Besalú: Bridge, Mikvé and Medieval Streets

In the historic centre of Besalú, you can explore on foot through streets that reveal a significant heritage of medieval monuments. A Romanesque bridge in Besalú has been documented since the 11th century. Among these buildings and paths, different historical periods meet in tangible forms, from the bridge and sacred spaces to façade design.

Culture and History

The façade of Sant Julià has six archivolts and four capitals. Three of them depict animal figures, while the fourth features Corinthian acanthus leaves. The Gothic hall of the Cúria Reial preserves a 14th-century wooden ceiling and magnificent pointed arches. Besalú’s older heritage also includes the former Sant Pere de Besalú monastery, founded in 977.

The Mikvé of Besalú is an underground Romanesque space made of hewn stones. Its architectural features include an east-facing slit window, a barrel vault and a basin. The Mikvé may be one of the ten best-preserved examples of its kind in Europe. In the underground space, the hewn stones, the east-facing slit window, the barrel vault and the basin come together.

The church and hospice of Sant Julià also date from the 12th century. The Counts of Besalú founded them to care for pilgrims. Espai Besalú is an interpretation centre dedicated to the history of the town from its origins to the present day. For independent exploration of the town, the Besalú Tourist Office provides maps and information.

Walks and Paths

In addition to the streets of the historic centre, Route No. 1 leads from Portal dels Horts via Font del Molí and Ronda Fluvial to Pla de Can Batlle. It is 5 km long, has a low level of difficulty and barely any change in elevation. Along Besalú’s riverside path are gardens that provide a pleasant setting for walks and views. This means that both a clearly named circular route with its stops and a riverside path with gardens and views are available, without turning the two paths into a single route. For a route, its length, level of difficulty and change in elevation help you assess the time available in your day for a walk.

Festivals and Local Tradition

The Fira de la Ratafia includes the selection of Besalú’s best ratafia of the year. The Besalú Medieval festival has taken place every year on the last weekend of August since 1987. Both events are among the explicitly named occasions in the annual calendar, with the ratafia selection and the medieval festival each retaining their own character.

Further destinations in the same higher-level area: Cistella, Sant Tomàs De Fluvià, Alp, Cornellà Del Terri, Vilallonga De Ter, Llagostera, Cervià De Ter and Albanyà.

“Entre pedres i cavallers” is a fully staged guided tour.

To the higher-level travel overview: Girona.