Castell d'Empordà: Castle, Chapel and Routes

Castell d'Empordà brings together a small settlement, a striking historic building, a chapel and a festival tradition. When planning your stay, several themes come into focus: the history of the Castell, the architecture of the Ermita del Remei, named routes and the Aplec del Remei. You can choose what to focus on depending on whether architectural history, activity or a particular date matters most to you.

Castle and local history

Castell d'Empordà, also known as Castell de Llaneres, gave its name to the small settlement surrounding it. It was probably built towards the end of the 13th century by Count Ponç V of Empúries at a border location. This lay between the County of Empúries, the royal territory of Girona and the episcopal lands of la Bisbal. The cautious dating and historic border region are part of the context for understanding the building.

The main tower, with its wedge-stone portal, and a Gothic window near the tower are the parts of the Castell that survive. From the 16th century onwards, the Margarit family commissioned alterations: the complex gained a Renaissance window and was converted into a residential palace. The castle thus combines surviving older architectural elements with later remodelling. The different names, Castell d'Empordà and Castell de Llaneres, refer to the same building.

Ermita del Remei and Sant Martí de Llaneres

The Ermita del Remei is integrated into the castle complex. The chapel was built in 1600 and extended in 1750; a bell tower dating from a later period also forms part of it. It has a rectangular, single-nave plan, with a semicircular apse and a lunette vault. This description covers both the basic layout and characteristic features of the interior. If you are interested in historic architecture, you can distinguish several specific architectural features of the chapel rather than seeing it merely as part of the castle complex.

Sant Martí de Llaneres is also located near the settlement. The church has been documented since 1101; the present church building was erected in 1584. The two dates refer to different things: the early documentation of Sant Martí and the construction of the present building. The church thus adds a distinct point in time to the local history.

Routes and landscape

When considering the routes, it is worth looking at each one's name and the information associated with it. “Nucli medieval de Castell d'Empordà” is one of three easy family routes that start in the municipality of la Bisbal d'Empordà. You can follow the route “El Castell d'Empordà” on foot or by bicycle. The names indicate different routes; the details about their starting points and activity types help you tell them apart.

Another route, “El riu Daró”, is described by its course: it runs parallel to the Daró River as far as Castell d'Empordà. There it continues along the left-bank levee, passes the Riera de l'Rissec and returns to la Bisbal via the plain of Casavells. The river, levee and return leg give this route a clearly defined sequence.

For a landscape viewpoint, head to the highest point of the turó de Marenys hill. In clear weather, it offers a 360-degree panorama, in which surrounding peaks and villages can be seen. The weather condition is crucial for visibility: the panorama and visible landscape features are specifically described as being visible in clear conditions.

Aplec del Remei

The Aplec del Remei is a traditional popular festival in Castell d'Empordà. It takes place every year on the second Sunday in October. You can plan your stay around the stated festival date, without assuming a different event date.

For the broader travel overview: La Bisbal D'empordà.