Celrà: History, Industrial Heritage and the Ter Landscape

Celrà offers visitors a variety of things to explore: local history, industrial heritage and the landscape along the Ter. Its historical landmarks date from the early 11th century to the present-day town centre; trails also lead to former production sites and natural areas. This gives you the chance to discover different sides of the town during your stay.

Local history in Celrà

Castell de Celrà offers a clear view of the present-day town centre. The parish church of Sant Feliu de Celrà is documented from 1024 and had a Romanesque form at the beginning of the 11th century. The Sagrera of Celrà also dates from the early 11th century. Its boundaries can be traced along Ronda de Baix, baixada de la Doma and Maria Cristina. In comparison, the church has a precise date, while the Sagrera can be identified by its named street boundaries.

Industrial heritage and historic trails

The mines of Celrà are part of the Les Gavarres ethnological site, which is listed in the Register of Cultural Assets of National Interest (BCIN). The La Fàbrica tour offers another way to explore the industrial heritage: it passes through various areas of the former factory, which are now used for cultural purposes. Only areas open to the public can be visited.

The Forns de calç i la Rajoleria de Celrà trail leads to the lime kilns of Mas Garriga and Can Taverner, as well as the brickworks of Mas Garriga. Celrà also has several routes to medieval castles and towers, lime kilns, brickworks and iron ore mines dating from the period of industrialisation, as well as to natural areas along the Ter and in the Serra de les Gavarres. Together, these themes span the period from medieval buildings to traces of industrial production.

The Ter landscape and nature

A well-developed strip of riparian woodland runs along the riverbank at Illa dels Salzes. It is especially prominent around the first viewpoint and on the island that gives the site its name. The Illa dels Salzes i Camp d’Aviació excursion combines exploring the natural landscape along the Ter with preserved structures from a former airfield used during the Spanish Civil War. The natural area and the airfield’s history are two distinct themes of this excursion.

The Ruta del Ter invites you to experience the river with all five senses while discovering an area rich in historical and cultural heritage, fauna, flora and landscapes. The trail along the Séquia Vinyals offers a different view of the surrounding area. The Séquia is a historic water-management structure from the 18th century; the path runs through the fertile agricultural landscape of the small plain along the Ter and offers views of the canal’s still waters.

Getting there and the Festa Major

Regional trains on the Barcelona–Figueres–Portbou line stop in Celrà. Sarfa buses reach the town from Girona, Baix Empordà and the Costa Brava. Check the latest timetables before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly.

Celrà’s Festa Major takes place every year on the weekend after 1 May and is dedicated to the patron saints Sant Sixt and Sant Hou. If the festival is part of your reason for travelling, take this recurring date into account when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Marzà, Pujals dels Pagesos, Calonge, Espolla, Maçanet De La Selva, Fortià, Gualta, La Cometa

For the broader travel overview: Girona.