In La Garrotxa there is an exceptional sample of the architectural legacy of the Middle Ages. Of all the places where this rich heritage is preserved, two generally stand out from all the rest: Besalú and Santa Pau.
The Royal Cúrial, the old Palace of Justice seat of the Vegueria and Royal Court; the old Monastery of Sant Pere, one of the most characteristic Romanesque temples in the country; Sant Vicenç, an example of the Romanesque harmony between construction and rustic surroundings; and the Old Bridge, fortified and angled, these are some of Besalú's most important Romanesque structures.
Santa Pau is La Garrotxa's other highlight from the Middle Ages. The castle, which is not open to the public, presides over the village, perfectly sealed and enclosed by an ancient wall. With its irregular shape and almost completely arcaded, the village's main square, overlooked by Santa Maria church, is not to be missed. The narrow and steep alleyways, the large windows, gateways and arches are Santa Pau's real attraction.
La Garrotxa's most notable monasteries are Sant Pere de Besalú, Sant Llorenç de Sous, Riudaura, Sant Ferriol and Sant Joan les Fonts, where the medieval castle Estada Juvinyà, a Romanesque building that houses the Territorial Interpretation Centre, is also located.
La Garrotxa has a large concentration of Romanesque churches, especially in the Alta Garrotxa and the Besalú area. The earthquakes of 1427 and 1433 severely affected the Olot area, destroying many buildings. Sant Joan de Balbs, situated at La Pinya, is a jewel; Santa Bàrbara de Pruneres preserves a splendid sepulchral gravestone; Santa Maria d'Escales perches on a cliff; Sant Martí de Toralles; Sant Miquel del Corb, beside the forest; Sant Andreu de Socarrats; Santa Eulàlia de Begudà and, finally, the basilica of Sant Sepulcre de Palera.
Beget, in Ripollès county, is the architectural jewel of La Garrotxa. Sant Cristòfol church is an example of Romanesque design in its purest form and it is among the most interesting in Catalonia. Unlike other places of worship, it has preserved its heritage which, as well as the Romanesque Majesty of Beget carving, consists of a Gothic altarpiece, an interesting baptism font and several Baroque altars.
A visit to La Garrotxa brings you into contact with this art that is as old as it is interesting, and harks back to Christianity's most austere period.
One of the most notable events in La Garrotxa's history was enacted by Francesc de Verntallat, who led the Remences uprising, a revolt of the peasantry against their feudal lords. The Remences were peasants that were unable to abandon their land. This was because they could not free themselves from the landlords' control or stop being subject to the abuses imposed on them (abusive feudal customs that led to the Remences War between 1460 and 1486) without paying an amount set by the lord, or face harsh punishment. Verntallat took up the struggle and ended up securing, through an agreement known as La Sentència Arbitral de Guadalupe, the abolition of the tax and the feudal abuses and injustices. Francesc de Verntallat came from La Vall d'en Bas, and this valley and that of Hostoles were the main stages of the peasants' revolt against the unfair system.
Nowadays, these valleys still preserve some remnants of that period, such as Hostoles castle and Puig-alder castle, and these can be visited via several routes.
With regard to sculpture, the most important work is Crist en Majestat, which is in Sant Joan les Fonts monastery. This piece - a reproduction, since the original is kept in Girona's Museu Diocesà - can be seen by arranging a visit through the Tourist Office.
Romanesque
Routes and excursions TOP
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Grau d'Escales route. Route 2 Montagut i Oix
Grau d'Escales is a relatively easy pass (grau = ‘pass’ and escala = ‘step’ in Catalan) between two abrupt cliffs from where there are good views of the Salt dels Lliberals (Liberal’s Leap).
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The core area of the Natural Park
This route explores the village of Santa Pau, blessed with a rich heritage – part of which is included on other routes – that stretches back to medieval times and the Remences peasant’s revolt and up to the 19th century Carline Wars.
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Sant Pere Sacosta. Route 1 Les Planes d'Hostoles
The parish of Sant Pere Sacosta has the privilege of being one of the oldest and most remote inhabited villages of la Vall de Hostoles. Located on the slopes of la Serra del Puig del Moro, on the north ridge of el Far and below el Coll de Condreu.
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Volcanoes and historic centre of Sant Feliu de Pallerols
In the south of La Garrotxa, right in the heart of the Hostoles valley, is the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols. The Brugent river, an affluent of the Ter, divides the area from where more than fifty springs flow.
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Keeping cool in La Garrotxa
The intense summer heat is an incentive to search for places to cool off, places where you can rest and at the same time get to know some of the other delights of La Garrotxa.
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RCR Arquitectes Route
A team of architects, RCR, has placed La Garrotxa at the forefront of architecture. Their unique skill of marrying the landscape and architecture has been rewarded by many different awards, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize (2017).
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Sant Miquel del Mont, a viewpoint over la Vall de Bianya. Ruta 5 Vall dels sentits
A circular walk that provides spectacular views of L’Alta Garrotxa and the Pyrenees as it passes through woods of ancient oaks.
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Bathing pool route. Route 3 Santa Pau
This route takes you to some of the little-known bathing pools around Santa Pau. This walk also links to the route that visits some of the local natural springs.
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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.