5 ITINERARIES FOR EXPLORING PAPER ROUTES
PAPER ROUTES
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, Capellades and its environs constituted one of the most important centres for paper making in Spain. It specialized in top quality deckleedged paper and in cigarette papers. Manufacturers such as Romaní, Soteras, Guarro, Serra or Romeu, among others, supplied much of the Spanish, South American and Philippine market.
Along the basin of the River Anoia evidence exists of more than 40 paper mills. To this day, paper has been one of the main motors of the area’s economy. Whole families worked in the mills; either slashing rags into strips, forming sheets of paper, preparing glue for the sizing process, hanging up sheets to dry or packing the reams of the finished product. Many generations have worked, day by day, making quality paper here.
We would like to suggest some paper related local sights you might like to visit. In this area, an industrial landscape unfolds along the River Anoia, its tributaries, channels, locksand mills.
Through five itineraries, leaving from Capellades, we invite you to discover our Paper Routes.
Discover the Paper Routes
RECOMENDATIONS
WALK
PROPERLY
SHOES
The footwear must be with flexible soles, the right size and you have to change shoes once a year. This will help prevent possible injuries to the feet and legs.
POSITION
A good posture allows you to breathe well and keep the body line. Chin up, parallel to the ground and eyes looking about 3 meters ahead.
EQUIPMENT
Dress in layers of breathable clothing. During the day is very important to wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun. And tonight is important to wear eye-catching.
WATER
We recommend drinking water before, during and after. A glass of water 10 minutes before the start, one every 20 minutes and after one or two more glasses.
GASTRONOMY
DISCOVER
PAPER MAKER’S RICE
Sometimes, oral history offers us gastronomic pearls; papermaker’s rice is one of them. We learned about this dish, in 2008, from a story told by Montserrat Miquel (a descendent of the founding family of the still extant Miquel i Costas Paper Company) which was forwarded to us at the Capellades Paper Mill Museum.
“Arros Paperer” (Paper Maker’s Rice) is a stew that was made in the old factories with meat and rice, seasoned with local wine and other locally grown products such as onions, tomatoes and the crucial ingredient: bay leaves from trees growing along the banks of the river. It was a very nutritious dish that helped the workers through the harsh conditions in the early papermills.
