Sant Hilari Sacalm Route
Situated at an elevation of over 800 metres in the heart of the Guilleries Massif, and watered by a multitude of natural springs, Sant Hilari Sacalm became one of the main summer destinations for well-off families in the second half of the 19th century and, above all, in the early 20th century when noucentisme was the predominant architectural style. This is clearly reflected in the architectural heritage of the town.
– Town Hall (C/ Rectoria, 17). The Town Hall was built in 1906 in a neo-Gothic style, as can be seen in its pointed arches and the long balcony with a central gallery composed of trefoil arches and slender columns.
– Workers’ Cooperative – Guilleries Museum (Pl. Dr. Robert). This building, in the noucentista style, is the former headquarters of the Workers’ Cooperative. Its most noteworthy features are the sweeping semicircular arch on the façade and the intricate eaves that crown the building. It is now home to the GuilleriesMuseum.
– Taverna de l’Aigua (Water Tavern) (Pl. Jacint Verdaguer). This remarkable noucentista building is where the Font Picant carbonated spring water was originally served. Private.
– Can Borràs (C/ Vic, 29). The most striking features of this residential property are the sgraffito work on the façade, the gallery of semicircular arches on the top floor and the decorated eaves. Private.
– Casino Tívoli (C/ Josep Ximeno, 8). Former cinema and casino which still preserves noteworthy decorative elements in the noucentista style on its façade: pilasters and columns with capitals, moulded cornices, vents and wide eaves. Private. Shops on the ground floor.
– Can Miret (Pl. Dr. Robert). The most important features of this corner house are the mouldings with neo-baroque reliefs that decorate doors and windows. Private. Bar on the ground floor.
– Passeig de la Font Vella. Along this long avenue, which links the town centre to the Font Vella spring, there are several grand summer homes with noteworthy architectural elements (no. 6 – 8, 23, 25, 37). The former Villa Josefina (now Balneari de la Font Vella, and open to the general public) stands out in particular at no. 57. It is a large four-storey neo-Gothic building.
– Font Picant (Ctra. d’Osor, km. 20.5). There is an interesting series of heritage elements in the area surrounding this natural spring (Font de Sant Josep, also known as Font Picant). Between 1925 and 1927, monuments in the noucentista style were built both over this spring and over another one (Font de Santa Teresa). They are located in the gardens of the former Balneari de la Font Picant, built in 1880 and in operation until 1939.