Sant Feliu de Pallerols – Volcanoes, Mills and Tradition

The entire municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols belongs to the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa. The southern part of the municipality of Sant Feliu de Pallerols belongs to the Espai d’Interès Natural del Collsacabra. This means that the municipality brings together the extensive volcanic landscape of La Garrotxa and the distinctive natural area of Collsacabra.

Nature

The Brugent River runs through the town of Sant Feliu de Pallerols and historically shaped it as an area with numerous mills, particularly grain and cloth mills. At Puig Roig, a truncated volcanic vent can be observed. Magma solidified in this vent, resulting in an outcrop of compact basalt. The Volcà de Sant Marc is horseshoe-shaped and open towards the northeast. The geological formations stand directly alongside traces of the historic use of the Brugent’s water. Sant Feliu de Pallerols therefore presents its natural setting and local history not as separate themes, but as part of a landscape shaped by volcanoes, the river course and the tradition of milling.

Castell de Colltort is located in the western part of the municipality. It offers views of the Parc Natural de la Zona volcànica de la Garrotxa and some of its characteristic volcanic cones. The view from the castle thus connects the western part of the municipality with the volcanic formations of the nature park.

Routes

Route 22 starts and ends at the former railway station of Sant Feliu, which now serves as a tourist information office. The starting and finishing point is therefore at a historic railway building that also has a present-day information function. Route 24 leads to Castell d’Hostoles. Castell d’Hostoles is considered a viewpoint over the Hostoles Valley. The two routes thus provide access to different destinations within the municipality: one starts at the former railway station, while the other leads to a castle above the valley.

Culture and History

The first documented mention of the parish church of Sant Feliu de Pallerols dates back to 1039. The Cases de la Sagrera formed a settlement around the parish church in the 12th and 13th centuries. This settlement was triangular, and up to 20 families settled there. The town’s history thus extends from the medieval mention of the church through the development of the settlement to the surviving traces of buildings and mills.

The Molí de la Conqueta was built in 1310. It is one of the best-preserved mills in Sant Feliu de Pallerols. The restored Molí de la Conqueta is recommended as a place where visitors can learn how a water-powered mill works. This example allows the building’s history, state of preservation and former use of hydropower to be considered together.

Tradition

The Ball dels Cavallets, Gegants i Mulassa is the central performance of the Festa Major of Sant Feliu de Pallerols. On 18 May 1999, the Generalitat de Catalunya recognized the Ball dels Cavallets, Gegants i Mulassa as a Festa Tradicional d’Interès Nacional. The town’s festival culture is therefore connected both with the Festa Major and with an explicitly designated recognition by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Open more places via the direct links to Fontanilles, Garriguella, El Port De La Selva, Avinyonet De Puigventós, Cruïlles, Vidreres, Aiguaviva and Pals.

For the higher-level travel overview: Girona.