St. Sadurní is closely linked to cava production, the borough’s economy being almost completely dependent on this industry. St. Sadurní d’Anoia has almost 80 cava production cellars and as such is renowned as the capital of cava. 90% of all the cava produced in the country is produced in this town. The remaining 10% is basically produced in other towns of the region. Nowadays the main cava companies export worldwide with origin denomination.
St. Sadurní has its origins in the old parish church of St. Sadurní de Subirats, documented from around the year 1080. At the time it belonged to the University- Council- of Subirats. Its privileged location and its plain lands with plenty of water accelerated economic growth and the process towards municipal independence, which was finally achieved in 1764.
The land is watered by the River Anoia, from which the borough took its name. It is located in an area where the Penedès depression and the Prelitoral depression of Llobregat meet and as such is well connected. The district is made up of the main town - Monistrol d’Anoia, which was annexed in the 19th century - the districts of D’Espiells, La Prua and the rural houses of Can Codorniu and Can Catassús. The Preromanic Church of St. Benet d’Espiells (205m high) is located in the district of Espiells and has recently been restored. There is also the viniculture and enology school of Mercè Rossell i Domènech in Espiells.

COUNCIL OF SANT SADURNÍ D’ANOIA
Pl. Ajuntament, 1
Phone: 938 910 325
08770 Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
www.santsadurni.org

The town’s origins come from the old parish church of Sant Sadurní de Subirats, first documented in the year 1080. Its privileged location and its plain lands with plenty of water accelerated economic growth and the process towards municipal independence, which was finally achieved in 1764. It was then that the town was named Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, in reference to the river Anoia, which crosses the central part.

At that time vineyard cultivation and wine production were the town’s main activities. In the 18th century vineyard cultivation expanded due to the demand of the American market and the town lived its most glorious moment during the years 1860 to 1880 – in large part because the French vineyards had been totally destroyed by a Filoxera plague.
Unfortunately, the Filoxera plague spread to Sant Sadurní in 1887 and destroyed the vineyards and the town’s economy. The people of Sant Sadurní faced hard times as they became the main town fighting against the Filoxera plague in Catalonia. Farmers, lead by seven local owners, who were later called “the seven wise men of Greece” started the titanic task of replanting the vineyards, this time with American stocks, which were immune. That way, small-scale production of wine was fostered and nowadays Sant Sadurní is the absolute capital of cava. More than 80 production companies produce 90% of all Spanish cava and export all over the world with origin denomination.
The passing of time has also left a mark on the local architecture. A great example of this fact is the Preromanic Chapel of Sant Benet d’Espiells, dating from the 10th-11th centuries, located in Sant Sadurní. Other examples are the rectory and the Gothic bell tower of the church; the Carlin Tower from La Font del Mingo, from 1873; The Town Hall and the chapel from the old hospital. Aside from these the Caves Codorniu building is a fabulous example of Catalan modernism. All the above examples are considered Historical-Artistic National Monuments. The Caves Freixenent buildings are also Modernist and have an attractive wavy cornice decorated with colourful tiles. Modernism turned into a mixture of styles, to an eclectic movement which is manifested in Casa Lluís Mestres, Cal Rigol, Cal Calixtus, L’Ateneu Agrícola or Els Magatzems Santacana Roig. This historic centre has recently been pedestrianized and is nowadays the commercial centre of the town.
Finally, we need to mention the town’s traditional festivities and their symbology and peculiarity, such as the Filoxera Festivity, and many others such as The Cava Week and Cavataste.