The villages are a testimony of time, and there are very good examples in La Garrotxa, with permission of the earthquakes that hit the region over the years 1427 and 1428. From medieval to contemporary, through the Jewish legacy, the Renaissance and Art Nouveau, the villages of the Garrotxa have a story you need to know, a past that has left witnesses first order.
We begin this medieval route in Sant Joan les Fonts and one of the first places we recommend you visit is the church of the old Benedictine monastery. To reserve a visit, please call: 972 29 05 07. Declared a National Monument, this monastery boasts three naves and porch covered by a late atrium. Also of note are the Romanesque baptismal font decorated with bas relief and a carved Christ-figure, the original of which is kept in the Diocesan Museum in Girona.
Dating from the same era is the medieval bridge that joins the old part of Sant Joan and the parish church to the Castanyer quarter. Built from volcanic rock, the bridge over the river Fluvià consists of a single large arch with two smaller lateral arches. Nearby we find the oldest Romanesque civil building in Catalonia, the castle of Juvinyà, a fortified manor house that was declared a Monument of National Interest in 1972. In recent years the building has been completely restored and now that has been converted into the Sant Joan les Fonts Territorial Interpretation Centre.
The whole of the village of Santa Pau merits special attention. The historical centre is presided over by El Castell de la Baronia (the Baron’s castle), which is mentioned in documents from the 13th century onwards. Square in shape, this building today consists of a central courtyard and adjoining quarters that is the result of additions made between the 13th and 15th centuries. To the south we find the triangular-shaped Plaça Major, once known as the Firal dels Bous (the ‘oxen fairground’) since it was used as a marketplace and fairground. This medieval square, which has remained practically unchanged since the first decades of the 14th century, is one of the best conserved such squares in Catalonia.
Besalú, the third stop on this medieval route, is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Catalonia and boasts religious and civil buildings (for example, the monastery of Sant Pere) of great interest. Founded in 977 and consecrated highly original window adorned with the figures of two lions, symbols of the power and the protection provided by the church, which stand, respectively, on a monkey and a naked man, representations of evil and paganism.
In the same square as Sant Pere is Casa Comella, thought to be one of the best conserved Romanesque civil buildings in Catalonia. Behind Sant Pere stands the Hospital de Sant Julià (in fact, a
hostel for travellers) with a 12th century façade, while a little further away are the Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç, with transitional elements between the Romanesque and Gothic, the Cúria Real and the Collegiate church of Santa Maria, two further examples of the wonderful cultural herit- in 1003, the façade of Sant Pere is renowned for a age of Besalú. The Pont Vell (old bridge), dating from the 11th century and reconstructed a number of times over the centuries, is 105 m long and 30 m high; as the main gate into Besalú it is the true symbol of this marvellous medieval town.
Nevertheless, visitors should not leave Besalú without having first visited the mikvah and synagogue. Discovered in 1964, the former is the only example of Jewish purification baths to have been found in Iberian Peninsule and only the third of the ten ever found in Europe. The ongoing archaeological digs in Besalú are continuingly throwing up new surprises in this beautiful town.
Medieval towns
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Routes and excursions TOP
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GR 83 - Camí del Nord o del Canigó
This route provides links Mataró and Prada de Conflent and the peak of El Canigó. It runs through attractive landscapes in El Montseny, Les Guilleries and La Garrotxa, and includes sections involving considerable climbs once it reaches the Pyrenees.
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Sant Feliu de Pallerols, Sant Marc and Puig Roig volcanoes. Natural Park route 22
Short itinerary that gives us the possibility of knowing the two volcanoes closest to Sant Feliu de Pallerols and at the same time further away from the central core of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa.
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On the trail of the Remences
The revolt of the Remences – a peasant uprising against their lords and the abusive mals usos (feudal obligations) - took place in La Garrotxa during the second half of the 15th century.
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Sant Iscle and Vallac valeys: volcanoes and castles. Natural Park route 19
This route allows you to discover one of the least known but most interesting areas of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, walking between forests and farmhouses.
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A climb up to Santa Magdalena de Montpalau. Route 1 Sant Jaume de Llierca
An easy route for the whole family that will take us to know the old fortress of the Montpalau.
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The weir route. Ruta 3 Sant Jaume de Llierca
This route is known as the Camí de la Central because in the past there was a small electrical generating station here. On the way back from the weir you pass through a well-preserved section of riparian woodland with interesting associated flora.
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Santa Margarida bathing pool. Route 5 Les Planes d'Hostoles
Les Planes d’Hostoles is well known for its natural bathing pools that have been used in numerous films and adverts. This is one of four suggestions.
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The charcoal makers route. Route 2 Mieres
This route follows some of the old paths and trails used to bring wood charcoal down from the Serra de Finestres. The path that passes by Font Ricard is an attractive mule trail that connects the hamlet of Ruïtlles to the church of El Freixe.
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The Romanesque churches of La Vall de Bianya
The traces of the history of La Vall de Bianya can be followed in this itinerary that visits the 15 Romanesque churches that decorate this peaceful corner of La Garrotxa.
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The Romanesque churches of Maià de Montcal and Beuda
Maià de Montcal and Beuda are both good examples of La Garrotxa’s valuable cultural heritage and their wonderful Romanesque churches are the perfect excuse to visit this part of La Garrotxa.