Discover Foixà: History, Nature and Routes

The landscape of Foixà comprises rocky hills with the characteristic forest of the Terraprim, an agricultural alluvial plain and the Ter River. Foixà’s historic network of paths makes it possible to enjoy peaceful visits on foot or by bicycle.

History and Architectural Heritage

Castell de La Vila de Foixà has been documented since 1019; its chapel dates from 1194. Most of the present-day structure of Castell de La Vila de Foixà dates from the 13th century. Sant Joan de Foixà is a single-nave Gothic church from the 16th century with a semicircular apse. The parish church of Santa Maria is an 18th-century building; an earlier structure has been documented since the end of the 13th century.

The Creu del Rei Joan I. is a Gothic wayside cross erected in memory of King Joan I, who died at Castell de Foixà in 1396. Can Ferrer-Pagès, also known as Can Ribot, is a 16th-century farmhouse with Gothic and Renaissance windows. According to J. Botet i Sisó, the church of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes was transferred to the Knights Templar at the end of the 12th century. According to Miret i Sans, a commandery of the Hospitaller Order already existed in Sant Llorenç de les Arenes in 1236.

Archaeology

The Sidillà archaeological site comprises a Roman villa, a funerary building, a church, a necropolis and a settlement with a chronology ranging from the Roman period to the beginning of the 12th century. Archaeological excavations at Sidillà revealed evidence of a Roman origin for the site. The Sidillà archaeological site is an open-air site surrounded by nature. Sant Romà de Sidillà is a pre-Romanesque church with a single-nave structure, a barrel vault and a trapezoidal apse.

Routes and Water

A 3-km cycling loop runs from Sant Joan de Foixà to the Creu del Rei Joan I., Castell de La Vila and onwards to La Sala. From Sant Llorenç de les Arenes, a 3-km cycle route runs past the church of Sant Llorenç, along the farmhouse path and the remains of Sansromans to Sidillà. A signposted route from La Sala d'Abaix to Sidillà and Sansromans is 5.6 km long. Organised kayaking trips offer a way to experience the Ter at Foixà.

Traditions

The Festa Major of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes includes an evening dance, a mass and a closing dance. The Festa Major of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes is traditionally celebrated on 10 August; the events have been moved to the weekend closest to this date.

Other Places

Other destinations on this page: Selva, La Vall D'en Bas, Sant Miquel De Campmajor, Corçà, Maçanet De La Selva, Massanes, Siurana, Parlavà

To the higher-level travel overview: Girona.