Sant Llorenç monastery exhibition space has officially opened to the public this week following a €60,000 transformation project.
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The Barcelona Provincial Council has converted the former Mola restaurant into a permanent exhibition area dedicated to the history of Sant Llorenç del Munt monastery, marking a significant shift in how visitors experience this protected natural park.
Sant Llorenç Monastery Exhibition Space Preserves Cultural Heritage
The newly opened space aims to reinforce the heritage value of La Mola while expanding visitable areas within the monumental complex. Furthermore, the project represents a deliberate move toward more sustainable tourism in the natural park. Xesco Gomar, deputy for Natural Spaces at the Barcelona Provincial Council, defended the restaurant’s closure as necessary for environmental preservation.
“The Mola needed to preserve a cultural asset of national interest,” Gomar explained, referencing damage caused by mules transporting restaurant supplies. Consequently, the council decided not to renew the restaurant’s concession contract last February, citing environmental criteria despite nearly 10,000 signatures collected against the closure.
Meanwhile, visitor numbers to the natural park had already dropped by 21% compared to the previous year. The transformation project therefore represents a strategic shift in how the historic site is managed and presented to the public.
Enhanced Visitor Experience and Environmental Protection
The rehabilitation work has created not only exhibition space but also shelter and rest areas for hikers where the former exhibition hall stood. Additionally, new toilets are being constructed where the kitchens previously operated. This comprehensive approach ensures visitors can still enjoy the site while minimizing environmental impact.
Matadepera Mayor Guillem Montagut has positively evaluated the intervention, as has park director Sònia Llobet, who emphasised the importance of “giving value to the cultural, natural and architectural heritage at the summit of La Mola.” The project aligns with broader conservation efforts across the region that balance public access with environmental protection.
The Sant Llorenç monastery exhibition space now stands as a testament to careful heritage management. Visitors can explore the 11th-century architectural complex through organised, respectful access that preserves this important cultural site for future generations while maintaining the natural beauty that makes the area so special.
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