Amer: Culture and Walking Routes

Amer combines historic buildings with opportunities to explore the landscape on foot. In the town, you’ll find Romanesque architecture, an ethnological museum and an annual dance tradition. Signposted routes start at several points in the town centre and lead to religious buildings in the surrounding area. When choosing a hotel in Amer, you might consider whether you’d like to focus your stay more on the town’s history or on walks and routes.

Culture and History in Amer

In 2012, Amer’s old town was classified as a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN) in the historic ensemble category. A key part of its architectural heritage is the Santa Maria d’Amer complex. It includes a Romanesque church with four apses; typical Lombard bands can be seen on the exterior. The Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria d’Amer was consecrated by Bishop Gotmar in 949. The architecture and monastic history provide two distinct historical points of reference: the church’s surviving form and the monastery’s recorded date of consecration.

Plaça de la Vila also tells the story of how public space was used. The square is lined with arcades that developed from commercial market stalls and shops. Their origins thus point to the arcades’ former economic function, not just their architectural effect. The Museu Etnològic d’Amer is housed in the Can Terme building. It includes the permanent Lluís Sidera collection and spaces for temporary exhibitions; both offer a distinctive way to explore the town’s cultural history.

One specific date to keep in mind when planning a culture-focused visit is 16 August, when the Sardana de l’Alcalde is danced. Since its revival in 1949, the tradition has taken place every year without interruption. If you’re planning your trip around this event, you can use the date as a fixed point in your itinerary.

Walks and Routes Around Amer

Along the Brugent River, the well-preserved riverside woodland offers a shaded place for a walk. Font Picant d’Amer is also on the Brugent, in a peaceful, shady setting that is well suited to a walk. Alongside historic buildings, riverside landscapes offer another focus for a visit. The two locations provide different reasons to spend time outdoors: a walk through the riverside woodland and the peaceful setting of the spring.

For longer excursions, signposted routes start at several points in the town centre. The Ruta de les Ermites leads to the hermitages of Santa Brígida, Sant Marçal, Sant Genís and Pietat, as well as the church of Sant Climent in the Amer area. As route details may change, check the current route before setting out. The walking route to Ermita de Santa Brígida starts from the C-63, follows Carrer Santa Brígida and then continues along a path beyond the paved road; check local conditions before taking this access route.

Ermita de Santa Brígida was built in the 11th century as a chapel dependent on the Monastery of Amer. It stands on a rocky outcrop and offers views over the valley. At Puig d’Alia, landscape and archaeological heritage come together: from there, the 360-degree panorama stretches across the Guilleries, Garrotxa, Selva and Gironès. Remains of an Iberian settlement have also been preserved there, including some structures and graves. These different points of interest can help you choose what to explore in Amer: architectural history and local culture in the centre, riverside landscapes on a walk, or historic sites and viewpoints along the routes.

Discover more destinations: Tortellá, Palau Saverdera, Juià, Sarriá De Ter, Cantallops, Capmany, Osor, Vilobí D'onyar

For the broader travel overview: Girona.