CardonaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

Salt and the Castle's Origins

Cardona's history is linked to its Salt Mountain (Muntanya de Sal). This salt diapir, formed over 40 million years ago from an ancient sea, has been a source of wealth and strategic importance for millennia. Archaeological evidence shows salt extraction here since the Neolithic period (around 4000 BCE), with early inhabitants taking pieces from exposed deposits. By the Bronze Age (around 2000 BCE), shallow pits were dug for purer salt. During the Roman era, Cardona was a trading and agricultural town, with salt from the mountain transported throughout Europe from the port of Barcelona. This mineral was sometimes used as currency.

The strategic importance of the salt led to the construction of Cardona Castle. The initial fortress was built in 886 by Wilfred the Hairy, Count of Barcelona, to defend the border between the Catholic Catalan Counties and the Muslim Moorish dominions. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, the castle served as the official residence for the Cardona family, who controlled the surrounding valleys, including the salt basin. The family's motto, "Primer del Rey, després de Déu, la Casa de Cardona" ("First of the King, then of God, the House of Cardona"), reflected their power, funded by salt revenues.

A Medieval Fortress and a Place of Resistance

Cardona experienced its main period between the 13th and 14th centuries, when the Cardona family became important in the Catalan-Aragonese Crown. The town's medieval character, with its walled enclosures and Gothic additions, defines its historic center. The castle, a medieval military fortification, was updated in the 17th century with the addition of bastions.

During the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), Cardona Castle became a symbol of Catalan resistance. It was the last fortress to surrender to the Bourbon troops of Philip V, falling on September 18, 1714, after the capitulation of Barcelona. The castle's Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç, a Catalan Romanesque building, also served as military barracks during the Napoleonic Wars in 1794, a function it maintained until the early 20th century. The salt mine operated until 1990, when it became the Salt Mountain Cultural Park, opening its underground galleries to visitors.

• —Cardona Castle — This 9th-century fortress combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Visitors can see parts of the old count's castle, including the Torre de la Minyona, and the Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç. The castle offers views of the town and the Cardener River valley.
• —Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç — Located within the castle grounds, this Romanesque church, built between 1019 and 1040, is an example of early Catalan Romanesque architecture. It has a central nave almost 20 meters high and a barrel vault ceiling.
• —Salt Mountain Cultural Park (Muntanya de Sal) — Descend into the former salt mine, which closed in 1990, to explore its original galleries. This geological site features reddish potash salt and displays various salt colors and textures. Visitors can learn about the history of salt mining and the geology of the diapir.
• —Plaça de la Fira — This square is the center of Cardona's old town. It shows the town's medieval character.
• —Church of Sant Miquel — A 14th-century building dedicated to the Virgin of Patronage, the patron saint of Cardona. The Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç was moved here in 1794, when the castle and Sant Vicenç were used as barracks.
• —Portal de Graells — This 15th-century gate is the only remaining main entrance of the medieval wall that once enclosed the town.
• —Carrer Major — This street in the old town has Romanesque and Gothic constructions.

The best time to visit Cardona is during spring (May to early June) and autumn (September to early October). The weather is mild, suitable for walking and sightseeing. May has wildflowers, and September offers pleasant temperatures without the summer crowds.

Avoid July and August, as these months can be hot, with average daily highs reaching 30-31°C (86-87°F), and the town can be crowded. Winter (November to March) brings colder temperatures, with January lows around 0°C (31°F).

Cardona is approximately 95 km (60 miles) northwest of Barcelona. The drive from Barcelona takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, take a train from Barcelona to Manresa, then a bus from Manresa to Cardona.

The historic center is best explored on foot, as it has stone streets. Parking is available, with specific areas for visitors. The Salt Mountain Cultural Park and Cardona Castle have visitor facilities. The Salt Mountain and guided castle tours are closed on Mondays. The Cardona Tourism Office is closed on Mondays, open 10 AM to 2 PM on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 10 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 AM to 2 PM on Sundays.