Girona

The prose off Josep Pla, the surrealism of Salvador Dalí and the genius of Narcís Monturiol come from L'Empordà. We invite you to rediscover the Romanesque key of the land of these great figures. We will travel from south to north, accompanied by another distinctive trait of this area: the north wind!

HERITAGE TO PICK AND CHOOSE

The Costa Brava has much more than just sun and sand: the monastery of Sant Feliu de Guíxols is one of the best examples of this Romanesque heritage. Standing in front, the Porta Ferrada is the facade of an ancient pre-Romanesque building that has given name to the oldest music, theatre and dance festival in Catalonia.

In Santa Cristina d’Aro the Romanesque style of the churches of Bell-lloc d’Aro and Sant Martí de Romanyà makes a great combination with the original offer of the Casa Màgica (House of Magic), a museum dedicated to conjuring and magic. Once in La Bisbal, you can admire the civil Romanesque style of the castle and the Terracotta Museu (Terracotta Museum).

Much more in the Romanesque style awaits you, though before continuing we recommend you to visit the Iberian settlement of Ullastret. In Palau-Sator you get back on track with the Romanesque paintings of the church of Sant Pau of Fontclara.

ON THE TRAIL OF GENIUSES

You continue northward to find the ancient Greek colony of Rhode, Roses in Catalan: in the Citadel we find the Lombard style central apse of the monastery of Santa Maria.

Right by Figueres the schubertíades have taken root. They are musical events inspired by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert. Vilabretran welcomes them every summer, though any moment is perfect for exploring the Romanesque monastery of Santa Maria. Not very far from Rabós you also find spirituality: the monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera shows a sober and robust Romanesque style amongst a land of dolmens and menhirs.

Finally, we must return to the coast. The monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes was looted by pirates, visited by pilgrims and made beautiful by one of the most mysterious sculptors of the Romanesque era, the Master of Cabestany. For this and much more it is an indispensable example of the Romanesque style. Don't miss out on the fantastic capitals! 


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The Romanesque art of the interior of Girona is found amongst large green spaces: between Montseny and Montnegre we discover the monastery of Sant Salvador, the area in which the village of Breda developed. Amongst the Romanesque details, the 12th century bell tower is noteworthy.

Once in Santa Coloma de Farners, we recommend you to stop at the church of Sant Pere Cercada. The Romanesque Farners castle and the emblematic mountains around it also deserve a visit: the Turó del Vent, the Turó de Farners and the Roqueteres.

MEDIEVAL GIRONA

You immediately notice the medieval flavour of Girona. The Gothic style Cathedral still maintains Romanesque vestiges such as the tower of Carlemany and the cloister. It is also home to two of the most significant Romanesque objects: the Tapestry of Creation and the Beatus of Girona.

In the monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, beyond studying all of the defining Romanesque elements, you can visit the Girona site of the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya (Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia). Before leaving the city you must visit the celebrated Arab Baths, a Romanesque locale inspired by the facilities used by the Muslim, or make a trip to the Devesa, the largest urban park in Catalonia.

HERITAGE AMONGST VOLCANOES

The first Benedictine monastery founded in Spain is located in Banyoles. The monastery of Sant Esteve is our destination, where today the Neoclassic style prevails over its Romanesque origins.

Besalú is an excellent example of a medieval village; it is impossible to leave without visiting the most emblematic of its elements: the Old Bridge over the Fluvià river.

The last part of the route passes through rough, broken and difficult terrain: this defines the Garrotxa. However the natural beauty of this area and its patrimonial richness make up for the hard journey. Around Olot, the volcanoes and the floral life of Fageda d’en Jordà... and the only hermitage situated inside a crater: that of Santa Margarida.


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We suggest you to begin the journey at the final resting place of such illustrious characters as Guifré el Pilós, Ramon Berenguer III, Ramon Berenguer IV and Bernat Tallaferro. We are speaking of the monastery of Sant Maria de Ripoll: it is an emblematic monument of the Romanesque style consecrated in 888. Taking time to view the sculptures of its magnificent portico is essential!

BERGUEDÀ: BETWEERN ART AND INDUSTRY

In Sant Jaume de Frontanyà you will find a survivor of the Romanesque: its monastery. Of the original building only the church, three apses and transept remain. Observe its 12-sided dome, unique in all of the Catalan Romanesque style.

Art and work define the Berguedà. In Cercs you can visit the pre-Romanesque church of Pedret after passing over the Gothic bridge that provides access. Don’t forget the town's most recent history, explored in greater depth in the Museu de les Mines de Cercs (Museum of the Cercs Mines). To the north is Guardiola de Berguedà, also a mining region and also with a Romanesque treasure: The (restored) monastery of Sant Llorenç next to Bagà.

Before leaving the county we suggest you to make two more stops. The first visit is to the heritage of Pobla de Lillet, where the church houses a 12th century Christ. However, if you prefer to be outdoors you can pass through the Gardens of Can Artigas, designed by Antoni Gaudí, and the Romanesque Old Bridge.

The journey continues following the river Llobregat to Castellar de n’Hug that also shows you its two sides: the Romanesque of the churches of Sant Maria and that of Sant Vicenç de Rus, and the industrial side in the Asland Cement Factory.

PATH OF THE CANIGÓ MOUNTAIN

In Bellver de Cerdanya you mustn't miss the bell tower of Sant Eugènia de Nerellà. Its peculiarity is that it is strongly inclined towards the southeast. That is why it is known as the 'Tower of Pisa of la Cerdanya'! However, much before the arrival of the Romanesque, this area had artistic marvels such as the cave paintings of the Ingla Valley Shelter and the remains in the Cova d’Anes.

Guils de Cerdanya is our penultimate stop. The Romanesque style of Sant Esteve de Guils and its ornamentation with animal motifs will surprise you... and finally, we give you a good reason to enter the Conflent: at the very foot of the Canigó mountain is the abbey of Sant Miquel de Cuixà. Did you know that its capitals are currently found in New York?


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