Castellfollit De La Roca: Basalt and History
Accommodation in Castellfollit De La Roca
Basalt Cliff and Landscape
The basalt cliff of Castellfollit De La Roca is about 40 metres high and almost a kilometre long. In the natural park, it is one of the most geologically and scenically interesting places. Its basalt formation was created when two lava flows overlapped. The first flowed down from the Batet area through the Fluvià Valley about 217,000 years ago. About 192,000 years ago, a flow from the Toronell Valley arrived from the other side, covering the older one. The formation's history thus links two areas of origin in a clearly understandable sequence: first the flow from Batet, followed by the one from the Toronell Valley. Here, the rock, its form and the landscape are therefore directly connected to the themes of a stay.
File: Castellfollit de la Roca (Cataluña, España, 10-6-2024) (54178601149).jpg
Photo: Juanje Orío from Logroño, España (Europa) via Source, CC BY-SA 2.0
Itinerari 13 and Views
Itinerari 13 offers a second perspective on the place, this time along a specific route. Its starting point is at kilometre 45.2 of the road from Girona to Olot (GE-522), near the junction with the road to Oix (GEV-5221). The route then follows the riverbank through gardens, crosses a wooden walkway over the river and a small bridge over the Turonell. It continues along the paved Camí Vell to the Sant Salvador church. The Josep Pla viewpoint also offers a panoramic view over the Fluvià Valley.
Barri Vell and Built Heritage
The Barri Vell has medieval origins, narrow, shady streets and houses built mainly from volcanic rock. The volcanic origin of the building material connects the area to the basalt landscape, while the narrow lanes offer a different sense of scale.
The old Sant Salvador church was built in the 11th or early 12th century. It is designed in the Renaissance style and also preserves a Romanesque window. After numerous renovations, it was turned into a cultural centre.
The Camí de la Rossolada – horts includes rural infrastructure made from local basalt: retaining walls, paved paths, stairs, steps, gates, animal pens, huts and drainage channels. Pont Trencat also tells a specific story: the bridge dates from 1908. After the flood of 1940, it was not rebuilt; instead, the present-day bridge was constructed. In the Middle Ages, Castellfollit was a barony that included Sant Joan les Fonts, Begudà, Montagut and Castellar de la Muntanya.
Find a Holiday Apartment to Suit Your Travel Plans
When choosing a destination, Castellfollit offers two clearly distinct ways to explore it: its geological landscape and its historic character. Itinerari 13 complements these themes with a specific riverside route. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can weigh up whether the cliff and valley views or the Barri Vell and Sant Salvador should be the deciding factor for your stay. When planning a trip together, this comparison can bring different interests to light without making either one the sole focus.
Discover more destinations: Cabanes, Alp, Avinyonet De Puigventós, Cabanelles, Amer, Susqueda, Sarriá De Ter, Cruïlles
For the main travel overview: Girona.
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