Torroella de Montgrí: Old Town, Montgrí and Cultural Heritage

Torroella de Montgrí brings together the historic old town, the cultural heritage of the Montgrí and trails for walking or cycling, each offering a different focus. When planning your hotel stay, consider whether you want to focus mainly on historic sites, the landscape, or both.

Old Town and Architectural History

Torroella became a royal town in 1272. Today, the old town is a walled settlement with narrow, straight streets and a central square. These features shape its historic character. Other landmarks include the Gothic church of Sant Genís and the 14th-century Portal de Santa Caterina. Together, they offer different perspectives on architectural history, from the layout of the settlement to individual historic buildings.

Montgrí: Landscape and Trails

The Montgrí mountain range is about 8 kilometres long and covers around 2,300 hectares. The massif’s cultural heritage includes numerous examples of dry-stone architecture: walls, shelters, lime kilns, wells and vineyard huts. These structures offer insight into how people have shaped the landscape, while the trails provide different ways to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.

Historic trails connect Torroella de Montgrí with l'Estartit and l'Escala, passing through Ullà and Bellcaire. The Ruta del Montgrí i el Baix Ter consists of four stages on foot; the park’s cycling route is divided into two stages by bicycle. The Caminos del Montgrí let you explore the castle, the valley and the Santa Caterina hermitage on foot. This makes it easy to compare the different routes by activity and number of stages.

Castell del Montgrí also brings landscape and history together: the ascent follows a footpath and offers panoramic views. Construction of the castle began in 1294 as a defensive fortress. Work was halted in 1301, leaving it unfinished. Its building history explains why the castle is known today as an unfinished medieval structure.

Underground and Prehistoric Heritage

The Mina d'aigua supplied water to Torroella de Montgrí in the Middle Ages and is now considered a locally significant heritage site. You can visit it as an underground historic site. The Cau del Duc cave represents a much earlier chapter in the area’s history: this prehistoric site is associated with human settlement around 300,000 years ago. Together, these sites represent very different periods and evidence of human history.

Museum, Music and Local Traditions

The Museu de la Mediterrània is located in the Can Quintana building in Torroella de Montgrí. This interactive, educational museum explores the nature, history and culture of the Mediterranean region. The Sala de les Bèsties i dels Gegants is a permanent exhibition space devoted to the town’s festive figures. Those currently on display include an eagle, a dragon, a giant and a giantess, as well as big-head figures. The museum also presents the Sardana, a music and dance tradition from Baix Ter; you can explore the instruments of a cobla in an interactive display.

Local traditions also offer a variety of highlights. The Fira de Sant Andreu continues to this day as an annual fair. A gathering with celebrations is held every November at the Santa Caterina hermitage. The Festival de Torroella de Montgrí presents classical music and contemporary works. It began in 1981 with a concert series set in the old town’s medieval architectural surroundings. If you want to combine your trip with an event, check the relevant dates for your travel dates.

Find Hotels in Torroella de Montgrí

Consider which of these themes matter most to your stay and find a hotel in Torroella de Montgrí.

Discover more destinations: El Mas Pinell, La Torre Vella, Els Griells, Sobrestany, Estartit, Sant Miquel De Campmajor, Viladamat, Ripoll.

For the broader travel overview: Girona.