{"id":23988,"date":"2022-06-19T21:35:13","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T19:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/besalu\/"},"modified":"2023-10-16T09:57:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T07:57:22","slug":"besalu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/besalu\/","title":{"rendered":"Besal\u00fa, a trip to medieval times"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Besal\u00fa<\/strong> is a town in the province of Girona<\/a> located between three regions: l\u2019Alt Empord\u00e0, el Pla de l\u2019Estany, and La Garrotxa<\/strong>. It is crossed by the Capellada River to the north and the Fluvi\u00e0 River to the south. Its medieval architecture<\/strong> stands out, dating back to the reign of Guifr\u00e9 el Pel\u00f3s in the late 9th century when Besal\u00fa became an independent county that eventually became one of the most important in Catalonia.<\/p>

Its territory extended from the valleys of Camprodon to Banyoles and Figueres, connecting agricultural and commercial lands with pastures. Currently, the primary economic activity is industry and tourism.<\/p>

What to See<\/h2>

Learning about the history of the town of Besal\u00fa invites you to visit and witness an era that has left a lasting impact not only on this municipality but also on many other towns across the country.
\"\"
The medieval style that characterizes Besal\u00fa makes it unique and special.<\/p>

\"\"
A significant starting point for your visit is the bridge<\/strong> that crosses the Fluvi\u00e0 River. It is a majestic stone bridge with eight arches. Built in the Romanesque<\/strong> style in the 12th – 14th centuries, it provided access to the fortifications of the county villa<\/strong>. It is classified as a national cultural heritage.<\/p>

\"\"
Upon entering the town, you will notice the medieval style of the municipality<\/strong> as you stroll through its cobbled streets<\/strong> and see the monuments<\/strong>, especially in the old town of Besal\u00fa. These monuments add great value and importance to the entire municipality, making it one of the best medieval showcases in all of Catalonia.<\/p>

Continuing down the Old Bridge Street, you will come to a fork:<\/p>

\"\"
To the right is Maestro Abraham des Catllar Street. You might be intrigued by the iron chairs<\/strong> embedded in the stairs or hanging on the facades of buildings. These are sculptures<\/strong> created during an international meeting of young artists in Besal\u00fa in 1994. Some of the works created during this event became integrated into the landscape of Besal\u00fa.<\/p>

\"\"
You can continue to Rocafort Street, where you will find the Rocafort Gate<\/strong>, the ancient entrance to Besal\u00fa, where the 12-meter wall that surrounded the town along the river began. It is believed that its current appearance dates back to a 14th-century renovation, although it was originally built in the 11th century.<\/p>

\"\"
Right at the corner of the wall, you can climb to the bulwark of the wall, to the Mirador de Besal\u00fa<\/strong>, from where you can enjoy views of the lands that were part of the medieval county and see the entire layout of the town.<\/p>

Going back, you can look for an old well in the same street. Take a detour to For\u00e7a Street to see the arch of the Portal de la For\u00e7a<\/strong>. It provided access to the Portal de la For\u00e7a, the Visigothic fortified area, which was opened during the wall’s reconstruction when the castle was built.<\/p>

\"\"
To the left, if you don’t take the fork, is the Jewish Quarter<\/strong>. This is the Jewish Call where this community settled before being expelled in the 15th century.<\/p>

\"\"
There you will find the Placeta de los jud\u00edos<\/strong>, where the ancient Medieval Synagogue<\/strong> and the Jewish baths<\/strong> with a Micv\u00e9<\/em>. The remains are very well preserved, and medieval-era documentation was also found. The ensemble is protected as a National Cultural Heritage<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>

\"\"Down by the Fluvi\u00e0 River, you will find the Portalet Wall<\/strong>, a gate that closes off the walled enclosure.<\/p>

\"\"
In both cases, continue along the Main Street to the Main Square or Liberty Square<\/strong>, the central square of the town, with vaults, where the Town Hall<\/strong> is located.<\/p>

\"\"
Continue straight to the end of the street, then turn right to find the Church-Hospital of Sant Juli\u00e0<\/strong>, dating back to the 12th century. It was built by the counts of Besal\u00fa to care for pilgrims.<\/p>

Continuing along Font Street, which follows a circular path, you will come across the Flour Mill<\/strong> d\u2019en Subir\u00f3s<\/strong>. Built in 977 by the same count for the benefit of the Monastery, it was used to grind grain using the hydraulic power of water.<\/p>

Next, you will reach Prat de Sant Pere Square<\/strong>, where the Monastery of Sant Pere de Besal\u00fa<\/strong> is located, with Romanesque architecture and a Gothic bell tower.<\/p>

\"\"
Continuing forward, you will pass by Cornell\u00e0 House<\/strong> or Llaudes House<\/strong>, one of the best-preserved Romanesque buildings in Catalonia. It was modified after its construction but still retains its oldest elements from the 12th century. It was built by one of the wealthiest families in Besal\u00fa, the Cornell\u00e0 family. When it was purchased by the Llaudes family in 1476, they gave the house its current name. The building is part of the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.<\/p>

There are still more religious buildings to see, one of them being the Church of Sant Vicent de Besal\u00fa<\/strong>, a little further up. It is a construction that combines Romanesque style with elements transitioning to Gothic. It was the former parish church of the town and houses the Gothic tomb of Pere de Rovira, who brought the relics of San Vicente to Besal\u00fa in 1413.<\/p>

\"\"
The other one is the Church of <\/strong>Santa Maria de Besal\u00fa<\/strong>, of which only a part of the apse remains. Originally, it was a simple chapel that became the seat of an Augustinian community in 1137, and it was also rebuilt as the castle church. Its bell tower was destroyed in 1938 during the Civil War.<\/span><\/p>

The Castle of Besal\u00fa<\/strong> dates back to the 10th century and was built on the hill that holds remains of Santa Maria from the Middle Ages. The construction of different buildings allows visitors to imagine and place themselves in that era.<\/p>

The foundations of the Round Tower<\/strong> are still preserved, built during the 11th century, as part of the castle’s defensive system.<\/p>

A little further on is the Lardera Tower<\/strong>, about 9 meters in diameter, built using stone blocks. Its name appears in a document dated 1075.<\/p>

\"\"
Across the street is the Medieval House<\/strong>, an archaeological discovery of the ruins of a medieval dwelling where remains of ceramics, Roman tiles, fishing hooks, loom weights, and remnants of an iron lock were found.<\/p>

\"\"
On the other side of the road, around a picnic area, you will find the Church of Sant Mart\u00ed de Capellada<\/strong>. It is a chapel from the 11th-17th centuries, featuring Romanesque architecture. It has a rectangular plan, an apse, and a bell tower, with a semi-circular arched entrance.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

What to Do<\/h2>

In the town, there are numerous shops where you can buy gifts, souvenirs, or typical products.
\"\"
Especially if you’re visiting with family, it might be a good idea to take the tourist train<\/a> <\/strong>that travels through the cobbled streets and major medieval attractions. There is an urban route<\/strong> that runs every hour, free for children under 5, and a Romanesque route<\/strong> lasting 2 hours.<\/p>

\"\"
In Prat de Sant Pere Square, the same as the Monastery, you’ll find Circusland<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a museum dedicated to the circus that was previously the Museum of Miniatures and Microminiatures of Besal\u00fa<\/em>. You can also purchase a combined ticket with the train.<\/p>

Finally, Besal\u00fa is known for its natural surroundings and agricultural lands. It features a green belt<\/strong>, and you can enjoy healthy walks along the banks of the Fluvi\u00e0 River<\/strong>. There are also some trails<\/strong> that were once used to reach neighboring villages. Moreover, it’s close to the Natural Park of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

Gastronomy<\/h2>

The cuisine of La Garrotxa is rich in flavors and is characterized by the use of local ingredients in a region known for its volcanic terrain, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil. It primarily features dryland crops and forests.<\/p>

As a result, it includes elements of mountain cuisine<\/strong>, such as mushrooms, snails, spices, and the use of grains. Notable legumes include fesols de Santa Pau<\/strong> and farro or farinetas<\/strong> de fajol. High-quality cured meats<\/strong> are also produced, with the butifarra and ham from Olot and Castellfollit being famous. In some bakeries, you can find Tortell entorxat <\/em>d’Olot.<\/p>

\"\"
Fesols – Restaurant C\u00faria Reial<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The quintessential traditional beverage is Ratafia<\/strong>, a liqueur made with walnuts and brandy, typical of the Catalan Pyrenees and especially the Garrotxa.<\/p>

<\/sup>Where to Eat<\/h2>

Besal\u00fa is a great place to enjoy a meal, given the abundance of restaurants, taverns, caf\u00e9s, and terraces it offers.<\/p>

They mainly serve traditional Catalan, Mediterranean<\/strong>, and locally sourced cuisine: grilled meats, roasts, local sausages, various salads, and grilled fish, among other options. But you can find choices to suit all tastes and needs: pizzerias, brasseries, buffets, and celebration menus.<\/p>

You can check out the restaurants in Besal\u00fa on Guiacat<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

Where to Stay<\/h2>

In a village dedicated to tourism like Besal\u00fa, the accommodation options<\/strong> are plentiful and diverse. Within the walls, you can find a large number of hotels and apartments.<\/p>

Outside the village and throughout the Garrotxa region, you’ll find many rural houses<\/strong>, rural hotels, and rural apartments ideal for various outdoor activities<\/em>, such as walks or routes. They offer different features like swimming pools, fireplaces, or jacuzzis. In terms of location, they can be near the river, in the surroundings of the Fluvi\u00e0 River, or in the mountains, like the Natural Park of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone.<\/p>

You can find all rural accommodations in Garrotxa on Guiacat<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>

Local Festivals<\/h2>

The county town of Besal\u00fa celebrates its famous medieval fair, known as Besal\u00fa Medieval<\/strong><\/em>, in September. The town travels a thousand years back in time, giving its historic center an appearance characterized by medieval style that has always defined the region. Both the historical and architectural ensemble give the town a realistic atmosphere of the era, accompanied by shops and special decorations, as well as various activities for all ages.<\/p>

\"\"
Besal\u00fa Medieval<\/figcaption><\/figure>

During the Puente de la Pur\u00edsima in December, the Ratafia Fair<\/strong> is celebrated, where a group of experts selects the best ratafia of the year from Besal\u00fa<\/em>. The exhibition, tasting, and sale of ratafias from Catalonia take place in Liberty Square, and there’s also a market with typical and artisan products in Prat de Sant Pere Square.<\/sup><\/p>

Best Time to Visit<\/h2>

The best times to visit Besal\u00fa are spring and autumn<\/strong> as they are the most suitable for outdoor activities and mountain excursions. However, winter also offers a unique charm with Christmas decorations and the sale of nougat and hot chestnuts. In summer, the high tourist season may hide the essence of the town.<\/p>

Must-See Attractions<\/h2>