El Molí Nou

El Molí Nou is a historic water mill turned country residence, located in the municipality of Castellterçol, in the Moianès region of Catalonia. The building sits along the Fontscalents stream and belongs to a chain of old mills that once powered the local economy of this rural corner of the region.

What was this mill originally used for?

Records dating back to 1752 show the mill belonged to Francesc Oller and stood within the la Ginebreda estate. Before that, it was known as molí de l'Abat — the Abbot's Mill — a name suggesting an earlier connection to a local church institution. El Molí Nou was one of several flour mills built along the bed of the Fontscalents stream, all of which ran at full capacity during the pre-industrial era, grinding grain for surrounding farms.

As flour milling became mechanized, the mills along this stretch of the stream gradually shut down one by one. El Molí Nou outlasted the rest — it kept operating until 1962, when floods damaged the water intake and flooded the building itself. Milling never resumed after that, and the structure was eventually converted into a private home, or masia.

What will you see on site?

The building has an unusual polyhedral floor plan, made up of a semi-basement level set into the slope and a ground floor above — a layout typical of structures designed to harness the natural drop in terrain to drive the mill wheels. Although El Molí Nou now serves as a private residence, its architecture still carries visible traces of its industrial past.

Right along the same stream, you'll find other historic properties worth noting: Molí Xic, Mas St. Jaume, and Les Comes. Together they make this stretch of countryside appealing to anyone tracing the old mill route through Moianès. It's also worth stopping by the nearby Poua del Molí Nou, an old ice well that recalls a time when this region played a notable role in the ice trade, long before mechanical refrigeration existed.

How to get there and when to visit?

El Molí Nou lies in the rural outskirts of Castellterçol, within the Moianès comarca in the province of Barcelona. The area draws hikers and cyclists looking for quiet, uncrowded routes through rolling hills and valleys. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when temperatures are mild and the vegetation along the Fontscalents stream is at its greenest. Since the building is now privately owned, visits are usually limited to viewing the exterior from the surrounding mill trail.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside El Molí Nou? No — the building functions as a private residence (masia), so visits are limited to viewing the exterior from nearby trails.

How old is the mill? Written records go back to 1752, though its earlier name, molí de l'Abat, points to even older origins.

Why did the mill stop working? Floods in 1962 damaged the water intake and flooded the building; milling never resumed afterward.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Along the Fontscalents stream you'll also find other historic mills, such as Molí Xic, and the Poua del Molí Nou ice well — together forming an interesting trail of industrial heritage in the Moianès region.