In an age when everything seems to have been discovered and nothing can surprise us anymore, there are still hidden corners that spark our imagination and offer us unique scenery. An hour and a half from Barcelona lies one such spot: the floating monastery of San Salvador de la Vedella.
In true Alcatraz style (or at least a miniature version), an island rises from the middle of the Baells Reservoir, featuring a 9th-century monument that leaves no one indifferent. This feature, combined with the beauty of the natural landscape, makes this reservoir a special place.
However, the Baells Reservoir offers another attraction that makes it a unique destination. The reservoir’s dam was built in 1976 to regulate the flow of the Llobregat River, prevent flooding, and make the water available for public use. Today, the Cercs Mining Museum offers a guided tour inside the dam—a unique opportunity to understand how one of the country’s most complex and impressive engineering feats works .
Things to Do in Cercs, the Mining Town with Natural Landscapes
If you decide to visit Cercs and spend one or more days in the Berguedà region, there’s a wide variety of options available that are suitable for the whole family.
A must-do is a visit to the Abbey of Sant Salvador de la Vedella, the floating monastery founded by monks in 830. Many tour companies organize kayaking or boat excursions to cross the reservoir, take in the views, and get up close to this unique building. In addition, there are many trails around the reservoir to enjoy nature. Swimming is permitted, as is recreational fishing.
The Cercs Mining Museum is another unique option that offers many interactive experiences, such as the aforementioned tour inside the dam or the chance to hop on the train and venture into the Sant Romà mine.
Another highlight of Cercs’s historical heritage is the Pont de Petret, a Gothic bridge dating from 1286 that spans the Llobregat River with four arches of unequal sizes.
