In the second half of the XIX century, Catalan landscape painting acquired an importance and personality previously unknown to this genre. Among the landscape artists of the moment were Josep Armet and Josep Berga, however it was Joaquim Vayreda who became the foremost Catalan landscape painter. In his work, the landscape took centre stage.
Vayreda was the founder of the Olot School of countryside painting, a movement characterised by the taste for painting from nature and directly inspired by the works of the French artists of Barbizon School. Their canvases, which enjoyed wide exposure and considerable success, influenced numerous Catalan landscape painters.
The Museu de la Garrotxa has an extensive collection of paintings by the Olot School, and the Museu dels Sants has a collection centred on one of Olot's traditional industries: religious imagery. And it is Olot's saints' workshops that make virtually all the religious sculptures that are found around the world. The museum shows the whole process of making these pieces and allows you to see, first hand, the inside of a workshop (on week days).
Olot School
Routes and excursions TOP
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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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The Roman road
The Roman Road consists of two very different sections.
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Can Poeti bathing pool. Route 2 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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Falgars Castle route. Route 3 Beuda
Through this route we will climb to an ancient Roman castle that was of great strategic importance for the control of the territory.
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GR 2 - La Jonquera to Aiguafreda
This GR runs from La Jonquera to Aiguafreda through medieval towns and villages such as Besalú and Santa Pau, and natural protected areas including La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone and Montseny natural parks, and the Collsacabra, Savassona and Tavertet Cliffs.
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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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Sadernes - Puig de Bassegoda. Route 5 Consorci Alta Garrotxa
Very long route, demanding and very uneven by some of the most unique places of the Alta Garrotxa.
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The basalt cliff of Castellfollit de la Roca
Castellfollit de la Roca sits atop a basalt cliff formed by two overlapping lava flows. Along the route, you will be given an up-close view of a basalt cliff that is spectacular not only because of its height, but also the houses built right on its edge.
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Olot and its volcanoes
Rediscover nature in the heart of the city. The urban layout of Olot is set around one of the most famous volcanoes: Montsacopa.
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Vayreda’s Alta Garrotxa. Route 8 Garrotxa
Marian Vayreda’s novel La Punyalada provides one of the best ways of discovering the Alta Garrotxa. The places depicted by this 19th century author in the scenes from his famous novel have been joined in a discovery route.