A small hilltop sanctuary, a medieval building remnant and houses with distinctive portals offer different starting points for discovering Gaüses’ local architectural history. The river landscape and festivals associated with the village throughout the year add to these points of interest. The different themes can be explored individually, from the setting by the water to the details on façades and churches.

River Valley and Historic Remains

Gaüses lies in the valley of the Riera de Ramema, also known as the Riera de Gaüses. It is a tributary of the Ter. The two names therefore refer to the same watercourse. On the right bank of the Riera, the remains of an old mill are preserved alongside the Almoina. The Almoina itself is the remnant of a medieval building that once belonged to the Pia Almoina of Girona. Two different historical associations therefore sit side by side here: the surviving remains of a former building with its institutional affiliation, and the remains of an old mill. Looking at Gaüses this way connects the description of its river landscape with tangible traces of its built heritage.

Stone Façades and Distinctive Portals

The Barri de Baix extends along both sides of a single street. Its stone façades and the large portals found on some of the houses shape the architectural character of the neighbourhood. The voussoirs are an important detail of these portals: individual wedge-shaped stones form the arch. This provides a specific point of comparison when you look at the architectural forms of the houses.

Can Torres and Can Mundet also feature different details. Can Torres has a large portal with a round-arched voussoir arch. One of the building’s Renaissance windows has a drip moulding and moulded jambs. Can Mundet also has a large portal with voussoirs on its façade, as well as a Gothic tracery window. Comparing the two shows that your attention need not be limited to portals: windows and their framing add to the features of the façades. Each house therefore offers its own combination of architectural elements, with features that are distinct from those of the other.

Churches and Sanctuary

Santa Maria de Gaüses has a single-nave body, side chapels, a polygonal apse and lunette vaults. Sant Roc is a small, vernacular 18th-century building on a small hill. The chapel has a single-nave body with a barrel vault and a semicircular apse. A comparison of the two buildings therefore highlights their different layouts and vault forms: Santa Maria has side chapels and a polygonal apse, while Sant Roc is described as a single-nave building with a semicircular apse. The chapel’s barrel vault adds to its architectural features; the lunette vaults belong to Santa Maria. These specific architectural elements make it possible to distinguish the churches, rather than viewing them simply as general landmarks in the village’s history.

The Barri de l’Església is also known as Gaüses de Dalt. You reach it through a covered passageway belonging to Mas Solà. The passageway is a distinctive architectural landmark on the way into this neighbourhood.

Festivals Throughout the Year

Gaüses’ Festa Major includes a mass, a Sardana performance and dancing. In addition, an Aplec is held every year in Gaüses for the Sant Roc festival. These details describe different programme items and traditions, but do not give dates for any particular year. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, check the dates for your travel period in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Vilopriu.