Borrassà lies on the western edge of the alluvial plain of the Alt Empordà. The Riera d’Àlguema crosses the municipal area from west to northeast; it is a tributary of the Manol in the Muga river basin. These are two different ways of understanding the area: the alluvial plain situates Borrassà in the landscape, while the Riera runs across the municipality and is also part of the Muga river basin. When looking at the surrounding area on a map, this distinction between the edge of the landscape and the river system can be helpful.
Roads and Getting Your Bearings
To get your bearings, it is worth distinguishing between two road connections: a bypass connects Borrassà with Navata. By contrast, the main road from Barcelona to La Jonquera forms the eastern edge of the municipal area. One describes a connection between places, the other the location of a municipal boundary. This makes it possible to understand the roads on a map without confusing them with each other.
Church and Building History
The current parish church of Sant Andreu de Borrassà is an 18th-century building. A large part of its load-bearing walls incorporates defensive elements from the former castle or fortress of Borrassà, as well as elements from an earlier early medieval church. The building thus connects its own period of construction with older architectural traces: the earlier elements form part of the load-bearing walls; they are not merely another name in the town’s history.
Near the church façade stands a modernly restored Gothic wayside cross. It is located in the area of the former cemetery, now a public promenade. The church and the cross are close to each other, but belong to different architectural forms. Together, they show how the historical connection at this site can be seen both in the walls of a church building and in a cross in a public space.
House and Public Square
Another striking building is Espai Cal Governador: a large manor house from the 18th century, specifically from 1747. Unlike the parish church, its date is precisely known; at Sant Andreu, by contrast, the historical context is shaped by elements of older buildings incorporated into its load-bearing walls. Considering the two buildings together offers two different ways of understanding Borrassà’s architectural history: the dating of a manor house and the architectural combination of different periods in a church.
Plaça de la Geometria in northeastern Borrassà, opposite Sant Andreu Primary School, offers a different kind of public space. It was designed as a playful yet educational space, with geometric shapes depicted in the paving. The square combines play and leisure activities with educational features, seating areas and areas of greenery. Geometry here is therefore not just a motif in the name, but part of the square’s design. In contrast to the historic buildings, the focus is on the design and varied uses of public space. The school opposite provides a clear point of reference in the northeastern part of town.
The Way of St James towards Creixell
The Way of St James is also part of the description of the town: it crosses Borrassà as far as the main square and leaves the town along Camí dels Pujols towards Creixell. The section from Borrassà in this direction is considered a route for walking or cycling through wooded terrain. This describes both the route through the town and two ways to travel the section towards Creixell. If you plan to include this route in your itinerary, check the current condition of the trail before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Isòvol, Viladamat, Sant Llorenç De La Muga, Vilabertran, Llampaies, Palau De Santa Eulàlia, Montagut, Puigcerdá.
For the wider travel overview: Girona.
