Rupit i Pruit was formed when two pretty towns, Rupit and Pruit, in the heart of the Collsacabra mountains, were joined together in 1977. This area spreads out across the Montdois Plain, to the left of the Ter Valley, which is famous for Aiats Plain and its surrounding sheer cliffs. The Rupit or Sallent River is a tributary of the Ter and provides the town with water, while the Torrent del Gravet also ends here.
Today, Rupit i Pruit’s economy depends on tourism and it has plenty of accommodation options and shops. Having said that, livestock farming is still important to the town, particularly pigs and cows, while agriculture is mainly limited to the small-scale farming of cereals, fodder and potatoes.
The town originally grew up around the castle, which was constructed in 1000 and replaced one that originally stood in Sant Joan de Fabregues.
- The Historic Quarter
- Suspension Bridge
- Church of Sant Miquel Arcángel
- Hiking routes
- Where to eat in Rupit i Pruit
- Things to see nearby
- Where to stay when visiting Barcelona province
The Historic Quarter
The historic centre of Rupit has numerous well preserved stone houses dating from the 16th to the 18th century and many still bear the name of their founders. Their impressive gateways and entrances are attractively decorated with crests of arms and carved wood balconies. The houses in Calle del Fossar and Calle de la Iglesia are particularly worth seeing. Notaría Soler, for example, is in a 14th century palace that still has the Soler family crest. The church of Sant Miquel Arcángel is also in the historic centre.
Suspension Bridge
Rupit Suspension Bridge is another of the town’s important architectural attractions, alongside other historic bridges across the Rupit River such as Can Badaire, which led to the Susqueda road and was rebuilt in 1983, or medieval Sala Bridge, under the Sala farmhouse on the road between Rupit and Cantonigrós. Rupit Suspension Bridge was built in 1945 and restored in 1994.
Church of Sant Miquel Arcángel
The 17th century church of Sant Miquel Arcángel is in the centre of Rupit’s old town. Built in the Baroque style with Neoclassical elements, it’s topped by a stone arch and five conical columns. The altarpiece was obtained in Olot in 1878 and the stone bell tower was built between 1786 and 1869.
The old parish church is on the road from Rupit to Mas del Pendís and is dedicated to Sant Joan de Fabregues. This Romanesque building has three apses in the shape of a clover leaf and was restored in 1976.
The church of Sant Andreu in Pruit is also particularly noteworthy; it has a 12th century Romanesque body and an 18th century Renaissance-style bell tower made of crushed stone. Another important Romanesque church is Sant Llorenç Dosmunts, which is surrounded by a cemetery wall.
Hiking routes
In spring and summer, guided walks take visitors around Rupit and into its forests where they can admire conifers in the area around Corriol, beech trees in Soler and Bac hill, and oaks in Rupit. Another beautiful hiking trail runs from the Sallent waterfall across a landscape dotted with abandoned mills, pools, waterfalls and springs. The town also has two viewpoints: one is in Rupit, at Masía del Soler, and the other is on the road that runs from Pruit to Falgars and has views of the Pyrenees and Picos de Aiats.
Where to eat in Rupit i Pruit
It would be a crime to leave Rupit i Pruit without trying some of the local dishes, such as broad beans, escudelles (soup) and game stews. If you’d like to sample typical local food, we recommend the restaurants Can Sallent, Albert, Ca l’Estragués and El Mirador del Pont: Bar de Menjars. The food at L’Hort d’en Roca, La Fonda Marsal and El Genet is also surprisingly good.
Things to see nearby
There are several tourist attractions near Rupit i Pruit. For example, it’s well worth visiting Sant Hilari Sacalm, the ‘town of a hundred fountains’ where water has played a key role in local history. And don’t miss stunning Pantano de Sau in Vilanova de Sau, which runs along the Ter River in Osona region, the historic town of Tavertet, with its stone houses and spectacular landscapes, and the church of Sant Martí Sescorts, which appears in documents dating from 934 when it was part of Roda.
Where to stay when visiting Barcelona province
If you’d like to enjoy Rupit i Pruit and other towns in Barcelona province, it’s a great idea to stay in Barcelona itself – below are four hotel recommendations that you’re sure to love.
Barceló Raval. This cosmopolitan four-star hotel is next to Las Ramblas and very close to Plaça Catalunya. The Barceló Raval has 182 rooms and 4 suites with views of Raval neighbourhood, plus a 360˚ terrace that looks out over the entire Barcelona skyline. The hotel’s bars and restaurants serve a variety of local and international dishes so there is something for everyone.
Occidental Diagonal 414. This superior four-star hotel is right on Avinguda Diagonal, one of the most important thoroughfares in Barcelona, opposite iconic Modernist building La Casa de les Punxes. It’s a boutique hotel with 100 cosy guest rooms, a 25 m2 gym that is open 24/7, three multi-use rooms and a private car park. The Occidental Diagonal 414 also serves a wide range of food at its buffet restaurant and snack bar.
Barceló Sants. Travellers staying at Hotel Barceló Sants are always impressed by its futuristic design – it looks like an orbital space station, inspiring guests to set off on an imaginary journey into space. The hotel is right on top of Sants station and has direct access to the AVE and Barcelona’s public transport network. Its 312 Orbital rooms, 52 Stratosphere rooms and 14 Orbital suites have a cosmic vibe and guests are guaranteed to enjoy a comfortable stay.
Occidental Atenea Mar – Adults Only. This urban four-star hotel is 150 m from Nova Mar Bella Beach and has great connections to the centre of Barcelona. It has 191 modern rooms full of luxury details. The fitness room is free for guests to use, and the restaurant serves wonderful Mediterranean haute cuisine. What’s more, the Occidental Atenea Mar – Adults Only has a terrace with a snack bar and 48 m2 infinity pool where you can book Balinese beds, sunbeds and pouffes.
