Maiá de Montcal: Churches, Montcal and the Fluvià

Maiá de Montcal brings together distinctive landscape features, historic buildings and routes for a range of interests. The town lies at the foot of the 546-metre-high Montcal; the Fluvià River runs through Maiá de Montcal. Churches and traces of the past add to these geographical landmarks. When planning your trip, you can therefore focus on views, architectural history or an outdoor activity.

Landscape and views

Montcal and the Fluvià shape two different aspects of the landscape described here: the town lies at the foot of the mountain, while the river runs through Maiá de Montcal. The Church of Santa Maria de Jonqueres, also known as Santa Magdalena, offers a different perspective. From there, you can look out over the Empordà plain, the Bay of Roses and part of Cap de Creus. Visibility depends on the weather, so you should not expect to see these landscape destinations regardless of conditions.

Churches and traces of the past

The Església de Sant Vicenç is in the historic centre of Maiá de Montcal, in the neighbourhood known as veïnat de la Cellera, and dates from the 12th century. A notable architectural detail can be found on its door: an iron bolt, forged by a blacksmith, has been preserved there and probably dates from the same period as the church. The dating of the bolt is therefore explicitly uncertain, while the church itself is dated to the 12th century.

The Església de Sant Martí de Dosquers is a single-nave Romanesque church with a semicircular apse. “Single-nave” refers to the church’s single interior space; the apse is the semicircular end section. These terms help to describe the building’s form more precisely and distinguish it from other historical remains, without conflating the church with other buildings.

The historic ensemble of Dosquers in Maiá de Montcal includes the remains of a castle. Another historical trace is the pre-Romanesque bridge of Dosquers in Maiá de Montcal. It is listed as a cultural asset of local interest. The castle remains, bridge and churches thus represent different aspects of architecture, which you can explore during your stay according to your interests.

Routes and practical information

The Ruta del romaní is a cycling route through a rural landscape of fields and farmhouses, and is considered suitable for the whole family. Route conditions can change, so check the current situation before setting out. Font Pudosa is listed as a point of interest on two local Itinerannia circular routes in Maiá de Montcal. This information places the spring in the context of circular routes without describing a specific route to Font Pudosa.

El balcó de la Garrotxa is accessible with assistance or a handbike, except for the ascent to the church. This limitation is part of the accessibility information and is important when planning your visit. Yellow Itinerannia waymarking is noted for Route 124.

A route description published in February 2023 mentions a morning route in the area around Maiá de Montcal in La Garrotxa that reaches the summit of Puig de Santa Magdalena. The description therefore focuses on the route’s destination; it does not specify a walking time. The information differs from the Ruta del romaní, which is explicitly identified as a cycling route, and from the waymarking information for Route 124. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these different themes can help guide you: architectural history, landscape views or a specific outdoor activity.

Discover more destinations: Vilanova de la Muga, Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l'Heura, Girona, Sant Jordi Desvalls, Llampaies, Palol d'Onyar, Llanars, Tortellá.

For the broader travel overview: Girona.