Wide sandy beaches and turquoise sea, small coves surrounded by steep rock faces, picturesque sailboats and pine trees over pine trees… for most of Catalonia’s epitome. It is easy to forget that the interior of the Spanish region also contains its treasures. One of them: the charming small town of Vic.
Vic is the main town of the Osona comarca in inland Catalonia. It is known for its Saturday market on the Plaça Major and the Roman temple in the middle of the old town. The key facts are set out here.
Vic at a glance
- location: Capital of Comarca Osona in the interior of Catalonia
- Saturday market: The famous market on the Plaça Major
- Roman Temple: In the middle of the old town
- cathedral: With the murals by Josep Maria Sert
- Museu Episcopal: With a collection of medieval art
- Population: 50,796 (2024, Wikipedia)
- Distance: 69 kilometres from Barcelona, 60 kilometres from Girona
- Altitude: 484 metres above sea level
- Name: from Latin Vicus Ausonae, formerly Vich, officially Vic since 1982
Vic – in the Comarca Osona
About 70 km north of Barcelona is the 40,000-inhabitant city surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Comarca Osana. Even when you walk in, Vic couldn’t seem more painterly. Outside the city walls, surrounded by trees, is the stone old stone bridge (yes, that was intentional) Pont de Queralt. If something from the 11th
century and is so well preserved, then it must also be impressive. By the year 1274, the only way from Barcelona to the city was via the Romanesque arch bridge – after that the king had the old road diverted and the new one led through the Maloles Gate. Named after a family of counts who lived inside the city, the Romanesque gem also adorned the 5-Peseta coins of Spain from 1954.
The city center of Vic
We continue towards the city center, past the baroque Església dels Dolors, and thus reach the beautiful cathedral of Vic. Together with the Pont de Queralt, the bell tower forms the Cathedral of Sant Pere The city’s most important landmark – not without reason, because the Romanesque Torre is actually the highest of its kind in all Catalonia.
In addition to the bell tower, the crypt and the remains of the church of Santa Maria also come from the Romanesque period, the rest is a mixture of Gothic and neoclassical. Right opposite the church square is the famous one Episcopal Museum, which opened in 1891. However, the modern touch of the building is definitely deceptive, because inside is one of the largest and most impressive collections of medieval art in Europe.
Roman temple in Vic
The next historic attraction is already waiting for us a few meters away: the imposing Roman temple. It is the only building that dates back to the Roman period – known as Vic under the name Auso. Today, exhibitions and other cultural events are held here regularly.
Plaça Major – Marketplace
Through colorful alleys in the Spanish style, we continue to the spacious Plaça Major – the main square of the city. The surrounding houses come from different style epochs. Particularly impressive: the Catalan Art Nouveau. A tour of the Plaça Major feels a bit like a quick run-through of the different architectural styles.
arcades
It is also striking that all the surrounding houses on the square have arcades, which in turn is due to the rough weather in the region. The arcades were built so high back then that a rider on his horse could easily shelter – pretty clever, right?
Small towns like Vic are often underestimated
The interior of Catalonia and, above all, small towns like Vic are easily underestimated – also by me.
Hidden Places
These somewhat hidden places have a lot to offer: historically interesting, natural treasures on the doorstep and a good portion of small town charm!
Read more about VIC here
Picture gallery of Vic
Name and location of Vic
Vic is the capital of the comarca of Osona in the province of Barcelona and lies at an altitude of 484 metres, about 69 kilometres from Barcelona and 60 kilometres from Girona. The name goes back to the Latin Vicus Ausonae; the town was formerly spelt Vich, and since 1982 the official name is Vic (Wikipedia).
More pictures and stops in Vic
Small town away from the city hustle and bustle
Sur Le Pont…
Small town stroll
We continue towards the city center, past the baroque Església dels Dolors, and thus reach the beautiful Vic Cathedral.
Together with the Pont de Queralt, the Catedral de Sant Pere bell tower is the city’s most important landmark – not without reason, because the Romanesque Torre is actually the highest of its kind in all of Catalonia.
Small town full of history
Right opposite the church square is the famous one Episcopal Museum, which opened in 1891. However, the modern touch of the building is definitely deceptive, because inside is one of the largest and most impressive collections of medieval art in Europe.
Time travel in the Catalan small town
It is also striking that all the surrounding houses on the square have arcades, which in turn is due to the rough weather in the region. The arcades were built so high back then that a rider on his horse could easily shelter – pretty clever, right?
The interior of Catalonia and, above all, small towns like Vic are easily underestimated – also by me. These somewhat hidden places have a lot to offer: historically interesting, natural treasures on the doorstep and a good portion of small town charm!
Frequently asked questions about Vic
When is the market in Vic?
The well-known weekly market takes place on Saturdays on the Plaça Major. If you want to experience it, you should be there early in the morning.
What can you see in VIC?
Sights include the Plaça Major with their arcades, the Roman temple, the cathedral with the murals of Sert and the Museu Episcopal with medieval art.
Where is Vic?
Vic is located in the Comarca Osona inland Catalonia, away from the coastal towns of the Costa Brava.
What is worth seeing in Vic?
The Saturday market on the Plaça Major and the Roman temple in the middle of the old town.
How many people live in Vic?
According to Wikipedia 50,796 (2024).
How far is Vic from Barcelona?
According to Wikipedia Vic is 69 kilometres from Barcelona and 60 kilometres from Girona.
Which region is Vic in?
Vic is the capital of the comarca of Osona in the province of Barcelona in Catalonia (Wikipedia).
How do you spell Vic?
Since 1982 the official name is Vic; the town used to be spelt Vich (Wikipedia).
How old is the Roman temple in Vic?
It dates from the beginning of the 2nd century, the imperial era, and is almost perfectly preserved (Komoot).
Sources: Wikipedia, Vic, Komoot, Römischer Tempel von Vic.
More on this: Excursion tip nearby: The Pantà de Sau reservoir with the sunken village, Vic – Charming Small Town, The Cathedral of Sant Pere in Vic, Episcopal Museum – history lesson with a difference in Vic.
