Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is the smallest municipality in Catalonia. Despite its small size, it is one of the most interesting municipalities you can visit due to its impressive Romanesque church and also because it is located in a privileged natural environment such as the natural environment of Berguedà.
In this article we are going to show you much more about Sant Jaume de Frontanyà to arouse your interest in knowing it. In this way, if you are planning to go camping in the Catalan Pyrenees , you may find it interesting to visit this interesting municipality.
Where is Sant Jaume de Frontanyà and how to get there
Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is located in Berguedà. One of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get to the town is by car from Barcelona. To do so, you will only have to take the C-16 to the BV-402. Another option if you don’t have or don’t want to go by car is to take a bus from Berga.
History and charm of the smallest municipality in Catalonia
Despite its small size, this municipality in Catalonia exudes history and charm in each of its corners. Sant Jaume de Frontanyà has less than 100 inhabitants, but that does not prevent it from offering a large number of things to all those who dare to enjoy its rural tourism.
The history of this municipality is linked to the monastery of Sant Jaume. This monastery is a historic building dating back to the eleventh century and in 1931 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. In its day it was an important religious building and a benchmark in Romanesque art in Catalonia.
Church of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà: jewel of Romanesque architecture
The church of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is one of the most important points of interest in the region of Berguedà and dates back to the eleventh century. Over the centuries the village grew around the church and has survived all kinds of crises and complicated periods due to the epidemics that ravaged the region.
Despite all the difficulties that the town has gone through, for example, the extinction of all the Augustinian monasteries in Catalonia by Pope Clement VIII, Sant Jaume de Frontanyà has managed to preserve its historical and cultural heritage, making it a reference in the region.
The church of Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is an example of Romanesque architecture, that is, we are in front of a temple that is characterised by sobriety and elegance as well as the harmony of its forms. The church has a Latin cross-shaped floor plan with a central nave and a transept open to three semicircular apses.
One of the most striking elements of the church is the octagonal dome it has. This rises above the transept of the church and serves to give the church a majestic appearance . The dome is decorated with a frieze of blind windows and Lombard arches, characteristic elements of Romanesque art.
The main façade of the church has a door with a semicircular arch that is flanked by two bell towers whose floor plan is square. Although the interior of the church is austere, it is able to transmit peace and tranquility in the same way that the nature that surrounds the region does.
What to see and do in the surroundings
Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is much more than the charm of the church of Sant Jaume. Being in the Berguedà region, it offers several different activities that are related to nature.
The first thing we should take into account is the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. This natural park is a paradise for nature lovers where you can enjoy a wide variety of hiking trails, bird watching, lush forests… So you can have a picnic in the middle of nature or simply take a walk among its flora and fauna to breathe fresh air.
If you decide to visit Sant Jaume de Frontanyà in winter, you can also go to the La Molina ski resort. This station is one of the most popular in Catalonia and is very close to Sant Jaume.
As not everything is nature or sport, there is also room for those who enjoy culture. In addition to the church of Sant Jaume you can visit the church of Sant Esteve de Tubau or the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Oms. Likewise, and beyond the medieval churches, we also recommend you enjoy some of the most charming villages in the region such as La Pobla de Lillet, Bagà or Borredà.
Hiking and nature trails in the area
There are many interesting hiking trails in the region so you can enjoy hiking in the middle of nature. The PR-C 51 Route: Sant Jaume de Frontanyà – Coll de la Creu Melosa – Sant Jaume de Frontanyà is a 9-kilometre circular route that is perfect for discovering the surroundings of the region. Along this route you will pass through pine and oak trails through which you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the region.
Another option is the “Camí dels Bons Homes” Route. This route is an ancient path that has a lot of history in between, as it is a route that the Cathars followed in the Middle Ages through the Cadí-Moixeró. This route is a bit more demanding, but in addition to nature it will also help you discover a little more about the history of the region.
We also recommend the Route of the “Salts i Gorgs de la Riera de Merlès“. It is a circular route of about 15 kilometres that follows the course of the Riera de Merlès. This route is different from the others because along it you will find a large number of waterfalls and crystal clear pools. This route is much more enjoyable in summer as you can cool off with the water.
Local gastronomy and culture
One of the most interesting things about practicing rural tourism and getting to know the charm of many of the villages in Berguedà is being able to enjoy their gastronomy.
In this case, we recommend that you bet on the traditional hospitality businesses of these small towns as you can enjoy some of the most characteristic dishes of the Pyrenees mountains.
If you have the chance, we recommend that you try the escudella i carn d’olla, a traditional stew that has vegetables, assorted meat and legumes. We also recommend the patates emmascarades, which are boiled and mashed potatoes with sausage, cabbage and bacon.
Meat lovers will be able to enjoy the grilled meats of the region and also all kinds of sausages such as butifarra, fuet or longaniza among others. This region also has rich cheeses such as sheep’s or goat’s cheese.
Those with a sweet tooth cannot leave without trying some of the most famous traditional sweets such as coques or bunyols.
Tips for visiting Sant Jaume de Frontanyà
Plan well the time to visit Sant Jaume de Frontanyà and prepare your backpack in the right way. While spring and autumn are very good options for their more pleasant temperature, in winter the landscapes are snowy so it has a much more particular charm. Depending on what you are going to do or visit you will have to choose the station accordingly.
If you plan to stay a few days, it is important that you book in advance. The offer of accommodation is limited, especially on some special dates throughout the year, so booking in advance will allow you to enjoy this rural adventure without any problem.
In addition to the hiking trails, many of these hidden villages have cobblestone streets. For this reason, we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes so that you do not have problems when walking.
Remember that you are going to visit the mountain, so the weather can change suddenly. The best way to be prepared for these changes is to bring some clothing for rain or cold and, if it is in layers, much better. Remember to always respect the environment so that Sant Jaume de Frontanyà continues to be as pleasant a green environment as it has been until now.
