Vic (Barcelona)

Vic is in Barcelona (province) in Catalonia.

Understand

Vic, formerly Ausa, unveils its rich history from Roman and Iberian coins to its role in the War of Succession and the Spanish Civil War. Restored by Guifré el Pilós in 879, Vic was a strategic enclave between Frankish and Islamic forces in the 8th and 9th centuries. During the 18th century, it led the rebellion against Philip V, marking the loss of Catalan freedoms. The Civil War left its mark, with Vic as a key stage for the Carlist Wars. In 1991, ETA attacked, and during the 1992 Summer Olympics, Vic hosted roller hockey competitions.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airports are in Girona (GRO ^IATA) 56 km (35 mi) and Barcelona (BCN ^IATA) 85 km (53 mi).

The are 2 turistic airfields :

• Camp de vol d'Osona-Folgueroles
• Camp de vol La Puieda

By Car

• C17 from Granollers to Vic and then to Ripoll
• C25 Eix transversal from Girona to Vic to Manresa
• C37 via C17 to Olot

By train

• 1 Vic train station (Estació de tren de Vic), pl.de l'estació. R3: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat - Puigcerdà (updated Nov 2023)

See

Vic Main Square, north side houses

• 1 Main Square. The Plaça Major or Mercadal de Vic is a monumental porched square at the highest part of the old town, or Dalt de Vic. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Cathedral, Plaça de la Catedral. MO-Su 10:00-13:00,16:00-19:00. It is disputed whether the Church of Sant Pere Apòstol or Sta. Maria la Rodona was the first cathedral church. For centuries the bishops celebrated the first Christmas Mass in this church, and the third in that of Sant Pere. The ancient Church of St. Mary was rebuilt from the foundations by Canon Guillem Bonfil in 1140, and consecrated forty years later by Bishop Pere Retorta. In 1787 it was demolished to make room for the new Cathedral. Bishop Jordi (915–38) reconsecrated the Church of Ripoll and also consecrated that of St. Mary of Manresa. The original cathedral, which had but a single nave, thick walls, and few windows, was replaced by that built by Bishop Oliva. As early as the 13th century, Bishop Raimond d'Anglesola wrote a pastoral letter exhorting his people to contribute towards repairing the cathedral. In 1401 Bishop Diego de Heredia added a transept, and in 1585 the door of Sant Joan was added, but the necessity of a complete reconstruction was soon recognized, and towards the end of the 18th century the building was torn down, and the cornerstone of the new one was laid on 24 September 1781. It was consecrated on 15 September 1803. It is classic in design, a combination of Doric and Tuscan, with a façade of white stone enriched with a balustrade. It has three entrances, corresponding to the three naves, and colossal statutes of its six patrons. The interior is Corinthian. All the monuments and altars were destroyed when the old church was demolished, except the high altar which is of alabaster, in the Gothic style, and was given early in the 15th century by D. Bernat Despujol. Among the chapels is that of St. Bernat Calvó (1233–43), who assisted James I of Aragon in the conquest of Valencia. A Gothic doorway leading to the chapter house has been preserved. The conciliar seminary was begun in 1635 by Gaspar Gil and was finally finished, by command of Pope Benedict XIV, by Manuel Muñoz in 1748. The modern seminary is located in the former Jesuit College. It has sent out many famous men, among them Balmes and the poet Jacint Verdaguer, author of "L'Atlàntida". The episcopal palace was destroyed in the wars of 1640 and rebuilt in stages, being completed by Bishop Veyan. The archaeological museum is in this building. Free entrance to the central nave. (updated Nov 2023)

• 3 MEV Museum of Medieval Art (Museu Episcopal de Vic - Museu d'Art medieval), Plaça Bisbe Oliba, 3, ☏ +34 938 869 360, reserves@museuartmedieval.cat. 10:00-18:00. The MEV occupies a pre-eminent place among the museums of Europe and gathers one of the best collections of Romanesque and Gothic art in the world. services: Multimedia guide in Catalan, Spanish, English and French · Shop · WiFi throughout the building · Wardrobe and luggage room · Rest area · Auditorium Library · Building adapted for people with reduced mobility · Wheelchair rental. 8.5€. (updated Nov 2023)
• 4 Leather Art Museum (Museu de l’art de la Pell), Carrer Arquebisbe Alemany, 5, ☏ +34 938 833 279, info@museuartpellvic.cat. Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00,16:00-19:00. Su:11:00-14:00. Dedicated to the decorative and applied arts of leather, the collection assembled by Andreu Colomer Munmany is exhibited, focusing on objects made entirely or partially with leather. 3€. (updated Nov 2023)

• 5 Museum of Sant Antoni M. Claret, Casa Mare Missioners Claretians ,C. St. Antoni M. Claret, 8, ☏ +34 93 885 02 42, cmfvic@interausa.com. Reservation required. Located next to the Holy Sepulcher Temple, it is a complete didactic space about the life of Father Claret, the places where he lived, where he preached, the activities he carried out and in general about the life he had. (updated Nov 2023)

• 6 Balmes Museum (Museu Balmes), Plaça Don Miquel de Clariana, 3, ☏ +34 93 8862091. Reservation required. Exhibition on the work of the Vigata philosopher Jaume Balmes in the room where he died. (updated Nov 2023)
• 7 Roman Temple (temple romà), 2, del Pare Xifrè street, info@patronatestudisosonencs.cat. Tu-Sa 11:00-13:00,18:00-20:00. Su:18:00-20:00. It is the most important monument due to its antiquity. It was built at the beginning of the first century. Unknown for centuries because it was surrounded and was part of the Montcada castle, erected at the end of the 11th century. The walls of the Temple cell formed the inner courtyard of the castle and were recovered from 1882 when the old building that had housed the functions of the residence of the veger, seat of the Royal Curia, barn of the city ​​and prison (updated Nov 2023)

Do

Hiking

Long-range

• Catalan Way of St. James from El Port de la Selva to Montserrat (Spain) to Alcarrás passes the city.

Markets

• Medieval Market
  • The Medieval Market is installed in Vic coinciding with the Pont de la Puríssima (around december 8th). These days the city becomes a large medieval town. It is one of the most important events in the city, from a tourist and commercial point of view, which in recent editions has had more than 100,000 visitors.
• Mercat del Ram (Livestock exhibition)
  • The Mercat del Ram de Vic, a meeting point for the agricultural sector and a great party for the public.Annual appointment, prior to Holy Week.Livestock exhibitions and competitions, agricultural products, recreational, sporting, cultural and commercial activities, equestrian exhibitions and competitions and a large area dedicated to gastronomy.

Balloon flights

The geographical characteristics of the plain of Vic make it particularly suitable for the practice of balloon flight. Several companies offer the opportunity to live the unique experience of contemplating the city and the region from the sky. A feeling to remember for a lifetime.

• 1 Aircat.cat, Carrer de Jacint Verdaguer, 31, ☏ +34 93 889 3336, aircat@aircat.cat. 160€. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Balotour, Eix Onze de Setembre, 10, ☏ +34 93 889 44 43, +34 607 85 69 69, balo@balotour.com. (updated Nov 2023)

Eat

The city is renowned for its cured meats, with the Vic sausage standing out, although its most famous variant is the fuet. It's noteworthy that pork is the staple of Vic's gastronomy, influenced by the environmental features of the region, making local products like llonganissa and botifarra unique and distinctive.

Go next

Manresa, where St. Ignatius Loyola wrote his Spiritual Exercises, is situated in the Diocese of Vic. His memory is venerated in the Santa Cova, which has been converted into a church, and a college of the Jesuits built near it.

Routes through Vic

Manresa ← L'Estany ←

w  E

→ L'Esquirol → Girona