Peralada: Monasteries, Wine and Trails

Culture and History

In Peralada, the Romanesque cloister of Sant Domènec is open to the public; it dates from the 12th century and is the surviving part of an Augustinian monastery founded in the second half of the 11th century. The Museu del Castell de Peralada is located in a former Carmelite monastery dating from the 14th century. The Convento del Carmen has a Gothic cloister and an equally Gothic church from the 14th century with an exceptional polychrome wooden ceiling. The Portal del Comte was the most important entrance gate to the second fortified enclosure of Peralada, built in the last decade of the 13th century.

During excavations at the medieval hospital of Peralada, 25 gold coins from the 15th century were found; they are displayed at the Centre de Turisme Cultural Sant Domènec. The Library of Peralada contains 80,000 volumes and traces its origins back to the library of the Counts of Peralada. The Plaza Gran has been the heart of Peralada since the Middle Ages.

The chronological span of the evidence ranges from the foundation of the Augustinian monastery in the second half of the 11th century to the exhibition of the 15th-century coins and the library tradition of the Counts of Peralada. The Portal del Comte refers to the second fortified enclosure, while the Convento del Carmen forms another independent building complex with its cloister, church and wooden ceiling.

Wine

The Museu del Castell de Peralada includes a wine museum displaying objects related to wine culture in its various stages. This wine museum was established in the 1960s in a cellar where Peralada wines had previously been produced. A visit to the Nueva Bodega Perelada includes a tasting of three Perelada wines. The Nueva Bodega Perelada was designed by RCR Arquitectes. It is considered Europe's first winery with LEED Gold sustainability certification. The Wine Bar “Celler 1923” offers traditional dishes inspired by those of 1923, paired with wines from the Perelada estate.

Trails and Events

Peralada's Ruta histórica can be followed at your own pace through historic streets and places steeped in history. Peralada has various routes and circular trails that can be explored on foot or by bicycle and are suitable for all audiences. The Festival Perelada takes place in July and August in the medieval castle complex of Peralada. It was founded in 1987.

More Destinations

Find more travel destinations here: Serinyà, Agullana, Campdevànol, Maiá de Montcal, Tortellá, Colera, Palau-Sator, Campdorà.

Nature

Parque del Castillo is a historic park designed by François Duvillers in 1877. Alder trees, kingfishers and otters, among others, can be found in the nature observation area on the Orlina. The Orlina and Llobregat are included in protected areas of the Natura 2000 network and PEIN.

For the overarching travel overview: Girona.