Fares: Church, Fortress Remains and Paths along the Fluvià

Church and local history

Santa Maria de Fares has been documented since the year 977. At that time, it was a filial church. It was given to the collegiate church of Santa Maria de Besalú. The original building of Santa Maria de Fares was Romanesque. The building was altered later. Santa Maria de Fares served as the parish church of Fares until the village was incorporated into the parish of Sant Vicenç de Besalú.

The early ecclesiastical history is connected with a specific name and a specific year: Santa Maria de Fares already appears in the year 977, while Santa Maria de Besalú was recorded as a collegiate church. The later change concerns the originally Romanesque building. Santa Maria de Fares functioned as the parish church until Fares was incorporated into Sant Vicenç de Besalú.

Archaeological traces

In 1973, three Paleolithic tools were found in Fares. Archaeological work also brought the remains of a medieval fortified house to light. An area of approximately 500 square metres is given for this house. The archaeological finds therefore range from three Paleolithic tools to the remains of a fortified house from the Middle Ages.

Fortification of Fares

The remains of the Fortification of Fares that are visible today include a surrounding wall and a rectangular room or tower. The Fortification of Fares is located on a small hill east of Santa Maria de Fares. At this site, wall remains indicate a probably military installation. The cautious classification as probably military remains tied to the wall remains on the hill.

Nature and path

The Camí de les Rescloses is approximately four kilometres long. The approximate route length identifies the path as a clearly defined route without specifying an exact number of kilometres. On one side, the Camí de les Rescloses is accompanied by holm oak and pine forests. On the other side, there is riverside vegetation. Both landscape elements are directly linked to the sides of the path.

The Camí de les Rescloses follows the Fluvià upstream to the Reserva de Fauna Salvatge de l’Illa de Fares. The Camí de les Rescloses can be walked in both directions. For planning the day, the approximate length of about four kilometres and the possibility of walking the path in both directions are stated directly.

Cuisine and feast day

L’Arcada de Fares offers typical cuisine from La Garrotxa with modern accents. The cuisine is explicitly associated with La Garrotxa, while the modern accents complement the offering.

The Aplec dels Fares is associated with 15 August. This feast day includes Mare de Déu d’Agost.

The feast day combines a date on the calendar with the name Mare de Déu d’Agost; both details belong to the association of the Aplec dels Fares with 15 August and clearly establish its timing.

For the overarching travel overview: Sant Ferriol.