Igualada
Built on the banks of the Noya river, Igualada is the capital of Anoia with a population of 35,000. Igualada’s old town has narrow, irregular streets that meander through its old houses and the remains of its fortress and ramparts. Igualada has grown since the 19th century, spurred on by the growth of the local textile industry and a new town has sprung up with fine houses and spacious streets. There is an interesting Baroque altarpiece in the parish church as well as some modernist buildings and industrial architecture.
In July, a large balloon festival is held in the town where over 40 hot air balloons take off over the town. The festival is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
Igualada is 40km from Barcelona on the N-11 highway and there is a RENFE station linking Igualada to Barcelona.

North and West of Igualada

The village of Jorba is 5km west of Igualada on the main N-11 road. Jorba has 550 inhabitants and the interesting Romanesque church of La Sala. Another 5km west of Jorba is the tiny village of Argencola with 163 inhabitants and the village of Montmaneu (200 inhabitants) which is situated on the other side of the N-11 highway. A smaller road, the C-1442 leads off the N-11 to the village of Copons (260 inhabitants) an old village with narrow streets and ancient arches that has retained its old characteristics and charm. Just off this road is another tiny village, Rubio, with 120 inhabitants. The fortified Gothic church is an excellent example of Gothic art with an interesting altarpiece. To the west of Copons are the villages of Veciana (1700 inhabitants) and Sant Marti Sesgueioles (400 inhabitants).

Further north along the C-1442 is the village of Els Prats De Rei with a population of 550. El Prats contains a Baroque church, old houses and the mediaeval tower of La Manresana. The C-1442 meets the larger C-25 road that runs towards Manresa and Barcelona at Calaf. This small town has a population of 3000. It is a characteristic place with a Renaissance church and an attractive arcaded square, ruined walls and stately buildings. A street market is held in the town each Saturday and the Santa Calamanda festival takes place in Calaf in February. Calaf is 15km from Igualada and 50km from Barcelona.

North of Calaf there are several more villages in the north of the Anoia region. Sant Pere Sallavinera has a population of less than 200, an ancient castle and the Romanesque church of Boixadors. To the east of Sant Pere, off the main roads, is the village of Calonge De Segarra with a population of 185, and to the east of that is Castellfollit De Riubregos (250 inhabitants). The extensive ruins of a castle and walled precinct can be found here, along with the Romanesque church of Santa Maria del Priorat.

Near La Pobla are the towns of Vallbona d’Anoia with a population of 1000, Els Hostalets De Pierola also with 1000 inhabitants and Piera with 7500 inhabitants. Also in this area is La Torre De Claramunt (2000 inhabitants) with its 17th century fortified castle palace.

Capellades
Built on a limestone terrace rich in water, Capellades is surrounded by woodlands and there are abundant natural springs in the area. The town of 5000 people was one of the most important paper-producing centres in Spain during the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a paper mill museum, the Museu Moli Paperer de Capellades in the town, housed in an old paper mill. Capellades is 10km from Igualada.

Masquefa
In the southeast of Anoia, Masquefa is a town of 6000 people. Located at an altitude of 256 metres, the town is backed by dramatic mountains. The main agricultural activity is producing grapes to be made into wine, there is also an industrial area in the town. A tram service operates in Masquefa. The town is 30km from Barcelona.

The main town in the southwest part of the Anoia is Santa Margarida De Montbui with a population of 9000, a ruined castle and notable pre-Romanesque and Romanesque church. There are beautiful views of the surrounding valleys of the Anoia from Santa Margarida.
The villages surrounding Santa Margarida include Carme (700 inhabitants), Orpi (150 inhabitants), Sant Marti De Tous (1000 inhabitants), Bellprat (100 inhabitants), Santa Maria De Miralles (100 inhabitants) and La Llacuna (900 inhabitants). All of these villages are situated away from the main roads of the area in the fertile valleys of the Anoia. At La Llacuna, there is a Gothic castle church and the old ruined castle of Vilademàger.