Palafolls: Castles, Beaches and Architecture

Landscape and History

The Castell de Palafolls stands on a strategic hill near the coast and overlooks the lower valley of the Tordera River. The castle hill thus brings coastal proximity and a river landscape together in a specific historical setting.

The Església de Sant Genís is a Romanesque church first mentioned in 947 that later received Gothic additions. Its bell tower, defensive tower and portal date from the 15th century. The Església de Santa Maria was built in two phases: approximately from 1865 to 1875 and from 1896 to 1908.

More recent architecture is also one of Palafolls' facets. The Biblioteca Enric Miralles is a posthumous work by the Catalan architect Enric Miralles and is partly sunken into the Parc de les Esplanes. The El Palauet sports pavilion in Palafolls was designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. Romanesque and Gothic-enhanced ecclesiastical architecture, the construction phases of Santa Maria, and the works of two named architects form distinct architectural layers from different periods.

A fixed date in Palafolls' annual calendar is the Festa Major on 8 September. It includes concerts, the parade of the Colla Gegantera, the Correfoc of the DiablesFolls, and communal outdoor dinners.

Surroundings and Coast

In the immediate vicinity of Palafolls is El castell, a viewpoint. Also nearby are the Sala de exposiciones Nugué i Camps, a museum, the Castillo de san joan, a castle, and Palafolls - Castell, a fortress. Each of the four places represents a different form of viewpoint, exhibition and defensive architecture.

The beaches in the immediate vicinity of Palafolls include Platja del Camí de la Pomereda, Platja de s'Abanell, Platja de Blanes and Platja dels Pins. Thus, in addition to the castle hill and the view of the lower Tordera valley, the immediate surroundings also include several destinations explicitly designated as beaches.

Leisure and Experiences

Marineland in Palafolls combines a dolphinarium, a marine zoo and a water park. Marineland also offers educational activities about dolphins and sea lions, as well as exotic birds. The programme therefore includes both the animal species mentioned and a water park as a separate facility.

At Prair Aviació Aeròdrom, flights last approximately 20 minutes per person; tours last more than two hours. The two activities therefore already differ in their stated duration: the flight has an approximate individual duration, while the tour is specified as lasting more than two hours.

Other destinations on the same higher-level category are Tavèrnoles, Bigues I Riells, La Pobla De Claramunt, Sant Jaume De Frontanyà, Cantonigròs, Seva, Viladellops and Puig-Reig.

Agriculture and Local Products

Horta Ecològica Pla de Munt grows everything that the climatic conditions allow, in accordance with the climate and season, and uses gentle farming methods. Seasonal and climatic conditions determine what is grown, while the cultivation methods are explicitly geared towards minimising environmental impact.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.