby Village Can Carner celebrates its own fiesta. It is a big fiesta celebrated in all Catalunya and there are fires all around on the beaches on the coast. The city of Barcelona celebrates it with fireworks and fires on he beach. It is fiesta comparable to New Years Eve.
Festa de Sant Feliu del Racó
Fiesta of Sant Feliu del Raco
4th weekend of August
During the last weekend of August Sant Feliu del Raco becomes a scenario for many events organized by the Town Hall and local residents. One of the main attractions of this fiesta is the ‘Correfoc’ (literal translation: "Running the Fire") which is a traditional Catalan celebration. Correfoc is in great demand for the fiestas in all the towns and villages. Every year devils come for summer in Catalunya. A group of devils play with fire and fireworks running after the "sinners" (the people)
The sinners run screaming into the narrow streets to escape, only to be chased by the Devils with flaming torches.
National day of Catalunya
11th of September
As the name says it is the day of Catalunya and is celebrated in the entire region. Catalonians are fiercely protective of their region and extremely patriotic – preferring to be known as their own ‘country’ rather than part of Spain. Although the fiesta has a political meaning, there are few political events throughout the day. Rather, there are plenty of traditional shows as sardanas, castellers (towers of people), music, etc. This of all the festivals has the most important meaning for the Catalunians. In 1980 the Parliament of Catalonia declared September 11th as the Catalan national day under the following terms:
“(...) In times of struggle, the Catalan people used to mark a special day, the eleventh of September, as the National Holiday of Catalonia. A special day which, while representing the painful memory of the loss of liberties, on the eleventh of September 1714, and an attitude of struggle and active resistance to oppression, also embodied the hope of total recovery of its nationhood…. Now that Catalonia is back on its path to freedom, the representatives of the People think that the Legislative House should sanction what the Nation has already unanimously decided. Therefore the People of Catalonia, by the powers vested in its Parliament, establishes the following law:
Article One: The eleventh of September is declared the National Holiday of Catalonia. “
La Castanyada
31st of October
This is a special night in which the autumn is celebrated. There is a dance accompanied by chestnuts, both sweet potatoes and panallets (typical Catalan sweet).
Christmas
Is celebrated in Castellar in part with a game of “Caga Tio” In Catalunya a traditional fact on Xmas day is that presents are brought underneath a log and the kids have to hit it with sticks to get the presents that are inside shouting “Caga Tio” (Like a Mexican Pineata!)
Flea market
2nd Sunday of every month
The Main Square is full of vendors selling all kinds of ancient and old-fashioned things and furniture.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Castellar del Valles and Sant Feliu del Raco are hubs of cultural activities. Theatre, dance and music series feature frequently in the Miquel Pont Auditorium. This Hall offers visitors two seasons (autumn and winter) with performances of dance, music and theatre with some of the best performing artists in Catalunya.
Theatre course in the Ateneu Hall.
As well two seasons (autumn and winter-spring) of more independent and alternative theatre with less popular companies of theatre for a more specific public.
Late time for tales
This event that takes place in the Bar L’ Harmonic the 3rd Friday of every month in an effort to try and bring old and young generations closer. Many different kinds of tales are read.
La Mandragora
Series of acoustic concerts that take place in the first Friday of every month in the Butxaca room of the Ateneu Hall.
Concerts course at Tolra
Every weekend of the month of July you can enjoy good music in the gardens of Palau Tolrá (jazz, sardanas, drums...)
Series of concerts in the Chapel of Montserrat
Every Friday in May, this chapel becomes the backdrop for different kind of music concerts from various areas of the world.
EXHIBITIONS:
Exposició de Pessebres (nativity exhibition)
December and January
A group of locals prepare this exhibition from the 6th of December (The Virgin day) until the 2nd of February. The event takes place in the Nativity Club of Castellar where there is a permanent exhibition in the museum of the club (Address: Doctor Pujol Street, 26).
Archiu d´Historia de Castellar (Castellar Historics archives)
With other historic documents you can see different kinds of tools and objects donated by families from the town. Time to time some conferences are organized in this place related to the History of Castellar (Address: Mina Street, 9-11. Free entrance).
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