Taradell, with about 6,800 inhabitants, is a town in the Osona district, in the province of Barcelona, in Catalonia. It lies on the edge of the Plana de Vic, on the slopes of the Guilleries and Montseny mountains, a few kilometres from Vic. It is a residential and farming town surrounded by woods, fields and masies, traditional Catalan farmhouses.
History
The area was inhabited in Iberian and Roman times. In the Middle Ages Taradell castle was built, recorded from the 10th century, of which the tower survives on a hill above the town. For centuries Taradell was a farming village; in the 20th century industry developed, mainly textiles and food, and the town grew as a residential area near Vic.
What to see
- The church of Sant Genís, the parish church.
- The remains of the castle, on Castell hill, overlooking the Plana de Vic.
- Historic masies nearby.
- Trails climbing towards the Guilleries through oak and chestnut woods, ideal for hiking and mountain biking.
Food
Osona is famous for cured meats: fuet, llonganissa de Vic, with protected geographical indication, and botifarra. Try also pa amb tomàquet, mongetes amb botifarra and autumn mushrooms from the woods.
Festivals
The Festa Major is in summer, with concerts, family activities and traditional dancing. In December there are Christmas markets and events.
Around Taradell
- Vic, about 6 km away, with its great Plaça Major, the Saturday market, the cathedral with paintings by Josep Maria Sert, the Roman temple and the Mercat de Música Viva in September.
- Montseny natural park, a biosphere reserve.
- The Sau reservoir, where the bell tower of a sunken church emerges when water levels are low.
- The medieval village of Rupit.
Getting there
Taradell is about 65 km from Barcelona, reached by the C-17 motorway. The nearest railway station is Vic, on the Rodalies R3 line. Buses run from Vic and Barcelona.