The municipality is located on the riera, or stream, of Merlès, from which the town takes its name.

Although the municipality lies within the natural region of Lluçanès, it voted in 2015 not to join a proposed new comarca of that name, but the plan was put on hold due to insufficient support.

A popular legend offers an explanation for the reconstruction of the Church of Sta.

He killed the head of the Vilaltas in the church and, as a result, the building had to be torn down and rebuilt on the other side of the main road.

Later, the patriarch of the Cortadas felt remorse for what he had done, and as penitence erected a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene on his property, beside the main road.