The Gardens of Cap Roig | Cultural Heritage. Goverment of Catalonia.
The Gardens of Cap Roig The dream of Dorothy Webster
In 1927, the exiled Tsarist Colonel, Nicolai Woevodsky and his wife Dorothy Webster, an English Aristocrat fond of decorating, were looking for a Mediterranean paradise in which to settle down. Close to Calella de Palafrugell, on a cliff above Cap Roig, they built a castle which would connect them to this spot for the rest of their lives (they even asked to be buried there). The building was surrounded by an idyllic botanical garden, considered one of the most important in the Mediterranean.

Nicolai himself designed the mansion in the neo-medieval style (imitating the Monastery of Poblet), construction of which began in 1931 and was completed in 1975. It was popularly known as "Cal Rus" (the Russian House) after the origins of its owner. However, the couple always lived at the property which gives access to the botanical gardens. This is the main legacy of Dorothy Webster. She and a team of gardeners from the region took charge of preparing the seven hectares of land in order to plant various species. In 1935 there were more than 500 species of Mediterranean, tropical and subtropical flora.

When the couple died, the estate passed to the Fundació Caixa Girona and then to the "la Caixa" Foundation, which turned the land into a sculpture park for contemporary artists with works by Jorge Oteiza, Jaume Plensa and Xavier Corberó. Every summer the gardens are home to a prestigious concert series: the Cap Roig Festival.

Plan your visit

What can I do?
During your visit to the botanical gardens, take a trip to the castle. There you will see some of the gothic and ancients elements used in the construction. You can also enjoy the spectacular views of the Cala d’en Massoni. This is where Dorothy Webster went to swim and sunbathe, which earned it the nickname "Banyera de la Russa" (the Russian bath).

Services
Event hire
Timetables

April to September, from 10 am to 8 pm.

October to March, from 10 am to 6 pm.
January and February, weekends from 10 am to 6 pm.
 
Closed from 4 pm onwards during the Festival.
Closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December, 1 and 6 January.
 
No entry is allowed less than 1 hour before closing.

 

Prices
General ticket: €7
 
Discounted ticket: €3
OAPs, TR3SC members, university students without Carnet Jove and groups of 15 people or more.
 
Free entry
Customers of CaixaBank, ICOM card holders, members of Amics dels Museus, children under 16, employees (up to 6 people), colleges and schools, Carnet Jove holders, Club Super3 members, journalists, teachers and university students with Carnet Jove.
 
Guided tours
Colleges: €25
General public (aged 16 and over): €2
CaixaBank customers: €1
 
Buy your ticket
Contact
Camí del Rus, s/n
17210 Calella de Palafrugell
​Palafrugell – Mont-ras
Tel. (+34) 972 61 45 82

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