Cardona is a mix of medieval and modern. Its two main distinctive traits are its amazing 9th century castle and its salt mines, which were mined in the 19th century. A town of contrasts located not more than an hour by car from Barcelona which is worth visiting.
Cardona is crowned with its amazing castle, nowadays open to the public and transformed into national ‘Parador’ -a kind of luxury hotel located in a historic building. It was the residence of the Lords of Cardona and it consists of the castle, the Minyona Tower, the Collegiate Church of Sant Vicenç –jewel of the Catalan Romanesque architecture- and the modern fortress.
The mountain and the salt mines are another highlight of this town located in the region of Bages. During several years these salt mines were one of the most important ones in the world. With the visit to the Salt Mountain Cultural Park you will be able to discover the old mining facilities, the Art Sal craft centre and more than 500 metres of stunning galleries. In the Coral hall, for example, there are many salt stalactites and stalagmites, and in the Sistine Chapel, an impressive vault of ochre and reddish tonalities.
But Cardona is much more. The historical centre was declared cultural asset of national interest, the surroundings counts with charming paths and natural routes and, moreover, its gastronomic tradition and cold meats are a ten.
