In Orígens Geopark you can find a network of museums and interpretation centres that will allow you to discover the rich heritage of this territory.
We invite you to visit them!
Epicentre. Geopark’s visitors centre
From the Epicentre. Visitors Centre of the Geopark you can have information of all the activities that you can do in the Geopark. In addition, it is a space where the values of the cultural and natural heritage of the Orígens Geopark are explained: geology, dinosaurs, dark sky, vultures, culture and stories.
Passeig del Vall, 13. Tremp
Tel.: +34 973 653 470
epicentre@pallarsjussa.cat
The last dinosaurs of Europe
At Conca Dellà Museum in Isona you can see some of the fossil remains of the dinosaurs that lived before their extinction about 66 million years ago and discover how theylived. Also, through this museum, you can visit a spectacular fossil: a titanosaur neck of more than 5 metres long.
This museum belongs to a network called Dinosaures dels Pirineus together with the Epicentre, visitors centre of the Geopark, Dinosfera in Coll de Nargó, with dinosaur eggs as main attraction and the Centre d’interpretació del Montsec de Meià in Vilanova de Meià, where you can find an exhibition of local fossils of the Lower Cretaceous, about 130 million years ago.
The dark sky
To enjoy this paradise of stars and understand how life starts from the Big Bang, it is essential to visit the two astronomic centres located in MOntsec moutain range:
The Montsec Astronomy Park (PAM), located in Àger, is a centre that promotes education, dissemination and reserach. It has three areas: the exhibition area with the Universe and Starlight Rooms, a Telescope Park and a 3D planetarium wich receives the name of the Eye of Montsec. ,This is a multimedia centre with a 12-meter where some audiovisualscan be projected. Moreover, it is the only planetarium in the world that can move its dome to show visitors the real sky, tha Starlight sky of Montsec. This centre carries out visits during day and night time and offers a great number of activities for schools.
The second element is the Montsec Observatory (OdM), located in the municipality of San Esteve de la Sarga and dedicated to research and university training in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. This centre has an observation building and a dome that contains the Joan Oró Telescope, the largest and most technologically advanced in Catalonia. In addition to scientific research, throughout the year they schedule several guided tours to publicize their work to the general public.
It is worth highlighting that 9 municipalities are certified as a starlight tourist destination and starlight reserve, a seal of excellence endorsed by UNESCO.
The human legacy
In the Geopark you can follow the steps of the first human settlers with visits to the Cova del Tabac or the Roca dels Bous offered by the Espai Orígens, an interpretation centre in Camarasa.
The centre focuses on promoting research and disseminating archaeological heritage.
It also organises guided tours and activities in the Sant Llorenç de Montgai Archaeological Park (experimental workshops, conferences and temporary exhibitions). The proposal is aimed at a wide range of audiences and suitable for all ages.
Moving forward in time, we get to the Roman legacy of ancient Aeso (currently the village of Isona), which was one of the most important cities for the Romanization of inland Catalonia, which can be visited through the Conca Dellà Museum in Isona.
From this point, the visitor can enter to the Medieval Age to relive the history of counts and countesses, of fights and vassals, with guided visits to castles such as those of Mur, Llordà and Àger.
Jumping from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, we landed at the Botigues Museu (Museum-Shops) in the village of Salàs de Pallars. Longing awaits the visitor behind the counter of this museum that recovers the life of shops in the towns of the Catalan Pyrenees, traverses the history of everyday consumer goods and national advertising and packaging over a century, between 1870 and 1970.
Finally, we propose a visit to the Casa Mauri Modernist Complex (1903-1907) through the Sports and Nature Station in the Pyrenees of Pobla de Segur, which is also a tourist information point.
Resource exploitation
Mining was an important economic player in this area, and the imprints of this productive past linked to natural resources are still preserved today. In Gerri de la Sal you can discover how salt is produced in the Casa de la Sal Museum (Salt Home) and see some of the ancient salt pans.
It also talks about the importance of salt for the people of Gerri and tells the history and evolution of salt mines over time and the oral memory of the ancient salt miners.
You can watch an informative video (in Catalan).
Also, in Gerri de la Sal you can visit its Monastery, which is closely linked to the salt production.
You can also visit the Mines of Castell, through the Capdella Hydroelectric Museum, an operation promoted by the dictator Francisco Franco to extract uranium and build a nuclear bomb, a project that was ultimately not profitable.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Catalan industry was drowned by the lack of coal and a new energy had to be found to ensure its continuity. The strength of the rivers of the Pyrenees was the solution. In the Geopark territory, several hydroelectric power plants were built that brought light throughout Catalonia. Currently you can visit those of the Torre de Capdella (Capdella Hydroelectric Museum) and Talarn (La Central).
Enjoying nature
Casal dels Voltors (Vulture House) in La Torre de Tamúrcia is an information point and an interpretation centre for the scavenger birds in the Pyrenees. It is located in the La Ruta de la Vall dels Voltors (Vulture Valley Route), a circular trail of 1 km that can be done by BTT or on foot.
La Masieta de Mont-rebei in the municipality of Sant Esteve de la Sarga is a place that will welcome you when you visit Mont-rebei gorge, the most amazing in Catalonia.
Discover the museums through the Geopark’s activity book
Activity book of the Geopark project (6-12 years) – in catalan
Using the slogan “Dare to discover the Geopark project Conca de Tremp – Montsec”, these activity books will help you to discover and learn about the history and evolution of life of our territory in a funny way. “To learn more” you could go to the different museusms and facilities where you will find accurate information about the topics that appear in the book: nature, hidroelectric central plants, Medieval castles, prehistory, fossils of sea snails and dinosaurs, the formation of the Earth and the Univers.
Activity book (first edition) to be downloaded and printed double-sided (A4 i después doblar).
