Pelacalç reveals itself through a history that continues to shape the village today. The compact hamlet consists of a few farmhouses and the Capella de l’Assumpta, now converted into a residence. The present-day settlement arose in connection with the destruction of the castle during the Reapers’ War. For travelers interested in architectural history, the village offers a clear focus on castle remains and farmhouses; Santa Maria de l’Om complements them as a nearby, distinct historical point of interest.
Castle Traces and Historical Context
Pelacalç Castle is documented from the beginning of the 14th century. In the 16th century, it belonged to the Margarit family. During the Reapers’ War, Castilian troops burned down and looted the castle and church of Pelacalç in 1640. The hamlet’s farmhouses were built over the castle’s remains in the 16th century and, above all, the 17th century. The present-day settlement and its architectural history are therefore closely connected to the former castle site.
Remains of the castle wall are visible from Carrer de Can Picó. At a short surviving stretch of wall, another fragment forms a corner. The beginning of a vaulted passage can be seen, along with possible remains of a fortified gateway. Its possible interpretation as a gateway remains uncertain. Those interested in the hamlet’s architectural development will find a concrete point of reference here, where the castle’s history can be read in the surviving fragments of wall.
Farmhouses and Architectural Details
Pelacalç’s farmhouses each have their own historical features. Can Picó has a Gothic-Renaissance window. Can Joanmiquel, now Can Saló, is among the hamlet’s oldest farmhouses; Can Mallol is one of its notable houses. Several coats of arms have been discovered on the walls of Can Costal, but they have not yet been studied. The Capella de l’Assumpta also points to the former castle: it was partly built using stone from it. Together, these details show the various connections between the historic buildings and the village.
Santa Maria de l’Om as a Separate Point of Interest
Santa Maria de l’Om lies one kilometer northeast of Pelacalç, amid the plain near the hamlet. The church was formerly the parish church of Pelacalç and is now a Marian shrine, or hermitage. It belongs to the parish of Sant Sadurní de Montiró. Its surviving Romanesque elements suggest that it was built in the 11th century. Two periods thus come together here: its former role as a parish church and its current religious status.
The location is also easy to navigate: a good path to Santa Maria de l’Om branches off the road between Pelacalç and Montiró. The road from Viladamat to Castelló d’Empúries passes through Pelacalç. These details help distinguish the hamlet from the shrine: the castle and farmhouse history belongs to Pelacalç’s compact settlement, while Santa Maria de l’Om lies northeast of it on the plain. Visitors choosing where to stay based on historic architecture can use this information to identify the distinct points of interest in the village and its nearby surroundings.
For the broader travel overview: Ventalló.
