Discover Argelaguer: Springs, History and Nature

Argelaguer lies in the valley of the Fluvià River, between the Llierca and Borró waterways and on the eastern slope of the Garrotxa. There are more than twenty springs in various locations; the most important is the Jonquet spring area on the Rec d’Orriols irrigation channel. The former El Rec water channel carried water through the entire old town to Santa Maria Church and also supplied several troughs for animals. The surrounding area includes the peaks of la Creu de Monteia, la Calma, Puig de Lliurella and Sant Julià del Mont.

Culture and History

The Camí Ral ran through Argelaguer along what is now Carrer Major and had a branch leading to the parish church and the Chapel of Santa Anna. The Capella de Santa Anna is a Romanesque building with a nave, an apse and a vaulted portal; a brotherhood dedicated to Saint Anne was founded at the chapel in 1460.

The Casa Forta dels Montpalau is an example of a Catalan civil Gothic castle, or Gothic castle-palace. The Castell d’Argelaguer was built in the 15th century and is an example of a Catalan Gothic fortress with a square floor plan, which was formerly fortified. The Chapel of Mare de Déu del Guilar was probably built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries near the fortified house of the Montpalau family; only a few collapsed walls of this house remain today.

Santa Maria d’Argelaguer preserves Romanesque architectural elements: the base of the bell tower and the apse, two decorative columns of the apse, and a section of wall concealed by an extension from the 17th century. The remains of two ice houses, the Pou de glaç, have also been preserved in the municipality. The Can Xac archaeological site is an open settlement from the Late Bronze Age; various objects and tools, as well as the hut structures of its inhabitants, were found there.

Festivals and Museums

The Festa del Roser includes the dance and procession of the giant figure Màssio, the miller, as well as the big-headed figures L'Hereu i la Pubilla, en Toni del Porró and en Gervasi de Cassoles, and the small giant figure Santanàs. The celebration is accompanied by stilt walkers and traditional music played on violins, accordions and a Cobla de tres quartans. The Festa del Roser is held on 2 May; several festive events are often organised on the second weekend of May.

Around Argelaguer are the Museu Darder Espai d'Interpretació de l'Estany, the Museu de la Garrotxa and the Museu Dels Sants D'Olot; all three are museums.

Routes

The Garrell Route begins at the car park next to Argelaguer Town Hall, runs through fields to the river and continues to the natural springs of the Riera de Can Sis-rals. There, visitors can see the land art works created by Josep Pujiula, known as “Garrell”.

The Ruta del riu offers the opportunity to observe mallards, grey herons and little egrets; with a great deal of luck, visitors may also see otters, which were reintroduced to the Fluvià in the late 1990s. The Route of the Third Carlist Wars leads to sites associated with the last Carlist War.

Other destinations

Other destinations on this page: Tortellá, Caldes De Malavella, Terrades, Portbou, Santa Cristina De Aro, Pontós, Sant Jaume De Llierca, Peralada

To the main travel overview: Girona.