What to do · Cardona
Solsona, the cathedral and the Diocesan Museum 20 minutes away
Information
- From
- €5 adult, museum admission
- Duration
- 2 h 30
- Season
- All year; the museum is closed Monday and Tuesday (in July and August it opens on Tuesdays)
- Who it's for
- Adults and teenagers; under-16s free at the museum
What it is
Solsona is the capital of the Solsonès, about 20 km from Cardona on the C-55, a little over twenty minutes by car. Its main church was an abbey until the bishopric of Solsona was created in 1593 and it became a cathedral. Beside it, on Plaça del Palau, the old bishop's palace houses the Diocesan and Regional Museum, with one of the most important collections of Romanesque art in Catalonia and works from all periods. Among them are fragments of the mural decoration and panels from Sant Miquel de Cardona, the Gothic church you will have seen on Plaça de la Fira.
It is the shortest excursion from Cardona: it fits in an afternoon or the morning of the second day. Beware if you plan to save it for Monday, when Cardona's visits close: the museum also closes.
The museum
It opens Wednesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:30 between 16 March and 14 December, and from 11:00 to 17:00 from 15 December to 15 March. Sundays and public holidays, from 11:00 to 14:00 all year. In July and August it also opens on Tuesdays. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the rest of the year, it is closed.
Admission costs €5; €3 for pensioners, unemployed, young people aged 16 to 18, students, Carnet Jove and large or single-parent families, and is free for under-16s. Every Saturday at 12:00 there is a guided visit to the permanent collection, for €7. Phone 973 48 21 01.
The cathedral and the old town
The cathedral is a few steps from the museum, in the old town. It was an abbey before it was a cathedral, and inside the nave ends in a tall apse with stained glass. From Plaça del Palau, the old town is walked at leisure.
Getting there and parking
From Cardona, take the C-55 towards Solsona: about 20 km and a little over twenty minutes. The museum and cathedral are together in the centre; park on the edge of the old town and go in on foot.
Who it suits
The museum asks for some interest in medieval art; teenagers may be caught by the Romanesque painting of the apses if they go on the Saturday guided visit. Under-16s enter free.
Tips
- Check the hours before you set out The museum closes Monday and Tuesday outside July and August, and in winter it closes earlier, at 17:00.
- Go on Saturday at 12:00 The €7 guided visit of the collection is the quickest way to understand the Romanesque you are about to see.
- Combine it with Cardona Morning at the Salt Mountain and afternoon in Solsona, or the other way round if you stay at the Parador.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Solsona from Cardona?
About 20 km on the C-55, a little over twenty minutes by car without traffic.
How much does the Diocesan Museum cost?
€5 general admission, €3 reduced and free for under-16s.
Which days is it open?
Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays; in July and August, Tuesdays too.
With teenagers
