Les Bernardes (Salt)

Les Bernardes is a historic building in Salt, a town right next to Girona in Catalonia, now serving as a contemporary culture center. Its story runs from a private family residence through a cloistered convent to a public cultural institution, making it one of the more layered heritage stops in the Girona area.

How do you get there?

Salt sits immediately on Girona's western edge, essentially forming an extension of the city, so reaching it from Girona's center takes only about ten to fifteen minutes by car or local bus. Travelers arriving at Girona-Costa Brava Airport can expect roughly a 15–20 minute drive to Salt. The building itself sits in an easily reachable part of town, so typing "Les Bernardes" into a phone map is enough to get you there without complications.

What's the history behind the building?

The structure was built in 1869 as the manor house of the Vilaseca Tarrés family, who at the time managed the estate of the Marquess of Camps. Its fortunes changed dramatically during the Spanish Civil War: between 1936 and 1939 it was requisitioned by municipal authorities and turned into an administrative headquarters, and after the war ended it was occupied by national troops until 1941.

A new chapter opened in 1944, when the bishopric purchased the property and converted it into a cloistered convent for the Bernardine nuns. The sisters lived there for more than three decades, until 1979, when they left as the growing town encroached on the quiet their contemplative life required.

What will you see today?

The building later passed to the Diputació de Girona (the provincial council), which restored it and gave it back to the public in a new role. In 1983, the Casa de Cultura Les Bernardes opened its doors, and the institution has since operated continuously as a hub for promoting contemporary culture in the region. Its program includes art exhibitions, author talks, thematic debates, and literary events aimed at both Salt residents and Girona visitors looking for something beyond the usual tourist circuit.

The building's own layout — a former manor turned convent, later a public institution — makes the region's layered history visible at a glance: nineteenth-century prosperity, the upheaval of civil war, decades of convent life, and today's cultural openness.

When should you visit?

Since Les Bernardes functions primarily as a venue for cultural events, the best time to go depends on the current exhibition and event calendar, with spring and autumn usually bringing the richest programming. In summer, when Girona and the Costa Brava draw large crowds, a visit to Salt offers a calmer alternative for experiencing local culture without the congestion typical of Girona's historic center.

Frequently asked questions

What is Les Bernardes used for today? It operates as a public center for contemporary culture, running exhibitions and educational programming inside a historic building in Salt.

Can you visit the building without attending a specific event? Yes, it functions as an open cultural institution, and its exhibition spaces are accessible during opening hours regardless of the special-event calendar.

How far is Salt from central Girona? Salt borders Girona directly, so the trip usually takes no more than 15–20 minutes by any mode of transport.

Was the building ever a convent? Yes, from 1944 to 1979 it housed a cloistered convent of Bernardine nuns before passing to the provincial council and being converted into a cultural center.