Banyoles: Karst lake and medieval old town

Nature

The natural area of Estany de Banyoles has been protected as an Espai d'Interès Natural under the Catalan PEIN since 1992, has been included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance since 2002, and is a special protection area within the Natura 2000 network.

Estany de Banyoles is a karst lake formed by subsidence, beneath which up to 13 groundwater outlets have been identified.

The natural area of Estany de Banyoles and Platja d'Espolla extend across the municipalities of Banyoles, Porqueres and Fontcoberta.

More than 75 species listed in the annexes to the European Union Habitats Directive occur in the natural area of Estany de Banyoles.

Travertine occurs frequently in its natural form on the shore and in the lake, as well as in the streets and buildings of Banyoles.

Culture

La Pia Almoina is an exemplary Catalan Gothic civic palace in the historic centre of Banyoles, known for its square courtyard and Gothic gallery with pointed arches.

A significant section of the city walls, documented since the 13th century, has been preserved in Banyoles' medieval old town.

The “Banyoles Medieval, del carrer al campanar” route passes through present-day streets where traces of medieval Banyoles have been preserved, climbs to the bell tower of Sant Esteve Monastery and ends with a visit to the 15th-century Arqueta de Sant Martirià, considered an important work of Catalan medieval goldsmithery.

Sant Esteve Monastery was founded in 812 and preserves a 15th-century Gothic altarpiece and the 15th-century reliquary casket of Sant Martirià.

Banyoles' historic irrigation channels were built from the 9th century onwards by the monks of Sant Esteve Monastery. They form a 33-kilometre network, and the corresponding route follows the watercourse into the old town.

The Darder Museum combines a natural history collection with an interpretation area explaining the formation of the lake basin of Estany de Banyoles.

The pesqueres on Estany de Banyoles are small, distinctive structures built on the water along the southern and eastern shores of the lake, and the Government of Catalonia has classified them as cultural assets of national interest in the Historic Garden category.

Some pesqueres can be visited as part of a guided tour, while most are privately used and can only be viewed from the outside.

Routes

The Rec Major route follows the watercourse from the lake to the centre of Banyoles and includes 11 industrial heritage points with explanatory panels; guided visits are offered once a month.

The route to Can Morgat and Puig Clarà leads to the Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Porqueres and the lagoons of Can Morgat.

At Puig Clarà, at an altitude of 315 metres, there are two wooden viewpoints offering 360-degree panoramic views of Estany de Banyoles, the town, parts of Empordà, and the Pre-Pyrenees and Pyrenees.

The route to La Puda, also known as Font Pudosa, and Les Estunes leads to several lagoons and a wetland inhabited by white storks and water buffalo.

At the Parc Neolític de la Draga, visitors can view life-size reconstructions of Neolithic buildings and take part in demonstrations or activities such as making fire, flint knapping and manually grinding grain.

Kayak rental is available on Estany de Banyoles; private kayaks may not be used because of the sensitivity of the ecosystem.

Sastres Paperers makes paper using traditional methods at Molí de la Farga.

Local traditions

The Festa Major de Sant Martirià in Banyoles takes place every year on the weekend before 24 October.

It includes competitions featuring cobla music and sardanas, as well as the Barraques music programme.

Banyoles' traditional local culinary specialities include chicory, black radish, purple garlic and handcrafted sweets such as Tortades, Cansalada, Xuixo and Rocs de l'Estany.

Getting there

TEISA offers bus services from Banyoles to Girona, Olot, Figueres and Barcelona, and also operates the town's public transport and an intercity service in Pla de l'Estany.

Within the regional context of Pla de l'Estany, Estany de Banyoles has become a defining feature of social and cultural identity; archaeological sites, including the Neolithic settlement of La Draga, are located on its shores.

More destinations

Other destinations within the parent area include Sant Jaume De Llierca, Vilopriu, Palafrugell, Les Planes D'hostoles, Sant Julià De Ramis, La Cellera De Ter, Beuda and Toses.

To the main travel overview: Girona.