MONS OBSERVANS

Perched at the top of the hill of en Roina, at an altitude of 120 metres, the site of Mons Observans is an exceptional testimony of the Roman domination in Catalonia in the 2nd century B.C. It can be reached by car, then by a very short walk on a dirt track shaded by pine trees and perfumed by flowers (the site is signposted). First leave your car at the car park facing the power station, then continue on foot. At one point, the path splits in two, but both paths lead to the archaeological remains (it's a little longer on the right, but less steep!). After only a few minutes you will reach the top of the hill of en Roina where this Roman praesidium (military camp) was built. Its privileged location made it possible to control the main axes of communication, especially the Via Heraclea - later known as the Via Augusta - which linked the Iberian Peninsula to the Col de Montgenèvre, located in the French Alps. The rooms located under the patio are the best preserved of the site. The different areas are indicated by explanatory panels (in Catalan) illustrated with pictorial reconstructions.

Built around a central atrio , the role of the Roman praesidium was strategic, political and administrative control. Magnificent painted frescoes related to the early Pompeian style have been discovered on the site. They decorated the noblest parts of the praesidium, and are currently kept in the collections of the Museum of Montmeló.

Furthermore, behind these typically Roman decorations, archaeologists have noted the use of Iberian construction techniques (the base of the walls was built without cement and then covered with earth), which suggests that Iberian workers built the camp under the guidance of Roman architects.

The archaeological workshops for children and their families and the information point from which the guided tours depart should be noted.