Berguedà
Encyclopedia
Berguedà is a comarca (county)
in the interior of Catalonia
, Spain
, lying partly in the Pyrenees
and partly in Catalonia's Depressió Central.
by a chain of 2,000-meter peaks. These include the mountain ranges of Cadí
, Moixeró, Puig d'Alp and Puigllançada
. In this area the population is centered mainly in the valley of Llobregat and the valleys of the rivers Bagà
, Bastareny and Saldes
. To the east are the mountain ranges of Catllaràs and Rasos de Tubau, to the west the high ranges of Pedraforca
, Verd
, Ensija and Rasos de Peguera
.
The more populous Baix Berguedà is the southern part of the comarca. It is made up of the foothills of the Pyrenees
, transitioning into the plains of the Catalan Central Depression.
y and (by Catalan standards) cold, with snow
in the winter on the higher peaks. Average annual precipitation
exceeds 1000 mm (40 inches), mostly in the warmer seasons.
The vegetation consists mainly of forests of Scots Pine
and oak
. Shadier areas have European Beech
and, less often, Silver Fir
. Above 1700 meters, Mountain Pine
dominates and above 2200 meters the vegetation consists primarily of alpine meadows. The southern half of Berguedà consists of lower valleys, with a dry Mediterranean climate. Average annual precipitation is 700 to 900 mm (28 to 36 inches), with very little precipitation in the summer. Average annual temperatures fall between 11 and 13 °C, with cold winters, but without excessively hot summers. The naturally occurring vegetation is carrascara (Round-leafed oak
, Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia) in dry areas with poor soil
and oaks where there is better soil and more rain. In the center and to the west, Portuguese oak
(Quercus faginea) dominates, to the west and north Downy oak
(Quercus pubescens, syn. Q. humilis). Nowadays, these are intermixed with Scots Pine and Aleppo Pine
.
, textile
s, forestry
, cattle ranching, and agriculture led to a slow but steady increase, with 39,600 inhabitants in 1930, 41,938 in 1950 and 47,953 in 1960. Then, with a decline in the local economy (especially a fall-off in mining) coinciding with greater opportunity elsewhere, another decline of the economy and population set in, with the population falling to 44,446 in 1970, 42,152 in 1981, and a mere 37,995 today.
Currently, industrial activity is located mainly in between Berga
and Puig-reig
. The opening of the Cadí Tunnel and the general improvement of the roads in recent years may improve the economic potential of the valley of Llobregat and of Berguedà in general.
Agriculture, cattle ranching and forestry have proved generally complementary to one another and compatible with tourism
. The growth in tourism has provided some jobs and has been a key factor in reducing emigration from Alt Berguedà. Many farm houses have been converted (in whole or in part) to tourism-related uses.
, a week-long celebration held in Berga
every summer. During the Patum, representations of different mythological beasts and historical figures take to the streets, and concerts and banquets are also organized in the town. Another well-known celebration is the Fia-faia, held every Christmas Eve
in Bagà
and Sant Julià de Cerdanyola
. This pre-christian tradition marks the winter solstice, with participants carrying lighted bundles of Cephalaria leucanta from a bonfire in the mountains to the west of either town (where the sun is seen to set) to the main square.
Comarques of Catalonia
This is a list of the comarques of Catalonia . A comarca is roughly equivalent to a US "county" or a UK "district". However, in the context of Catalonia, the term "county" can be a bit misleading, because in medieval Catalonia, the most important rulers were counts, notably the Counts of Barcelona...
in the interior of Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, lying partly in the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
and partly in Catalonia's Depressió Central.
Geography
The northern half of Berguedà, known as Alt Berguedà or “Upper Berguedà”, consists of the upper valley of Llobregat and the mountainous areas surrounding it. Its northern border is a veritable mountain barrier: Berguedà is separated from CerdanyaCerdanya
Cerdanya is a natural comarca and historical region of the eastern Pyrenees divided between France and Spain. Historically it has been one of the counties of Catalonia....
by a chain of 2,000-meter peaks. These include the mountain ranges of Cadí
Cadi
Cady or CADI may refer to:* Career and Academic Development Institute, an alternative high school in Philadelphia, PA* Cadillac, a brand of luxury automobile...
, Moixeró, Puig d'Alp and Puigllançada
Puigllançada
Puigllançada is a mountain of Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Pyrenees, it has an altitude of 2409 metres above sea level....
. In this area the population is centered mainly in the valley of Llobregat and the valleys of the rivers Bagà
Bagà
Bagà is a municipality located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia.Traditionally, Bagà is considered the capital of Alt Berguedà, the mountainous northern half of the comarca.-Location:...
, Bastareny and Saldes
Saldes
Saldes is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Pedraforca mountain in the north of thecomarca. Deposits of lignite are extracted commercially...
. To the east are the mountain ranges of Catllaràs and Rasos de Tubau, to the west the high ranges of Pedraforca
Pedraforca
The Pedraforca is a mountain of the Pyrenees, located in the Berguedà comarca.It is one of the most famous and emblematic mountains in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.-Description:...
, Verd
Verd
Verd is a settlement to the south of Vrhnika in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia. The Verd viaduct on the A1 motorway from Ljubljana to Koper runs above the settlement....
, Ensija and Rasos de Peguera
Rasos de Peguera
Rasos de Peguera is a ski resort located near Berga, in Catalonia, currently out of service.The Catalan government has pledged to help the resort, as it does with others, to begin the modernization and implementation of the complex, if a private initiative leads the project...
.
The more populous Baix Berguedà is the southern part of the comarca. It is made up of the foothills of the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, transitioning into the plains of the Catalan Central Depression.
Climate
Alt Berguedà is rainRain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
y and (by Catalan standards) cold, with snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
in the winter on the higher peaks. Average annual precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
exceeds 1000 mm (40 inches), mostly in the warmer seasons.
The vegetation consists mainly of forests of Scots Pine
Scots Pine
Pinus sylvestris, commonly known as the Scots Pine, is a species of pine native to Europe and Asia, ranging from Scotland, Ireland and Portugal in the west, east to eastern Siberia, south to the Caucasus Mountains, and as far north as well inside the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia...
and oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
. Shadier areas have European Beech
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica, the European Beech or Common Beech, is a deciduous tree belonging to the beech family Fagaceae.-Natural range:...
and, less often, Silver Fir
Silver Fir
Abies alba, commonly known as the European silver fir, is a fir native to the mountains of Europe, from the Pyrenees north to Normandy, east to the Alps and the Carpathians, and south to southern Italy and northern Serbia.-Description:...
. Above 1700 meters, Mountain Pine
Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo, the Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine, is a high-altitude European pine, found in the Pyrenees, Alps, Erzgebirge, Carpathians, northern Apennines and Balkan Peninsula mountains from 1,000 m to 2,200 m, occasionally as low as 200 m in the north of the range in Germany and Poland, and as high...
dominates and above 2200 meters the vegetation consists primarily of alpine meadows. The southern half of Berguedà consists of lower valleys, with a dry Mediterranean climate. Average annual precipitation is 700 to 900 mm (28 to 36 inches), with very little precipitation in the summer. Average annual temperatures fall between 11 and 13 °C, with cold winters, but without excessively hot summers. The naturally occurring vegetation is carrascara (Round-leafed oak
Holm Oak
Quercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It takes its name from holm, an ancient name for holly...
, Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia) in dry areas with poor soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
and oaks where there is better soil and more rain. In the center and to the west, Portuguese oak
Portuguese Oak
Quercus faginea, the Portuguese Oak, is a species of oak native to the western Mediterranean region in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Similar trees in the Atlas Mountains of northwest Africa are usually included in this species, or sometimes treated as a distinct species Quercus...
(Quercus faginea) dominates, to the west and north Downy oak
Downy Oak
Quercus pubescens, the Downy Oak or Pubescent Oak, is an oak in the white oak section of the genus, Quercus sect. Quercus. It is native to southern Europe and southwest Asia, from northern Spain east to the Crimea and the Caucasus. It is also found in France and parts of central...
(Quercus pubescens, syn. Q. humilis). Nowadays, these are intermixed with Scots Pine and Aleppo Pine
Aleppo Pine
Pinus halepensis, commonly known as the Aleppo Pine, is a pine native to the Mediterranean region. Their range extends from Morocco and Spain north to southern France, Italy and Croatia, and east to Greece and northern Tunisia, and Libya, with an outlying population in Syria, Lebanon, southern...
.
Population and economy
Berguedà has always been sparsely populated. In 1860 there were 31,544 inhabitants, but by 1887 the population had fallen to a low of 23,257. The 1900 census showed a slight rebound to 27,217 inhabitants. For the next 60 years, growing opportunities in miningMining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
, textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s, forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
, cattle ranching, and agriculture led to a slow but steady increase, with 39,600 inhabitants in 1930, 41,938 in 1950 and 47,953 in 1960. Then, with a decline in the local economy (especially a fall-off in mining) coinciding with greater opportunity elsewhere, another decline of the economy and population set in, with the population falling to 44,446 in 1970, 42,152 in 1981, and a mere 37,995 today.
Currently, industrial activity is located mainly in between Berga
Berga
Berga is the capital of the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia, Spain.- History :Berga derives its name from the Bergistani, an Iberian tribe that lived in the area before the Roman conquest. The Bergistani were first subdued by Hannibal in 218 BC...
and Puig-reig
Puig-reig
Puig-reig is a municipality and town in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. As of 2009, the town had a population of 4,403.Situated atop a hill overlooking the Llobregat River, its name means "Royal Hill" in old Catalan. The town includes two medieval fortresses, as well as numerous examples of...
. The opening of the Cadí Tunnel and the general improvement of the roads in recent years may improve the economic potential of the valley of Llobregat and of Berguedà in general.
Agriculture, cattle ranching and forestry have proved generally complementary to one another and compatible with tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. The growth in tourism has provided some jobs and has been a key factor in reducing emigration from Alt Berguedà. Many farm houses have been converted (in whole or in part) to tourism-related uses.
Main sights
Berguedà is well known for Pedraforca mountain --traditionally considered a meeting place for witches' covens-- for its pastoral and mountain scenery and for its many romanesque churches. Another often-visited sight is the Mountain of Queralt (home to a sanctuary housing the Comarca's patroness, the Virgin of Queralt), which is served by many hiking trails and offers views of much of Berguedà and the surrounding comarques. The comarca also contains many medieval bridges and conserves many old town centers, most notably those of Berga or Bagà.Events
Berguedà is well known for its many traditional festivals. The most famous is certainly the PatumPatum de Berga
The Patum de Berga , or simply La Patum, is a popular and traditional festival that is celebrated each year in the Catalan city of Berga during Corpus Christi. It consists of a series of "dances" by townspeople dressed as mystical and symbolical figures, and accompanied either by the rhythm of a...
, a week-long celebration held in Berga
Berga
Berga is the capital of the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia, Spain.- History :Berga derives its name from the Bergistani, an Iberian tribe that lived in the area before the Roman conquest. The Bergistani were first subdued by Hannibal in 218 BC...
every summer. During the Patum, representations of different mythological beasts and historical figures take to the streets, and concerts and banquets are also organized in the town. Another well-known celebration is the Fia-faia, held every Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
in Bagà
Bagà
Bagà is a municipality located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia.Traditionally, Bagà is considered the capital of Alt Berguedà, the mountainous northern half of the comarca.-Location:...
and Sant Julià de Cerdanyola
Sant Julià de Cerdanyola
Sant Julià de Cerdanyola is a town and municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia.-Geography:The town is located in a high hollow in the Pyrenees of Berguedà, at 1000 meters above sea level...
. This pre-christian tradition marks the winter solstice, with participants carrying lighted bundles of Cephalaria leucanta from a bonfire in the mountains to the west of either town (where the sun is seen to set) to the main square.
Municipalities
Populations are from 2005.- AviàAviàAvià is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia. Its population in 2007 was 2108 inhabitants.The municipality is made up of three towns: Avià, Graugés and La Plana....
- pop. 2,015 - BagàBagàBagà is a municipality located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia.Traditionally, Bagà is considered the capital of Alt Berguedà, the mountainous northern half of the comarca.-Location:...
- pop. 2,160 - BergaBergaBerga is the capital of the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia, Spain.- History :Berga derives its name from the Bergistani, an Iberian tribe that lived in the area before the Roman conquest. The Bergistani were first subdued by Hannibal in 218 BC...
- pop. 16,175 - BorredàBorredàBorredà is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the upper valley of the Margençol river in the east of the comarca. There are several notable houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Romanesque church of Sant Sadurní de Rotgers, a protected...
- pop. 518 - CapolatCapolatCapolat is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia, Spain.- Economy :The economy is chiefly agricultural, with a particular prevalence of animal husbandry and dryland farming.- Sites of interest :...
- pop. 79 - CasserresCasserresCasserres is a town and municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia, a part of the Baix Berguedà region. The town is first mentioned in 798, when Wilfred the Hairy established a castle here, naming it Castrum Serris...
- pop. 1,548 - Castell de l'ArenyCastell de l'ArenyCastell de l'Areny is a small town and municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. The old town of Sant Romà de la Clusa is within the municipal limits.-Places of interest:* Church of Sant Vicenç, Romanesque...
- pop. 60 - Castellar de n'HugCastellar de n'HugCastellar de n'Hug is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia. It is situated on the southern slopes of the pyrenean range of the Creueta. TheLlobregat river has its source on the territory of the municipality...
- pop. 184 - Castellar del RiuCastellar del RiuCastellar del Riu is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia, northern Spain. The municipal government is located in the village of Llinars.-Economy:...
- pop. 152 - CercsCercsCercs is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia. It is situated on the right bank of the Llobregat river above the Baells reservoir.It is the site of an important power station which burns the lignite extracted at Fígols and Saldes...
- pop. 1,342 - L'EspunyolaL'EspunyolaL'Espunyola is a municipality located in the southwest of the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. Prior to 1983 it was known simply as "Espunyola," without an article.-Sites of interest:*Castle of L'Espunyola, from the 13th and 16th centuries....
- pop. 270 - FígolsFígolsFígols is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated to the north of Cercs, in the mountains above the Llobregat valley.Deposits of lignite are extracted commercially.-Demography:-References:...
- pop. 48 - GironellaGironellaGironella is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the left bank of the Llobregat river to the south of Berga...
- pop. 4,853 - GisclarenyGisclarenyGisclareny is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia.- Economy :Agriculture is the mainstay of Gisclarany's economy, and in particular dryland farming and animal husbandry- External links :***...
- pop. 36 - Guardiola de BerguedàGuardiola de BerguedàGuardiola de Berguedà is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia. It is situated at the confluence of the Bastareny and Llobregat rivers in the north of the...
- pop. 926 - Gósol - pop. 223
- MontclarMontclar, BerguedàMontclar is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia.- History :The town first appears in written documentation in the year 1117. In 1240, King James I of Aragon granted the land to Pere de Breda, though by 1309, it was once again a possession of the crown.- Culture :The municipality's...
- pop. 121 - MontmajorMontmajorMontmajor is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia.-Geography:Montmajor is made up of four distinct enclaves, quite separated from one another. The principal area of the town essentially surrounds the town of Navès, which is in the comarca of Solsonès...
- pop. 460 - La Nou de BerguedàLa Nou de BerguedàLa Nou de Berguedà is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. Located on the left bank of the Llobregat River, it is most noted as a destination for outdoor activities...
- pop. 159 - OlvanOlvanOlvan is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. It is made up of the town of Olvan and the former industrial colony of Cal Rosal, on the Llobregat river.-Economy:...
- pop. 897 - La Pobla de LilletLa Pobla de LilletLa Pobla de Lillet is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia. It is located in the upper valley of the Llobregat river and is linked to Guardiola de Berguedà by Road B-402....
- pop. 1,348 - Puig-reigPuig-reigPuig-reig is a municipality and town in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. As of 2009, the town had a population of 4,403.Situated atop a hill overlooking the Llobregat River, its name means "Royal Hill" in old Catalan. The town includes two medieval fortresses, as well as numerous examples of...
- pop. 4,197 - La QuarLa QuarLa Quar is a small town and municipality located in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia. The municipality consists mostly of isolated farmhouses, with a few small settlements...
- pop. 68 - SagàsSagàsSagàs is a small town and municipality located in Catalonia, in the comarca of Berguedà. It is located in the geographical area of the pre-Pyrenees.-Population:...
- pop. 140 - SaldesSaldesSaldes is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà inCatalonia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Pedraforca mountain in the north of thecomarca. Deposits of lignite are extracted commercially...
- pop. 346 - Sant Jaume de FrontanyàSant Jaume de FrontanyàSant Jaume de Frontanyà is a municipality in the comarca of the Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the Pyrenees below the peak of Pedró de Tubau . The village is the smallest municipality in Catalonia in terms of population. The monumental Romanesque church of Sant Jaume is a...
- pop. 28 - Sant Julià de CerdanyolaSant Julià de CerdanyolaSant Julià de Cerdanyola is a town and municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, in Catalonia.-Geography:The town is located in a high hollow in the Pyrenees of Berguedà, at 1000 meters above sea level...
- pop. 258 - Santa Maria de MerlèsSanta Maria de MerlèsSanta Maria de Merlès is a municipality in Catalonia. It is officially within the comarca of Berguedà, but traditionally, it is a part of the natural comarca of Lluçanès. The municipality is located on the riera, or stream, of Merlès, from which the town takes its name...
- pop. 151 - VallcebreVallcebreVallcebre is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. It comprises two towns: Vallcebre proper, and the village of Sant Julià de Fréixens.- History :...
- pop. 284 - ViladaViladaVilada is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia, of about 500 residents. Its name is documented in the 9th century as Villalata, translated as “ample town.”-Demonym:Interestingly, Vilada has no demonym...
- pop. 507 - Viver i SerrateixViver i SerrateixViver i Serrateix is a municipality in the comarca of Berguedà, Catalonia. It comprises the towns of Viver and Serrateix, as per the name.- History :...
- pop. 193