Argelaguer lies in the valley of the FluviĂ River, between the Llierca and BorrĂł waterways and on the eastern slope of La Garrotxa. This gives you different ways to plan your trip: architectural and local history, springs and river landscapes, or routes featuring Land Art and wildlife watching. The facet that interests you most can shape the focus of your stay.
Landscape and Water in Argelaguer
There are more than twenty springs at various locations in the municipality. The most important is considered to be the Jonquet spring area, by the Rec d’Orriols irrigation channel. Another trace of water use is the former El Rec channel: it carried water through the entire old town to the Church of Santa Maria and also supplied several animal watering troughs. The springs and the historic channel thus represent two different aspects of the local landscape: natural water outlets and the former distribution of water through the town.
Local History and Architecture
The historic CamĂ Ral ran along what is now Carrer Major. A branch led from it to the parish church and the Chapel of Santa Anna. The Capella de Santa Anna is a Romanesque building with a single nave, an apse, and a vaulted portal. A confraternity dedicated to Saint Anne was founded at the chapel in 1460.
Santa Maria d’Argelaguer preserves Romanesque architectural elements, including the base of the bell tower and the apse, as well as two decorative columns on the apse. Another section of wall is concealed by an extension dating from the 17th century. The building’s history is evident both in the surviving elements and in later alterations.
Secular and military architecture is also part of Argelaguer’s history. Casa Forta dels Montpalau is an example of a Catalan castle of civil Gothic architecture, also known as a Gothic palace-castle. Castell d’Argelaguer was built in the 15th century and is an example of a Catalan Gothic fortress with a square floor plan; the complex was formerly 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 of this house remain.
Festive Traditions and Archaeological Traces
The Festa del Roser features the dance and procession of Mà ssio, the miller giant, as well as the big-head figures L’Hereu i la Pubilla, en Toni del Porró, and en Gervasi de Cassoles. The small giant Santanàs is also part of the celebration. Stilt walkers accompany the festivities; traditional music includes violins, accordions, and a Cobla de tres quartans. The Festa del Roser is celebrated on May 2, with several events often taking place on the second weekend of May. The specific program can vary, so check the festival dates before your trip.
The Can Xac archaeological site is an open settlement dating from the Late Bronze Age. Various objects and tools, as well as the hut structures of the people who lived there, have been found at the site. The remains of two ice houses, known as Pou de glaç, have also been preserved in the municipality. Both topics add evidence of earlier settlement and provisioning to the area’s architectural history.
Routes with Different Themes
The Garrell route starts at the car park beside Argelaguer town hall. It passes through fields to the river and continues to the natural springs of the Riera de Can Sis-rals. Josep Pujiula’s Land Art works, known as “Garrell,” are located at the springs. Check the latest route details before setting out.
The Ruta del riu offers the chance to spot mallards, grey herons, and little egrets. With a lot of luck, you may also see otters; they were reintroduced to the FluviĂ in the late 1990s. Whether you see wildlife depends on the season and conditions. Another option is the route of the Third Carlist Wars, which visits sites connected with the last Carlist War. The routes therefore have different focuses: Land Art and springs, wildlife watching, or historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Beuda, Llanars, RabĂłs, Sant Joan De Les Abadesses, Llampaies, Cantallops, CrespiĂ , El Port De La Selva.
For the wider travel overview: Girona.
