Situation and presentation

 

The demarcation of Alpens, is the most northerly of the county of Lluçanès, is point of union between the regions of Osona, Berguedà and the Ripolles. Bounded on the N and E with the Llosses (Ripollés), S.E with Sora, in the S with Sant Agusti de Lluçanès and Lluçà W.with Borredà (Berguedà).

The territory, formed during the tertiary, is quite hilly, noting the proximity of the pre-Pyrenean regions; It is limited to the NW by sierra ranging from Puigcornador (1 228 m) to Santa Margarita de Vinyoles (1, 208 m), which separates it from the Ripollès.

These high lands have large slopes due to the rivers that traverse them and erode them.In this area, there are the headwaters of the river Lluçanès, Riera Gavarresa and the Sora River. Alpens is within the domain of the euro-Siberian vegetation, while in the northern sector of the demarcation appears potentially beech (Fagion sylvaticae), the rest of the territory would have a predominance of red pine forest.

The demarcation includes the town of Alpens, none of Township, the former parish church of Sant Pere de Serrallonga, and several open ancient farmhouses.Through the demarcation crosses the local road to Borredà in Sant Quirze de Besora, which connects the village with Sant Agustí de Lluçanès and the C-26 between Ripoll and Berga, already within the demarcation of Borredà.

The name, written in old documents Pinnos, Pintos and Pens, seems to be derived from Penna or Peña, specifically to the rock Pena, close to the population.Agriculture and livestock are important activities within the economic unit of the municipality, especially if we take into account that Alpens is a mountain village.

Mostly rain-fed products are cultivated, and include cereals (barley, sorghum).Livestock supply has grown according to the industrial sector, which has had some building to the municipality. It should be noted the swine and beef.

The village of AlpensThe village of Alpens (855 m) began to be known at the end of the 16th century, thanks to the parish archives preserved at the Episcopal archive of Vic. It is a core aspect of mountain village, located at the foot of the sierra de Santa Margarita de Vinyoles, just the header of Riera Gavarresa. In the XVII and XVIII centuries acquired the current layout of narrow streets, with its stone houses beautiful portals and windows with lintels with the dates of construction and the names of the builders.

Harmonious square elongated, with uniform stone buildings, where the town hall is remarkable.

The parish church of Santa Maria is a much-modified neoclassical building. Rebuilt in the 1708, burnt during the first Carlist war (1833-40) and restored in 1840-45, it keeps the altar and some side-altar of the 16th century, and the Fonda chapel or the Blessed Sacrament is 1846.

The Bell Tower is from the 15th - 16th and renewed the balustrade in the 18th century.Alpens celebrates its Festival in honor of Saint Cosme and Saint Damián, in September, with the traditional dance alpensina, Giants, correfoc and the dance of Devils and Carlists, created in 1986. On Tuesday of Carnestoltes a popular rice’s dishes organized in the Casino.

Fairs and festivals:

Cavalcade of Magi January 5.| Carnestoltes (Carnaval) Tuesday prior to ash Wednesday (popular food) .| Caramelles (Folk songs and dances) Easter Sunday. May Fair Last Sunday in May (Art of wrought iron / Battle of Alpens) .| 3 regions Race On the first Sunday of June. | Meeting of Saint Peter Sunday closest to June 29. | Major Festival September 27 (alpensina dance, correfoc, others dances,...) |

Shops in Alpens

Alpens has 2 restaurants, the Casino and the Fonda There are four shops and a bread oven. South of Alpens is situated the village of Sant Boi, there is a pharmacy.