Solsona

The economic activity is fitting of a medium-sized city that is the capital of a region, with a strong city commercial network (tradition of fairs: old Fira de les Forques- Mayfair or Pitchfork Fair). It has a certain industrial tradition (construction materials, wood, etc.), but currently its predominant economic activity is services. There are cereal fields and livestock operations, primarily of pigs and sheep.

The visit to the most emblematic spots in Solsona starts at the Santa Maria Cathedral, Gothic in style and built on the remains of an ancient Romanesque church, which is the home of the famous Mare de Déu del Claustre (made of stone).

We continue to the Episcopal Palace, a building finished on 1779. Its main façade, together with that of the Virreina Palace in Barcelona, is one of the most important examples of Catalan neo-classical design. It houses the Diocesan museum of Solsona, which is a must-see for those interested in medieval art.

After that, you can head to Castell street, where you will find the tenebrist painter Francesc Ribalta house and the Morató brothers house, a line of sculptors dating back to the 18th century, with carved faces into de roof beams.

In front of, the Town Hall, a sober Renaissance building, made out of carved stone, which used to be an old merchant house. One of the roads alongside the building is Sant Pau Street, the old Jewish quarter.

Other interesting spots are the merchant houses in Llobera street, the Ice Well, just in front of the Bridge Gateway, the Solsonès Interpretation Centre and Reproduction of Knife-making Workshop, que deja clara la importancia de este oficio en la ciudad, and The Giants Room, the space where the giants have been stored since 1710.

Finally, Llobera Palace, a Gothic building dating back to the first half of the 15th century. Successively this building has been a hospital for the poor, a college for the Dominican monks, a literary university, a seminary and a school. It currently houses the regional country council

The visit to Solsona can start at what is considered the main entrance to the city, the Bridge Gateway. Sant Miquel street will take you to the cathedral and the Bishop's Palace.

Major square, which is porticoed, is the heart of the city. This is where the main streets meet. This square holds the weekly market on Fridays and some of the main festivities, such as the Carnival or Corpus.

Not far we can find the most emblematic square in Solsona, Sant Joan square. where you can find the first fountain of the city (15th century), which is decorated with some verses from Josep Maria de Sagarra. The Castle Gateway, which is the entrance that was used by the lords of the city.

Solsona's popular celebrations are famous for their giants. Its Carnival is renowned throughout Catalonia, and there is also the Corpus, the Giant's meeting in August and the Festa Major in September.

Solsona is famous thanks to the quality of its knives and cold meats. The city has a tasty continental cuisine, with meats, rice dishes, potatoes and a great variety of mushrooms that stand out. Rabbit dishes and veal dishes are amongst local specialties. As far as sweets go, we need to mention the cocas (both sweet and salty), which are a type of flat cake and the excellent pastries.

The Tourist Office offers guided tours around the city regularly.

On top of that, you can walk or bike around the landscapes that surround Solsona thanks to its sign-posted routes. Also, you can go hiking on the GR3 Central Catalonia and GR7 from Farga de Moles to Fredes routes.