Impregnable Cardona

For over five hundred years, a walled keep protected the riches of Cardona. But nowadays, this beautiful town throws the doors to its old town wide open and unveils all the secrets of its impregnable castle.  Do you fancy a visit to the last Catalan stronghold to fall in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714

The Medieval Cardona Centre, declared a Site of National Cultural Interest in 1992, is a good starting point from which to explore Cardona's old town. Located in the Plaça de la Fira, under the vaults of Aimines, there are regular guided tours that let the visitor discover the town centre's most important buildings and places, such as Sant Miquel Parish Church, Market Square or the Graells main gate


The passing of time can also be easily seen in Cardona Castle, an 11th-century fortress on the borders of Al-Andalus and which played a vitally important strategic role during the War of the Spanish Succession: in fact, it was the last Catalan fortress to surrender, on 18th September 1714. Notable among the towns historic sites are Sant Vicenç College, the Duke's Courtyard and the Minyona tower, which offers magnificent views over the River Cardener and Salina Valley!


The Salt Mountain is one of the town's most important tourist attractions. The result of the drying up of an ancient inland sea, open cast salt mining dates from Neolithic times and continued until the constant fall in prices caused its closure as recently as the 1990s. However, the mines were soon reopened for tourism, and the whole of this natural wonder can now be visited!
 
•    Looking for a good occasion to visit Cardona? Two suggestions: June's Medieval Fair and the Season of Sacred Music, held at Easter. 


More information:

Cardona Tourist Board
Bages Tourist Board