Rupit 360, climbing the Sant Miquel bell tower

What it is

Rupit 360 is the climb up the bell tower of the parish church of Sant Miquel Arcàngel, in the centre of Rupit. The bell tower, in neoclassical style, was carved in stone between 1786 and 1789. It is the highest point in the village: a vertical climb of almost 30 metres that puts you above the stone rooftops, with views of the whole old town and of the cliffs and woods of the Collsacabra all around. The Town Council presents it as one of the stops you should not skip to understand the village.

Opening hours

It opens on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 11:00 to 15:00. Ticket sales close 30 minutes earlier, at 14:30. It does not open on weekdays.

Price

• Adults: €2.
• Children up to 3 years: free.

You pay in cash or by card. The climb and descent, with time at the top to look around, take about half an hour.

Rules

• Maximum capacity: 30 people at a time. On busy days you may have to wait.
• In a storm, the bell tower closes to avoid risks.
• Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs.

Getting there

The church of Sant Miquel is in the old town. From the municipal car park at the entrance you cross the stream by the hanging bridge and climb the cobbled streets: it is the same route as the walk round the village and the hanging bridge. Parking is free for the first 45 minutes and costs €6 for 4 to 24 hours.

Rupit is about 28 km from Vic, about 45 minutes, on the C-153 towards Olot, and about 26 km from Olot on the same road. From Barcelona it is about 106 km, around two hours.

When to go

Arrive at opening, at 11:00, if you go on a Saturday or Sunday in high season: Rupit receives thousands of visitors a year and the bell tower's capacity is small. On a clear day, the view over the Collsacabra is wider. If the sky threatens a storm, bear in mind that it may close.

With children

Small children go up with the adults, and up to age 3 they do not pay. The climb is vertical and by ladder-like stairs: with babies, a baby carrier is better than carrying them in your arms, and keep an eye on little ones at the top. You cannot take a pushchair up; leave it below. To round off the morning with children, the en Rupes game takes you around the village with challenges on your phone.

Accessibility

The climb is vertical and by stairs, so it is not practicable in a wheelchair; if you have doubts, ask at the tourist office. The old town of Rupit has cobbled streets.