Ullà between the Montgrí Massif and local history

Ullà is located in Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter. Muntanya d’Ullà is a 307.9-metre-high peak of the Montgrí Massif. Nature and local history meet in specific paths, structures and traces left by earlier inhabitants.

Things to do

A circular route through the plain of Ullà and to the Ter weir passes through apple orchards and approaches the River Ter. La Resclosa is located along this circular route and was built in 1679. The route also passes a small air-raid shelter from the Spanish Civil War, located near the airfield’s control hut. Along this same route, landscape, hydraulic engineering and wartime history follow one another directly. When preparing for a circular walk, it is worth checking the current path conditions before setting out.

Getting there

At the Ullà roundabout on the C-31, next to Carrer Major, there are free parking spaces for more than 30 vehicles. If travelling by car, check the current conditions before setting off.

Culture

Santa Maria d’Ullà was consecrated in 1804 and replaced Sant Andreu as the parish church. The Neoclassical church has a cruciform floor plan and a large dome above the transept. Its construction period, floor plan and dome combine to form a distinctive historic building in the townscape.

Mas Xiquet is a large farmhouse with two arcaded galleries at the highest point of Ullà. Víctor Català’s stays at Mas Xiquet and her knowledge of the Montgrí Massif inspired the 1905 modernist novel Solitud. The farmhouse combines its architectural form with the literary history surrounding Víctor Català and the Montgrí Massif. Those interested in culture will find three different connections to local history in the church, farmhouse and novel.

Local history

The portal on Carrer de la Muntanya was probably one of the gates of Ullà’s medieval fortified town centre. Carrer Jeroni Pujol is a narrow, winding lane connecting Carrer Major with Carrer de Sant Antoni; most of the houses were built in the 17th century. The present-day design of Font-d’Ullà Square may date from the 15th or 16th century. The portal, lane and square show local history through preserved forms: a possible entrance to the fortified centre, a connection between streets and a square with a possibly older design.

Prehistoric tools and the remains of animals hunted by Homo heidelbergensis were found in Cau del Duc d’Ullà and at other sites in the mountains; these people stayed there temporarily. The finds range from tools and hunted animals to evidence of these people’s temporary presence. For visits to historic and prehistoric sites, it is advisable to check current opening hours and accessibility information before travelling.

Other destinations to browse include Toses, Hostalric, Romanyà d'Empordà, Besalú, Les Planes D'hostoles, Vall-Llobrega, Urús and Vallfogona de Ripollès.

For the broader travel overview: Girona.