Laberint Màgic

Laberint Màgic — also known as Rocaviva — is an unusual open-air sculpture site in the municipality of el Pont de Bar, in the province of Lleida, Catalonia. Spread across roughly 10 hectares of forest between el Pont de Bar (Alt Urgell) and Lles de Cerdanya (Baixa Cerdanya), it holds close to 600 stone sculptures carved directly into the rocks and boulders scattered through the woodland.

What is Rocaviva – Laberint Màgic?

The site was created by Catalan artist Climent Olm, a native of Músser in the Cerdanya region. He began working the stone in 1986 and spent twenty years, until 2006, single-handedly carving one sculpture after another while also laying out the paths connecting them. The result is a sprawling "magic labyrinth" that fuses art with the surrounding mountain and forest landscape. In 2010, Rocaviva was formally recognised as part of the region's cultural heritage.

Recurring motifs among the carvings include open hands, faces with strongly marked eyes, and mandalas — symbolic patterns rooted in Buddhist and Hindu tradition, associated with meditation and inner balance. The whole project was conceived as a space for slowing down, connecting with nature, and quiet reflection, rather than as a conventional attraction with visitor infrastructure and ticket booths.

How do you get to Laberint Màgic?

El Pont de Bar sits in the Pyrenees, in Lleida province, on the road linking the Cerdanya valley with Alt Urgell. Driving is by far the most practical option — from La Seu d'Urgell or Puigcerdà the journey usually takes a little over half an hour, depending on the season and road conditions. The sculptures themselves are spread through forest land between el Pont de Bar and Lles de Cerdanya, so it is worth confirming the exact starting point of the walking route in advance.

What will you see there?

A visit means walking among trees and rock outcrops where carved stone forms seem to emerge naturally from the landscape. There is no single centrepiece or main sculpture — instead, the site works as a network of small discoveries scattered across the terrain, revealing themselves gradually as you walk. The pieces vary in scale and style, but share a raw, meditative quality and a strict use of the natural rock already present on site, with no material brought in from outside.

When to visit and how does it work?

The site was temporarily closed to visitors between 2013 and 2017, but Rocaviva has been active again for several years now and welcomes guests. A visit requires advance booking — this is not a free-access space but an organised visit, usually in small groups, which helps preserve its calm character. Spring, summer, and early autumn are the best times to go, when the mountain paths are dry and easy to walk; in winter, access and the forest walk itself can be harder due to Pyrenean weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Are Laberint Màgic and Rocaviva the same place? Yes. Rocaviva is the site's proper name, while "Laberint Màgic" (magic labyrinth) is the popular name under which it's more widely known to visitors.

Who created the sculptures? All the stone sculptures were carved single-handedly by artist Climent Olm between 1986 and 2006, and he also designed the layout of the paths connecting them.

Do you need to book in advance? Yes, visits are by prior reservation only, which helps control visitor numbers and preserve the site's quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

How many sculptures does Rocaviva have? The roughly 10-hectare site contains close to 600 sculptures carved into the natural rocks and boulders found on the land.