Santa Pau

In the very heart of the Volcanic Area of the Garrotxa there is the Vila Vella, or old centre, of Santa Pau.

An interesting historic site which is built around a square based castle constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries, and the main square, with porticoes and an irregular layout, and with arches of different sizes and with a decidedly mediaeval personality. In the town square there is the church of Santa Maria, a solid 15th century Gothic building, with a single nave and a square bell tower.

In the southern sector of the town, under the protective shade of the castle, there is a set of houses and narrow streets that lead to the Portal del Mar, from where you can contemplate a wonderful view of the valley of Santa Pau.

Fageda d'en Jordà beech wood.

You can make the most of a visit to the town to explore nearby valleys, particularly in the area of the sanctuaries of Mare de Déu dels Arcs and Santa Margarida de la Cot, from where you can see the volcanic cones of Can Simó, Puigsubià, Puigmartinyà and Roca Negra, amongst others.