Fantasy books and movies have led us to believe that magical landscapes, where nature blends with mythological creatures, are only possible in our imagination or on a post-production set. But as they say: reality surpasses fiction, and although there haven’t been any reported sightings of fairies or unicorns yet, today we’re bringing you one of those hidden places that make you wonder if what you’re seeing is real.
About an hour from Barcelona, the monastery of Sant Miquel del Fai is a historical and scenic gem: a monument built inside the mountain, with tunnels that run along the hidden side of a waterfall, caves that conceal a thousand-year-old church , and cliffs that serve as lookouts over the Cingles de Bertí Natural Area.
A place that brings together so many unique elements that it’s hard to imagine, yet so real that it’s listed as a Cultural Asset of National Interest to ensure its protection and preservation. Plus, admission is completely free, and it’s very easy to get there by car.
A place that impresses even before you arrive, since from the surrounding area you can see a waterfall about 300 meters high and the river course that has shaped the landscape for millennia. The only thing to note is that, depending on the season and rainfall, the water flow of the waterfall may be greater or lesser.
To reach the interior, you’ll cross the historic 16th-century Romanesque bridge over the Rossinyol River, which leads to the Church of Sant Miquel. Built in the year 1006 inside a natural cave, the church still features medieval paintings on its walls. Throughout the tour, you can see other buildings and structures dating back more than 500 years.
Sant Miquel del Fai: Hours, Reservations, and Things to Do
After being closed for more than three months due to the risk of rockfalls, access to Sant Miquel del Fai has reopened to the public, and it has its own parking lot. Although admission is completely free, you must make a reservation through the website of the Barcelona Provincial Council’s network of natural parks. Summer hours (May through August) are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and during the rest of the year, hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
During the visit, you’ll also find an exhibition and a marked trail to explore this exceptional setting in depth. But if you’d rather enjoy a day in nature or are a fan of hiking trails, the Cingles de Bertí Natural Park offers numerous trails throughout its territory.
