landmark
Montserrat Monastery
A Benedictine abbey nestled among surreal serrated rock pinnacles, home to the revered Black Madonna and a renowned boys' choir.
15 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeSpainCatalonia
Manresa
Catalonia, Spain · Europe
About Manresa
Manresa is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Sant Fruitós de Bages, 46km from Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
Manresa is in Catalonia, Spain, with about 76,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Sant Fruitós de Bages, about 4 km away.
Manresa (Catalan pronunciation: [mənˈrɛzə]) is the capital of Bages county, located in the central region of Catalonia.
Crossed by the river Cardener, it is located in an industrial area with textile, metallurgical, and glass industries. The houses of Manresa are arranged around the basilica of Santa Maria de la Seu.Read more
Ignatius of Loyola stopped to pray in the town on his way back from Montserrat in 1522. He also read in solitude in a cave near the town for a year, which contributed to the formulation of his Spiritual Exercises. The town is a place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
It is believed the comarcal name "Bages" comes from a corruption of the Latin "Bacchus" due to the extensive production of wine in the area. The wine was produced from grapes grown mainly in terraced vineyards, and a number of these old terraces can be seen today. Wine ceased to be the main product of the area as a consequence of phylloxera, but is still an important part of the Manresa/Bages economy.
During the Napoleonic invasion, the volunteer troops of Manresa (sometent in the Catalan language) defeated the French troops in the El Bruc Pass in June 1808, but the retreating French burned and demolished much of the town. After the expulsion of Napoleon's troops, Manresans rebuilt the town using the rubble.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Manresa?
Within an hour or so of Manresa: Montserrat Monastery (15 km), Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (40 km), Park Güell (44 km), Basílica de la Sagrada Família (46 km).
Are there any good drives near Manresa?
The nearest famous roads are Port d'Envalira, Coll d'Ordino and Costa Brava.
Where is Manresa?
Manresa is in Catalonia, Spain, about 4 km from Sant Fruitós de Bages.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 76,250
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Catalonia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 41.7281, 1.8240
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Manresa
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Home of the Spanish Grand Prix at Montmeló near Barcelona; its blend of fast sweeps and slow corners made it Formula 1's favourite pre-season testing venue.
40 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Park Güell
Gaudí's whimsical public park in Barcelona filled with colourful mosaic tilework and organic architectural forms.
44 km · about 50 min drive
cathedral
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished modernist basilica, Barcelona's most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
46 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Casa Batlló
Gaudí's fantastical apartment building in Barcelona with a skeletal facade, coloured tiles, and a dragon-scale roof.
47 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
La Boqueria Market
Vibrant public market off La Rambla in Barcelona bursting with colourful fresh produce, seafood, and Catalan delicacies.
48 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Museu de la Moto Barcelona
Barcelona's motorcycle museum showcasing the rich heritage of Spanish and international motorcycle manufacturing.
48 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Aquarium Barcelona
Port Vell aquarium with the world's largest Mediterranean-themed exhibit and an 80-metre underwater glass tunnel.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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