From the 12th to the 14th centuries, the Occitan Cathars promoted a pure form of Christianity, simple and based on spirituality. But this attitude made them enemies of the Catholic church that had become authoritarian, corrupt and ostentatious. Therefore, they were persecuted and had to leave as exiles. Also called Good Men and Good Women, their escape was materialised in the Path of the Good Men (Camí dels Bons Homes in Catalan), a route that crossed the Pyrenees and was about two hundred kilometres long, joining the Sanctuary of Queralt, in Berga, and the Montsegur castle in the Ariège department. This route is the GR-107 and can be completed on foot, on horseback and most popularly, by mountain bike.
Through mediaeval villages, Romanesque churches and castles, the Path of the Good Men refers to history, by also to natural spaces such as the Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró. In the south of France, for centuries, a religious belief spread based on austerity that did not believe in the Old Testament and rejected, among other things, the feudal system. The Cathars were persecuted and considered heretics due to their beliefs. One of the last points of resistance was the castle of Montsegur, and when it fell, many escaped to different villages such as Berga, Bagà, Gósol or Josa del Cadí.
The Path of the Good Men is an initiative that arose in 1995 and has achieved wide international repercussion. Among the different points of interest if the route, we can mention Bagà, which records the mysteries and legends of the medieval time, thanks to its old centre, the arcaded square and the Palace of Pinós, which has a permanent exhibition about Catharism. This town is also one of the entrance points to Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park and in its surrounding area, where there are small marvels such as the monastery of Sant Llorenç, Guardiola de Berguedà, or Santa Maria de Lillet, in La Pobla de Lillet.
Other places of interest
Hiking
MTB routes
OFICINA DE TURISME DEL BERGUEDÀ
Carretera C16 Km 96
08600-Berga. Phone (+34) 654 125 696
Monday to Friday: 9 to 14h.
Saturday: 10 to 14 & 16 to 18h.
Sunday and holidays: 10 to 14h.
E-mail: turisme@elbergueda.cat
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