After the way that goes down the mountain and after crossing the entrance gate, the first place where the visitor arrives is the Abbey Square. Its architecture matches with the mountain that makes it a support wall. Right next to it there is a line of small lakes that receive cold water from rain and thaw.

 In front of the square, the Priory House arises. This is one of the finest, better preserved and most representative constructions of the Catalan Gothic. It held the Prior house and the halls of the monks during the time when the monastery of Sant Miquel del Fai was at its maximum splendor. Later on, it turned into a hostel that received travelers that were passing by this region. Recently, it was completely restored and now it is used for banquets, private celebrations and company meetings.

 From the balcony you would have the most beautiful view of the Tenes Valley looking at the two neighbor towns, Bigues and Riells. If you follow the rocky gallery that used to be the cloister, you will find the Sant Miquel Church. This beautiful chapel, from the Xth Century, is the only Romanic church built under a cliff. It is believed that before the Romanic construction it was used first for pagan worships and then it was adopted by the Church for their celebrations.

 When you leave the aisle, you will reach to another square which is really big. Here you can find the Audiovisual Room .Get in, have a seat and enjoy a documentary about the history and the legends of Sant Miquel del Fai. The video contains amazing images of the waterfalls at major rains, the details of Works of art and architecture that can be found at the Fai, the small and little animal that live here and the variety of the vegetation in this area.

View from the entrance The Tenes Valley Aisle towards the church

 Next to the Audiovisual Room, there is the Museum: a small place where multiple findings of the Neolithic indicate that Sant Miquel del Fai was already inhabit in the Neolithic period. You can also see some pieces of the antique church capitals.

 Before you continue the way that will get you to the waterfalls, you will find some stairs that go down the mountain. If you take them, you will get to the Sant Miquel Cave. Its entrance, slightly hidden in the rocks leads you to an interior path. There the walls are constantly sweating water and because of its action over the rocks along the centuries stalactites and stalagmites have been formed. The cave was discovered in the year 1836 and it's been adapted so everyone can visit it.

 Going up the stairs and taking the main way again, you will find the Relaxing Square. A place for peace and silence, where you can take a picture next to the sculpture of the famous Catalan writer Josep Pla who, sitting in a rock bench, contemplates the scenery that inspired so many of his stories.

 If you keep walking, you will get to the Nuns Lake. In this case, the stagnated water has formed a small lake that keeps hidden under the rock. If you take a close look, you will see the little fish that quietly swim. The path goes on and turns into an interior aisle inside the mountain. It will take you behind the spectacular Waterfall of the Tenes river. Lots and lots of water drops to refresh you. The water goes down to the river opening up its way through the valley, heading Bigues and Riells.

Audiovisual Room Nuns Lake The path of the Hermitage

 Once passed the waterfall you will walk under the arch of an antique door, another sign of the splendorous time of the Monastery. From this point on, the Path of the Hermitage. running through the other hillside of the Tenes Valley. Not many meters ahead, the way deviates in one sense to the pícnic zone and the children's park. An ideal place to enjoy an appetizer, while the small ones play. If you see carefully you will be able to see the sun panels that are next to the cafeteria-hut. The thing is that the whole picnic installation has a solar energy system that provides the necessary electricity to run.

 In the other side, the way goes to the Sant Martí Hermitage.The hermitage arises alone among a wide esplanade. It has been recently restored, reproducing the Romanic paintings that covered the apse. The Sant Martí Hermitage is a beautiful example of the Romanic chapels and dates from the Xth Century.
In fact, it was the principal church of the region before the monastery was built around the Sant Miquel Church. All the farmers in the area used to celebrate their religious ceremonies there.

 The tour ends at the Tosques Cave. Going down the narrow aisles and using helmets, the most courageous visitors will be able to enter to the heart of this rocky formation. This is one of the most enigmatic places of Sant Miquel del Fai. The tour inside the cave is conducted by a guide that will tell you about the most singular elements and will help you follow the way.

 These are some of the main points of interest of the visit, but come and enjoy the walk, you will see that there is always something to find out and activities to enjoy in this natural landscape.

For further information, please contact us at info@santmiqueldelfai.net, or dial 93.865.80.08 - Legal information