Argelaguer: Heritage, Springs and Historic Routes
Accommodation in Argelaguer
Argelaguer lies in the valley of the FluviĂ River, between the Llierca and BorrĂł waterways and on the eastern slope of the Garrotxa. The town brings together a rich architectural history with springs, riverside scenery and themed trails. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: historic buildings and festival traditions, or nature and water.
Landscape, water and trails
There are more than twenty springs at various locations in Argelaguer. The most important spring area is Jonquet, by the Rec d’Orriols irrigation channel. Water also shaped the town’s former water supply: the old El Rec channel carried water through the entire old town to the Church of Santa Maria and also supplied several animal troughs. This historic function is part of the town’s history and should be distinguished from today’s river and spring attractions.
The Garrell Route starts at the car park beside the town hall. It runs through fields to the river and continues to the natural springs of the Riera de Can Sis-rals. There you can see land art by Josep Pujiula, known as “Garrell”. Check the route information before setting out on a hike.
On the Ruta del riu, you may spot mallards, grey herons and little egrets. With a lot of luck, you may also see otters, which were reintroduced to the FluviĂ in the late 1990s. Sightings depend on the season and conditions. Another historical theme is explored by the Route of the Third Carlist Wars, which leads to sites associated with the last Carlist War. When choosing between these routes, the natural point of comparison is therefore their themes, not unspecified walking times: the river and wildlife watching, land art, or war history.
Architectural history and traces of the town
The old CamĂ Ral ran through Argelaguer along what is now Carrer Major. A branch led to the parish church and the Chapel of Santa Anna. The Capella de Santa Anna is a Romanesque building with a nave, an apse and a vaulted portal. A brotherhood dedicated to Saint Anne was founded at the chapel in 1460. The route, architectural form and brotherhood each tell a different aspect of local history: the historic connection through the town, its architecture and its religious life.
Another example of the town’s architectural history is the Casa Forta dels Montpalau, a Catalan civil Gothic building in the form of a castle or palace-fortress. Castell d’Argelaguer was built in the 15th century. It is a Catalan Gothic fortress with a square floor plan, which was once fortified. The Chapel of Mare de Déu del Guilar was probably built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, near the fortified house of the Montpalau family; today, only a few collapsed walls remain of that house.
Santa Maria d’Argelaguer also preserves Romanesque architectural elements, including the base of the bell tower and the apse, as well as two decorative small columns on the apse. A section of wall is concealed by an extension dating from the 17th century. The remains of two ice houses, known as Pou de glaç, have also survived in the municipality. Archaeology adds evidence from a much earlier period: Can Xac is an open settlement dating from the Late Bronze Age. Various objects and tools, as well as the hut structures of its inhabitants, have been found there.
Festa del Roser and travel planning
The Festa del Roser is celebrated on 2 May; several festival events are often held on the second weekend of May. The annual programme may vary, so it is worth checking the dates when planning your trip. The celebrations include a dance and procession featuring Mà ssio, the miller giant figure, as well as the big-head figures L’Hereu i la Pubilla, en Toni del Porró and en Gervasi de Cassoles, and the small giant figure Santanà s. Stilt walkers and traditional music performed on violins and accordions, along with a cobla de tres quartans, accompany the festival.
Whether you are mainly interested in Romanesque and Gothic buildings, festival traditions or the trails by the water, Argelaguer offers several distinct themes to help you plan your stay. If you are visiting for the Festa del Roser, take the changing annual schedule into account when choosing your dates; if you want to hike, check the route information before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Sant Hilari Sacalm, Castell-Platja d’Aro, Garriguella, Sant Gregori, Santa Llogaia del Terri, Gualta, Maçanet De La Selva, Juià .
See the main travel overview: Girona.
