make different excursions from Begur allows you to discover the beauty of the Costa Brava, with its beautiful beaches and its small sheltered coves between rocky elevations. Not in vain, the province of Girona It is famous throughout the world for its coastline.
This Catalan town has wonderful sandy beaches that we have talked about in a previous article. But also its surroundings and neighboring municipalities have a lot to offer you both in terms of nature and in terms of monumental heritage. For all this, we are going to show you some of the excursions from Begur that you can do during your stay in the town of Girona.
Esclany
Esclanyà Castle, one of the essential excursions from Begur
Without leaving the municipal term of Begur, in its northwest area you have the first destination to visit. Nothing less than about a whole small town with mostly Romanesque buildings. During the Middle Ages it was under the rule of the lord of Cruilles and, among other monuments, it has a castle and a religious temple.
The first, called, precisely, Esclanya castle, consists of a large XNUMXth century tower attached to a XNUMXth century building that was made taking advantage of the previous fortress. It is in a good state of conservation and bears the recognition of Cultural Asset of National Interest. Its construction is made of small and sharp ashlars in which holes can be seen to fit scaffolding. Likewise, on its north face there are battlements and on the eastern façade a machicolation or defensive gallery.
With regards to church of Sant Esteve de Esclanyà, was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Therefore, it is also Romanesque, although the cover was reformed in the XNUMXth century following the canons of the Baroque. It consists of two naves with a head formed by two semicircular apses and connected by former arches. But also one of them, as well as the sacristy and a chapel were added later. As for the main façade, it has a rose window and a belfry with a bay for two bells culminates in it. As in the previous case, the temple is part of the protected buildings within the Catalan Architectural Heritage.
Llofriu, another excursion from Begur that will take you back in time
Church square in Llofriu
Already in the municipal term of Palafrugell you have another gem from the past that you cannot miss. We are referring to the town of Llofriu, whose historic center is made up of buildings from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth centuries. These are constructions of popular architecture such as, for example, Can Bassa Rock, today converted into a cultural center.
But the entire town is articulated around the Church of San Fruitós de Llofriu, also built in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries on the remains of a previous one in Romanesque style that is already mentioned in texts from the XNUMXth century. It consists of a single nave crowned by a polygonal apse and side chapels. It is also covered by a gabled roof. Outwardly, its main façade is sober and overlooks a square. Likewise, its bell tower with a square plan and semicircular arches stands out.
Moreover, the tile fountain, built in 1907, is famous for its iron-rich waters. And, close to Palafrugell, you can see more pla, a beautiful farmhouse built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries that belonged to the writer's family Josep Pla.
Palafrugell
Palafrugell Mercantile Circle
On the other hand, it makes no sense for you to visit Llofriu and stay away from Palafrugell, the capital of the municipality and with a rich monumental and historical heritage that dates back to the Iberian period. To this belongs the archaeological site of San Sebastian, which is complemented by the Roman of Llafranc.
You should also visit the set of the village, the name by which its historic quarter of medieval origin is known, of which there are still remains of the walls. However, the town was organized around the Church of Saint Martin of Tours. Its origins date back to the XNUMXth century, but the invoice that you can see today is due to the reconstruction carried out between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. For this reason, it presents features of styles as varied as Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Formally, it consists of a single large nave with a polygonal apse, side chapels and a choir. The roof is gabled and the main façade consists of a rectangular gate framed by pilasters and a bas-relief. Likewise, it is crowned by semicircular arches and adorned by a large rose window.
On the other hand, you should also see in Palafrugell the defensive towers built to protect the town from pirate attacks. Among them, which are spread throughout the municipality, the oldest is that of San Sebastian, but they also stand out those of Can Boera, Can Burrull or Vila-Seca.
Very different is the can mario tower. In this case, it is an old water tank built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century and in a modernist style. It gets its name from the old homonymous cork factory that is next to it and that also stands out for its original construction. Currently, you can visit its interpretation center and even go up to the terrace, which is thirty-five meters high and offers wonderful views of the region.
In short, Palafrugell has many other buildings that you should pay attention to. We cannot mention them all to you, but, as examples, we will cite the City Hall building or Casal Bech de Careda, a beautiful noucentista building; he Mercantile Circle, with neoclassical features; he Municipal Hospital, XNUMXth century baroque or the eclectic covered market.
Pals, nature and monumental heritage
Coll's rafts
If Palafrugell was part of the excursions from Begur that go down to the south, Pals is to the west. But it is another must-see if you want to get to know the area. Its municipal term is part of the Natural Park of Montgrí, the Medas Islands and Bajo Ter, through which you can make beautiful hiking trails. Specifically, spaces such as the Basses d'en Coll (Las Balsas de Coll), an area of marshes with dunes and native vegetation that has enormous ecological value. It is also a nesting place for birds such as the peregrine falcon, Bonelli's eagle or Montagu's harrier.
But, if the nature of Pals is beautiful, its heritage of monuments is no less valuable. for something the aforementioned Josep Pla He said of this town that "it deserves, not one, but a hundred visits." You can start yours seeing the old town, known as medieval village, which draws attention for its narrow cobbled streets with houses from that time. In the latter, you have to look at their semicircular and horseshoe arches, their portals and their Romanesque and Gothic windows.
You will find this part of the town within the walled enclosure, of which remain towers like those of Ramonet and the Hospital and in which there are also Renaissance and Baroque constructions. Also, integrated into this space is the tower of the hours, which belonged to the old castle of the town. It is dated between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and is Romanesque.
As for the religious monuments of this beautiful town, the main one is the church of Sant Pere, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and, therefore, mostly Gothic. However, the façade is Baroque and stands out for the curved pediment over the entrance, the rose with openwork decoration and an image of the patron. It also highlights the square bell tower with semicircular arches. As for the interior, it has a nave separated into three bays or spaces by main arches that also support the ribbed vault; a chorus; Gothic side chapels and apse with windows.
Finally, on the road that connects this town with Torroella you can see the pals mill, a large construction dating between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. And, equally, nearby you have other buildings of interest. For example, farmhouses like those of Mas Roig and Mas Gelabert or the Pedrissa tower.
in peratalla
Solivella Castle, in Peratallada, another of the excursions from Begur that cannot be postponed
The excursions from Begur to Pals can be complemented by continuing to Peratallada, which is to the east of the last one and which constitutes one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Gerona. Not in vain, all of him is Historic Artistic Set for its perfectly preserved medieval historic center of narrow streets and traditional houses.
But in this beautiful town two monuments stand out: the Solivella Castle and Church of San Esteve. The first was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries and is a fortification that includes a keep and a palace. In turn, the latter is rectangular in plan and has two floors with patios and Gothic-style rooms.
Regarding temple of san esteve, was built in the twelfth century and responds, mostly to the Romanesque. It is located on the outskirts and stands out for its original front or main façade, with the doorway on one side and different arches on the other. It is also decorated with a rose window and several corbels. As for the interior, it is divided into two naves and as many semicircular apses.
In conclusion, we have proposed excursions from Begur that will allow you to discover wonderful places. But we could also recommend others like the ones that would take you to Palamos, Sant Feliu de Guixols o Saint Martin of Ampurias, near the ancient and famous Greek colony. Dare to know this wonderful part of the province of Gerona.