Besalú

Besalú, in the province of Girona, is a monumental example of the Catalan Middle Ages. Located in the region of La Garrotxa, the town is only steps away from the spectacular scenery of the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa Nature Reserve, on the last spurs of the eastern section of the Pyrenees of Girona. Cobbled streets and façades are the most distinguishable feature of the city centre, as can be seen in many spots. The rich medieval legacy brings the visitor closer to both religious and civil constructions, and to the vestiges of a Sephardic quarter that used to exist in this town during the Middle Ages. Civil architecture works include the 12th-century Romanesque bridge that crosses the Fluvià river; the building of Cùria Real, devoted to law enforcement; and the residence of Cornellà, with a great Romanesque arcaded gallery. Among religious monuments, we must point out the churches of Sant Pere, Santa María, and Sant Vicenç, alternating Romanesque and Gothic elements. Also worthy of note is the lavish ornamentation of the church of Sant Julià (17th century). In addition, in the Jewish quarter we can visit medieval public baths that were devoted to Hebrew ritual ablutions.