Vilopriu: Old Town, Castle and Landscape at the Watershed of the Ter and Fluvià

Vilopriu lies on the left bank of the Ter, in a landscape of low, rounded hills. This hilly landscape forms the watershed between the Ter and Fluvià.

Culture

The old town of Vilopriu is grouped around a central core with the church and castle. It forms a unified ensemble of one- or two-storey stone houses. The houses have tiled roofs and were built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

At the centre of the unified ensemble are Sant Pere and the castle. The various construction phases range from the castle’s medieval origins to the houses of the old town built later.

Vilopriu Castle originated in the 12th century. It was remodelled in the 15th century and continues to shape the townscape. It is a rectangular building. It includes a central weapons courtyard, a rectangular tower and sloping walls.

The church of Sant Pere has been documented as a parish church since the 13th century; according to other sources, it is considered to have been a parish church as early as 1078. Some door lintels in the old town bear the names of their owners. They also indicate the owners’ occupation and/or the date of construction.

Culture in the Surrounding Area

Ruïnes d'Empúries, a museum, is located in the surroundings of Vilopriu. Ruïnes d'Empúries is also an archaeological site in this area. The Greek necropolis of El Portitxol is an archaeological site in the surroundings of Vilopriu. Ullastret is also located in the surroundings of Vilopriu and is an archaeological site.

Nature

Puig d'en Brugada is located in the surroundings of Vilopriu and is a summit. Platja del Portitxol is a beach in the surroundings of Vilopriu. Platja del Rec del Molí is also located there and is a beach. Platja de la Devesa is likewise located in the surroundings of Vilopriu and is a beach.

Cycling

The Gran volta pel Baix Empordà cycling route passes through Vilopriu. Other places on this route include Santa Cristina d’Aro, Sant Feliu de Guixols and Palafrugell. It also includes Begur, Torroella de Montgrí, Albons, La Pera, La Bisbal d’Empordà and Calonge.

Transport

Clic.cat is a digitised public on-demand transport service for sparsely populated areas. These areas are not served by regular transport.

Other Places

Other places: Gaüses, Sant Gregori, Viladamat, Maiá de Montcal, Camprodon, Pontós, Campdorà, Vilanant

Festivals

Vilopriu’s main festival takes place for Sant Pere and is celebrated on 29 June. Vilopriu’s smaller festival takes place on a Sunday close to 27 September. 27 September is the feast day of the Sants Metges.

The two festivals mentioned mark different points in the town’s annual calendar: Sant Pere is celebrated on a fixed date, while the smaller festival is linked to a Sunday close to the feast day of the Sants Metges.

To the higher-level travel overview: Girona.