Day 629 - 04/07/2015 : Coll de Nargó

After our unforgettably driving on C-14 road crossing mountains and reservoirs we reached Coll de Nargó, the first town we came across in Alt Urgell shire.

It is situated in the Segre valley by the Oliana reservoir. The municipality is served by the C-14 road between Ponts and La Seu d'Urgell, the L-511 road to Isona and the L-401 road to Sant Llorenç de Morunys.

 We missed to visit Sant Climent Church, a beautiful Romanesque church located outside the town. Instead of this, we visited Sant Martí's church.

But, if you are coming with children visiting the dinosaur site at Coll de Nargó is a must. It's one 
of the three most important and promising sites of its kind in the world. The area includes footmarks, fossilised vegetal and animal remains, and dinosaur eggs and nests.

Amazing !!!

Day 628 - 03/07/2015 : Oliana's reservoir

Following C-14 road to the North you will be skirting Oliana's reservoir, it's majestic, extremely big but we weren't lucky in that time because we saw it almost empty.

It was March's beginning and the snow coming to Pyrenees hadn't started yet to melt. Anyway, we were able to admire curious panoramas as you can see today. An old run-down house can be see in the middle of the reservoir giving us a stunning picture, finally it was worth it to drive on that day.

Who would be living in that ghost town?

Day 627 - 02/07/2015 :Oliana's dam

After leaving Oliana by C-14 road and crossing Segre's bridge don't miss to stop the car in the border to admire such a fantastic building: Oliana's dam.

Climbing up C-14 is a must in your Catalonia trip, not only will be seeing you the remarkable Pyrenees in the background but also the majestic Segre and their reservoirs.

Oliana reservoir is one of the biggest in Catalonia and may be the most panoramic. Being built in 1956 and inaugurated in 1959, it wasn't able to store all the Segre capacitance therefore it was need to built Rialb reservoir, which is just below Oliana.

Enjoy your route !

Day 626 - 01/07/2015 :Rialb's reservoir

Leaving Solsona by C-26 road you will be reaching Rialb's reservoir after 45 minutes or so. It's the first Segre reservoir you will encounter if you are traveling to La Seu and Alt Urgell shire by C-14 road.

Rialb reservoir lies beneath Tiurana, bounded by the mountains of Peramola, Oliana, Bassella, Baronia del Rialb, Ponts and Tiurana itself. Fed by the River Segre, the Rialb, which gives it its name, and the Ribera Salada and surrounded by beautiful forests climbing the slopes of the hills and mountains, where you can see various hermitages and farmhouses, all of them very old, it forms a magnificent natural landscape.

Rialb reservoir is becoming a fantastic place known for its beauty. Its surroundings also allow you to enjoy adventure sports, such as canoeing, rafting, ravining or fishing. For all these reasons and more, a visit to the area with family or friends is an unbeatable way of relaxing or burning off adrenalin.

Have a rest and enjoy nature !

Day 625 - 30/06/2015 :Solsona's panorama from Castellvell

Castevell is governing Solsona and surroundings. From this historical place you may take a wonderful panorama from Solsones shire's and Pyrenees range.

Being located 130 meters above Solsona it's possible to see Montserrat looking to the South, Montseny to the East, Torregassa's range to the West and finally Port de Compte and Casi to the North.

It's really worthy the visit because you can admire also the relevant building which was built in the 13th Century and extended during the Baroque age in 17th Century.

 Now, moving to another Catalan shire, see you tomorrow !

Day 624 - 29/06/2015 : C-149 road to CastellVell

Solsona's surroundings are nicer as the town is and one of this sights may be found going to CastellVell. Belonging to Olius the road to this slope is itself amazing: spring colors were remarkable while we started to see the building in the background.

The emblematic Castellvell (old castle), which is an essential part of the Solsona landscape, and gives visitors a panoramic view of the town and its surrounding area is definitely a must even you plan only to stay one day in Solsona, then, don't miss to include in your diary.

Lovely !

Day 623 - 28/06/2015 : Solsona's St Joan square

Looking into Solsona's medieval town we will face the stunning St Joan square, which may be consider the center of the town.

In the middle of the square there is a fountain dating back to the 15th century, which was previously called the Main Fountain. The chapel built above it is dedicated to Saint John (18th century). There is also a plaque inscribed with the poem Record de Solsona (Memory of Solsona) written by the poet Josep M. de Sagarra.

House number 1 in the square is Cal Cabanes, an ancestral home belonging to one of the main families in Solsona.

Amazing !

Day 622 - 27/06/2015 : Solsona's Cathedral indoors

Obviously, once you are in Solsona and you've entered into the medieval city the first thing to do may be visiting the Cathedral.

You have to consider the following timetable:

9.00 am -1.00 pm and 4.00 pm- 8.00 pm
Holidays: 8.00 am -1.00 pm and 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

 The door leading out into the Church square is a neo-classical design (1780) with a relief of Saint Augustine in ecstasy. And in the Palace square there is a Baroque façade of the Assumption (1769). The Episcopal Palace is in the same square.

Enjoy your visit !

Day 621 - 26/06/2015 : Solsona's Cathedral

Solsona's cathedral is the main church of the bishopric. This monument stands not only for its religious meaning, but also for its cultural and artistic heritage.

From the early Romanesque church (1070-1163) still remain the three apses, the bell tower, the cloister, the cellar and the canon’s dining hall, which is currently the Hall of the Holy Martyrs. The current cathedral is an example of Gothic architecture, and it was started at the end of the 13th century and completed in the 17th century. To the left of the transept, there is the Chapel of La Mercè, with a Baroque altarpiece. To the right, there is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Claustre, dating from the 12th century, and which is catalogued as one of the most important Catalan Romanesque sculptures.

Undoubtedly, you will get impressed after crossing the bridge !

Day 620 - 25/06/2015 : Fisinh in Sant Ponç reservoir

The Sans Pont Reservoir or "Pantà de Sant Ponç" in Catalan is a reservoir located 104km north west of Barcelona. The reservoir is fed by the River "El Cardener"and it is a stunning place with turquoise clear water which makes it a lovely place to visit let alone fish.

In general the banks are not too steep and there is very good road access right around the water which makes shore fishing possible in many places. The reservoir holds its water well and it never usually falls below 80% of full capacity.

Carp are the primary species although specimen fish are rarely taken from the water. Besides the Carp, Barbel, Pike and Black Bass are also present. 

What about a grilled carp for lunch?

Day 619 - 24/06/2015 : Monserrat from Marganell

You may enjoy fantastic views from Montserrat range in few places, but I strongly recommend going to Marganell in Vallés Occidental and continue on BV-1123 in the way to Manresa.

After leaving the town look at your mirror and stop the car when you admire Montserrat's silhouette in the background. Marganell fields merged with colorful trees growing flowers and the breathtaking range in the background.

It was a bit foggy but we were able to stand up and wait some minutes until we got a clear spot. What do you think about?

Day 618 - 23/06/2015 : Spring colors

If I were you I wouldn't think to go to Japan to see spring colors. From the second half of March Catalonian trees are usually plenty of colorful flowers, giving a chance to photographers to take wonderful.

We hadn't drive too much to find our first spring spot : in our route to Solsona by BV-1123 road we came across with such a beautiful trees plenty of white flowers, may be it were almond or cherry trees, anyway the picture was gorgeous.

In a journey where no odds were on our side to find nice spots, here the first one.

Enjoy !!!

Day 617 - 22/06/2015 : Cerdanya's typical breakfast

Our balloon experience finished with a strong Cerdanya's breakfast consisting in 'trinxat' (the most known dish), fried eggs, sausage, bacon, pork fillet and 'torrezno' (a sort of fried bacon).

It was really delicious and for your information is the common way to finish a flight balloon journey taking into account you will be waking up very early.

Whatever the area you are taking your balloon you will receive a great breakfast based on local product, therefore don't miss it before leaving !

Enjoy your breakfast !

Day 616 - 21/06/2015 : Three and true colors

True colors are beautiful, beautiful, like a rainbow. The lyrics from Phil Collins may inspire today's picture because even being in a cold winter day Cerdanya showed us how beautiful nature is.

While another flight colleague tried to start his trip we continued our fantastic journey without taking eye on the snowed mountains and the bright blue ski.

Cerdanya's fields are starting to growth preparing the end of winter season and the beginning of a productive spring time, we were in the latest February days, therefore we could start to smell the good weather would start soon.

True colors !

Day 615 - 20/06/2015 : Alp, Masella and Molina

Suddenly the wind changed direction and our balloon began to fly to Alp and ski resorts above : Masella and Molina.

The view was breathtaking : Alp's town below, road GI-400 breaking the mountain, green trees climbing up and the distinct ski ways cutting the top of the mountains.

The snowed range is known as Tossa d'Alp and not only is it advisable in winter for the amusement of fool skiers but also in summer for trekking and biking.

Willing to try ballooning?

Day 614 - 19/06/2015 : Puigcerdà from the air

As we told two days ago, our balloon took North way and soon we were above Puigcerdà, which is Cerdanya's capital.

Lake were perfectly distinguished on the left town area, however, looking it from the air Puigcerdà seems tinier than it is.

Behind, French Pyrenees and the blue sky governing all the journey, it was so fantastic. We guessed if going to the South might have been better, but we weren't disappointed at all.

The flight continued, you can't get out now !

Day 613 - 18/06/2015 : Cerdanya's West panorama

While our balloon was leading us to Puigcerdà we took a view to the West getting an unforgettable spot : Cerdanya's shire and Cadí-Moixeró range were governing that clear morning.

The balloons are exceptional balconies where only the sound of our voice breaks the silence of dusk in the valley. The key question is where the best time to fly, the answer is every time.

In this picture, from Alp-Masella range on the left and Cadí-Moixeró in the middle to French Pyrenees on the right, Cerdanya's beauty is fully caught and no one of us were telling any word, only taking pictures !

Amazing !

Day 612 - 17/06/2015 : Greixer from the air

Definitely, air ballooning is an experience you should taste at least one time in your life (probably you will be repeating later !).

In a very cold winter morning in Cerdanya, we were able to surf a bright blue sky admiring such a beautiful panorama. We had North wind therefore our balloon was pushed to Puigcerdà range and we were able to see the tiny tows located in High Cerdanya, as Greixer and Ger.

In fact, Greixer is belonging to Ger, and the tiny town has no more than 40 inhabitants. Located at 1345 above sea level, the most remarkable sight is Sant Climent de Greixer church, which we weren't able to see from the balloon.

We continue flying !

Day 611 - 16/06/2015 : Cerdanya's Alp aerodrome

La Cerdanya Aerodrome welcomes you, whether you fly in or drive to our airfield. If you come flying, we are pleased to offer our refueling service, hangars, and restaurant. If you come by car, you'll enjoy the great variety of aeronautical activities we provide: anything from gliding to hot air ballooning, private pilot courses, ultralight flights, and much more.

In our case, we tasted hot air ballooning !!!

Sited between Das and Fontanals, very close to Alp, La Cerdanya Aerodrome's location is perfectly suited for both the practice of aerial sports and to act as the best destination for fly-ins.


On the other hand, La Cerdanya has a particular micro-climate which makes the aerodrome the flying spot with the most sunny days in Europe.

Fly and drive !

Day 610 - 15/06/2015 : Olius Modernism cemetery

Just beside St.Esteve Church in Olius, we can find a Modernism Cemetery designed in 1916 by the architect Bernadi Martorell, who was disciple of Gaudí as we can see with evidence elements as the needle with the upper cross.

The cemetery in endorsed in natural environment with a unstable sole due to the ground and it's taking advantage of natural resources, for instance the stones to make graves.

 The symbolism is shown in the building between the fallen stones, the death's symbol, and the oaks, the life's symbol. Its creativeness and condition made this cemetery an unique place in Catalonia.

Mystic !

Day 609 - 14/06/2015 : St Esteve d'Olius church

St.Esteve d'Olius is a remarkable example of XI Century's Catalan Romanesque, being its crypt the most relevant element.

Just beside we can find the Modernism Cemetery of Bernadí Martorell where the integration between nature and architecture is an unique fact in Catalonia.


The whole are is located 4km from the main road between Solsona and Berga, known as C-26. The church consist in one alone nave and the bell tower has four window in arch shape.

Above the altar it's important to highlight the crypt built in honor of Santa Maria, created from three tiny naves stand out by six different columns.

Enjoy your visit !