Rupit, the charm of a medieval village
In the heart of the Collsacabra natural area, surrounded by lush forests and a stream, you will find Rupit; one of the most charming villages in all of Catalonia.
Rupit is one of the two villages that make up the municipality of Rupit i Pruit, located in the north of the Osona region, and its appeal lies in its location at an altitude of 845 meters. Today, its cobbled streets, the suspension bridge, and the rural atmosphere invite you to discover a unique, historic village that is a must-visit.
What to see in Rupit
The first step is to park your car in the external parking lot and enter the village on foot, as driving within the village is not allowed. Additionally, if you like to start informed or want to get a map of the area, you will find a tourist information booth right at the entrance.
To start your visit, you will need to cross the famous Suspension Bridge, which spans the Rupit stream. A true symbol of the village.
From here, you can wander through its streets, admire the stone façades of the houses, and discover the dates when they were built. Some are over four hundred years old!
One of the first buildings you will see is the Church of Sant Miquel, a baroque-style church that offers the chance to climb the bell tower and enjoy the best views of the village.
Right next to it, you’ll discover the Main Square, a picturesque spot full of balconies adorned with flowers and rustic shops. The perfect place to relax with a snack.
Next, one of the most iconic places in Rupit is Fossar Street. A steep stone street with steps, it is also the most rustic and ancient part of the entire municipality.
Following the street upwards, at the top, you’ll find the remains of the castle, built around the year 1000 on a rocky outcrop.
In this area, you will also find the Knight’s Square, the former meeting point for the distinguished people of the era. Other buildings of interest include the apothecary’s house, the Soler notary’s office, and the old blacksmith’s shop, historic artisan homes that have played an important role in the village’s history.
One of the oldest constructions in Rupit are the mills along the stream. The first appeared in the 10th century, with others being built over the centuries, reaching a total of twelve. However, after the flood of 1940, very few survived. One of them was the Marandes Mill (17th century), which remained active until 1962.
After passing the church, you’ll see a narrow street that leads down to the river path, which will take you up to the Hermitage of Santa Magdalena. This hermitage, built in the 17th century in the baroque style and restored in 1973, stands out for its stone altar and its picturesque bell gable.
On the same path, but in the opposite direction, you will find the Bauma Molera, natural caves formed by the erosion of the Collsacabra massif, with some fascinating rock formations worth seeing.
If you don’t want to miss any detail of this municipality, the Tourist Office offers guided tours of the historic center, which last about an hour, and require a prior reservation.
What to do in Rupit
Since the village is part of the Protected Natural Area of Collsacabra, you’ll find a wide variety of activities to do while exploring its hidden corners.
One of the places hidden within this natural park is the Enchanted Rock Forest, an ideal spot to enjoy nature and take leisurely walks. You can start the route from the parking lot of the Coll de Condreu restaurant. In front of it, there’s a small path that leads up to the enchanted rocks. It’s not very long and is easy enough for the whole family.
If you’re a fan of mountain biking, Rupit offers two marked circuits, with a total of 17 different routes, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Collsacabra and the Sau Valley, passing by the Sau Reservoir and charming villages like Tavertet.
On the other hand, if you’re passionate about hiking, you’ll find a variety of trails to explore. The most well-known and recommended ones are the Rupit Springs Trail (5 km), the Sallent Waterfall Trail (3 km), and the Santa Magdalena and Soler viewpoint Trail (3 km).
Additionally, if you want to discover Rupit in a different way, you can take part in the “Discover Rupit” activity. Through a leaflet, which you can print or pick up at the Tourist Office, you can enjoy a self-guided tour to learn about various curiosities of the village. This leaflet is available in Catalan, Spanish, English, and French.
Download leaflet
Gastronomy
One thing you cannot miss is the wide variety of homemade and mountain cuisine. Around the village, you’ll find several local restaurants and artisanal shops where you can enjoy the best cured meats and local pastries, such as sausages and the traditional “grandmother’s cake.” So, you can’t leave the area without taking home some delicious souvenirs.
Where to eat
In Rupit, you’ll find a wide range of dining options, from grill houses specializing in dishes cooked over an open fire to places with unique views or terraces in the heart of the village. Whether you’re looking for traditional flavors, homemade cuisine, or a gastronomic experience with breathtaking views, this charming village offers something for every taste and preference.
You can find all the restaurants in Rupit on Guiacat.
Where to stay
To fully experience the essence of life in this medieval village, you’ll find plenty of accommodations with various capacities and styles to meet your needs. However, you’ll have to choose what you prefer, whether to enjoy the magnificent views from the village itself or stay in the vast natural area that surrounds it.
Both options are perfect for discovering this region. In the town, we recommend staying at Hostal Estrella, and outside, we recommend the rural house Mas El Coll.
You can find more rural accommodations in Rupit on Guiacat.
Local festivals and fairs
Each region, municipality, and village has its own popular fairs and festivals. Here’s a collection of them so you can enjoy and enhance your stay.
First, in May, the Aplec de Montdois is celebrated, where the whole village attends mass at the Montdois sanctuary, followed by a communal paella lunch inside the church.
On August 9th, the Festivity of Sant Llorenç takes place. In addition to the meteor shower, a mass is held at the Sant Llorenç Dosmuts hermitage, followed by an aperitif with snacks.
Later, on September 29th, you can enjoy the Rupit Town Festival. During this celebration, a variety of cultural, historical, and sporting events are organized. The most traditional are the mayor’s sardana dance and the giant figures’ parade. Additionally, the festival coincides with the BTT (mountain bike) event, organized by the village on the first Saturday of October.
At the end of November, on the 30th, the Pruit Town Festival is held, where the village gathers for a communal aperitif and mass.
Finally, for Christmas, a well-known live nativity scene is organized, involving more than a hundred participants from the community.
Best time to visit the village
The best times to visit the village of Rupit are twofold. On one hand, during the rainy season in April or May, to visit the Sallent Waterfall and witness this natural spectacle in all its glory, with large amounts of water crashing against the rocks. On the other hand, during Christmas time, as the village takes this celebration very seriously and loves to celebrate with its famous live nativity scene.
Must-dos
After learning a bit more about this village, here’s a list of must-do activities:
- Cross the suspension bridge
- Try the grandmother’s cake
- Climb the bell tower in Rupit
- Visit the Sallent Waterfall
- Attend the live nativity scene at Christmas
What to see nearby
Around Rupit, you can visit several religious buildings. One of them is the Hermitage of Santa Magdalena, in baroque style. About four kilometers away, you’ll find the Church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues, in Romanesque style, located near the Sallent Waterfall. It’s also worth visiting the Church of Sant Andreu de Pruit, also in Romanesque style.
But without a doubt, one of Rupit’s highlights is the Sallent Waterfall.
It is the tallest waterfall in Catalonia, with a drop of over ninety meters. To get there, you must take the path that starts at the Church of Sant Miquel and follows the course of the stream. Additionally, three hundred meters from the waterfall, you will find a viewpoint offering stunning views of the area. From here, you can admire the Agullola, a large rock separated from the cliff, famous in Collsacabra, especially for the legends of giants it has inspired.
Around Rupit, there are also other charming villages worth visiting, such as Tavertet, about fifteen minutes away by car, a village surrounded by cliffs located on top of a precipice, with views of the Sau Reservoir, Susqueda, and the Montseny mountain range. Another option is Vic, the capital of the Osona region.
How to get there
To get there by car, you should take the C-25 road towards Girona. Later, you’ll need to take exit 183 towards Roda de Ter on the C-153 until you reach Olot. From there, you will find all the necessary signs to reach Rupit.
By bus, there is a daily service from Barcelona-Vic-Rupit, though with limited schedules. From other directions, the best option is to take a bus to Vic and then take direct lines to Rupit.
By train, the nearest station is in Manlleu, followed by Vic, which offers more connections to other cities, such as Barcelona. Therefore, from other provinces, you would need to transfer in Barcelona.
Also, if you are arriving by plane, the nearest airports are Girona Airport (2-3 hours away) and Barcelona Airport (2-4 hours away).
