Girona

The Catalunya Sacra, or Sacred Catalonia trail, will lead you to the churches in the extreme west of the bishopric of Girona which, until the 20th century, reached as far as the Vall de Camprodon.
 
SANT CRISTÒFOL DE BEGET
 
The route starts with a visit to the church of Sant Cristòfol de Beget, a magnificent example of the Romanesque architecture of the Alta Garrotxa, with such characteristic features as the Lombard band, a decorative blind arcade. The church contains an outstanding polychrome Romanesque sculpture of Christ.
 
SANTA CECÍLIA DE MOLLÓ
 
A 30-minute drive from Beget will take you to Santa Cecília de Molló, a magnificent and austere Romanesque church, and an outstanding example of the Pyrenean architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries. It has a solemn five-storey clock tower, built against the north wall, that has decorative elements characteristic of the Lombard architecture that had been adopted in the region.
 
SANT PERE DE CAMPRODON
 
Camprodon is approximately 15 minutes away from Molló by car, and there you will find the Monastery of Sant Pere de Camprodon, founded by Count Guifré II of Besalú in the mid-10th century. Although all that remains of it is the beautiful and austere church it was, from the 11th to 15th centuries, an important monastery.
 
SANTA MARIA DE CAMPRODON
 
The church of Santa Maria de Camprodon is nearby. The church contains the casket of Sant Pal·ladi, a Gothic work of craftsmanship in precious metals, dating from the early part of the 14th century and used as a reliquary. It held the remains of the saint, the patron saint of Camprodon, and would have earlier been kept, and venerated, at the monastery.
 
 
The Sacred Catalonia trail is intended for groups and takes 6 hours. For more information please ring 693 720 202 or send an email to: reserves@cataloniasacra.cat.
 
 
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A family weekend full of lively activities in the Baix Empordà in a unique and spectacular natural setting. Go horse riding or mountain biking, visit the largest Iberian settlement in Catalonia, Ullastret, and spend the night in a country house!
 
EMPORDÀ BY BIKE

On the first day you could take a bicycle tour, starting at the Can Muní rural and equestrian guest house in the heart of the Empordà and, at midday, you could take the car to have lunch in the charming town of Peratallada.
 
THE IBERIAN SETTLEMENT OF ULLASTRET

In the late afternoon you could then visit the Iberian settlement of Ullastret, the largest Iberian settlement in Catalonia where you can see at first hand the impressive legacy bequeathed by these pre-Roman people whose history is for all to see in the lands they inhabited more than 2,000 years ago. Afterwards you can spend the night in Can Muní.
 
EXCURSIONS ON HORSEBACK

The next day, after breakfast, what about an excursion on horseback through the well-kempt countryside? If your children are very small they could take a horse-riding class at the equestrian centre itself instead of following the route. You could follow this with lunch at Can Muní and take a dip in the swimming pool before leaving!


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The monumental site of Sant Pere de Rodes is one of the most interesting places to learn about the medieval world in Catalonia. This place brings together three representative elements of the feudal society: those who pray, at the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes; those who produce, in the village of Santa Creu; and those who fight, in the Fortress of Verdera.
 
MONASTERY OF SANT PERE DE RODES
The Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is sure to surprise you. It is one of the most sophisticated examples of Catalan Romanesque architecture. Between the 11^th and 14^th centuries, this was the main spiritual centre of the County of Empúries, thanks to the important work of its abbots and the relics it housed, leading it to become an important centre of pilgrimage.
 
VILLAGE OF SANTA CREU
The small town of Santa Creu de Rodes is located very close to the Monastery of Sant Pere. There you can explore the remains of the Church of Santa Helena, the foundations of some twenty-five houses, a stone-paved square and the gates of the fortified walls. The primary activities of this village were trade and craft production, to meet the needs of the monastery.  
 
FORTRESS OF VERDERA
The Fortress of Verdera enabled the control over the security of the entire town. The Counts of Empúries gave the fortress to the monastery, yet they were determined to recover it, thanks to its strategic value. This led to constant confrontations with the abbots. The views over the Gulf of Roses, the Pyrenees Mountains, the massif of Cap de Creus, Roussillon and La Camarga are truly unique.
 
Make the experience complete by spending a night in a three-star hotel with a sampler menu and other activities! Find all the information you need here .
 
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From his birth to his death, from the lands of La Franja de Ponent to Mallorca. The life of James I takes us through many landscapes. We'll guide you through some of them so you too can feel like a king.

 

Montsó

The castle of Montsó was home to James I for three years: the Knights Templar built it when he was a child.

Sant Llorenç de la Muga i Bassegoda

The forts of Sant Llorenç de la Muga i Bassegoda were owned by the king, who purchased them in 1225. After his death, Sant Llorenç passed into the hands of the Rocabertí family.

Barcelona

In the Saló de Cent in Barcelona City Hall, you can find a sculpture of James I, crafted by Manel Fuxà.

Costa Daurada

The old military ports of Tarragona, Salou and Cambrils saw the Catalan squadron that set sail to conquer Mallorca. This was in 1229.

Monestirs del Cister

At the monastery of Vallbona de les Monges you can visit the tombs of the King's family: his wife, Violant d'Hongria, and his daughter Sança. To find the sepulchre of James I himself, you'll need to go to another monastery: the monastery of Poblet.

 

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