L'Estany
The force of water and earth / The Romanesque which stands the test of time
L’Estany is the highest village of the Moianès region. It is located in the northwest of the region of Bages at an altitude of 870 metres and it is surrounded by mountains ranging between 900 and 1,020 metres high.
The clayey soil and high rainfall turned the valley into a catchment area which became waterlogged and subsequently formed a lake of about 300,000 m2. Hence, the name of the village of L’Estany (which means lake in Catalan).
Carles de Cardona, the last abbot of the monastery, undertook the drainage of the lake, to eradicate a source of mosquitoes and malaria, and to gain new lands for farming as well. For this purpose, in 1554, he commissioned the construction of a sluiceway, which was lengthened and improved in 1735, resulting in the Mine of l’Estany.
The small village also boasts one of the most notable monuments of the Catalan Romanesque, the Santa Maria de L’Estany Monastery.
Places of interest
The oldest and best preserved of whitch date from the 16th century
Excellent outlook over the Pyrenees
Used for drying out the pond
Cultural Asset of National Interest
Informació de L’Estany i de la comarca del Moianès
Obra civil
Situat a les antigues dependències del monestir
Situada a les dependències del Monestir
Creu ornamental
Es mereixen també una visita
Per contemplar els Pirineus
