Stunning Santa Pau and Castellfollit de la Roca
When together with some awesome friends (also bloggers) we were getting under the skin of the hidden gems of Catalonia and staying at Castell de Rocaberti (yes, we did stay in a castle!), one of the trips we were supposed to do was hot air balloon.
Waking up super early was a challenge, especially after long chatting the night before, but for all of us it was supposed to be our first time in a hot air balloon. And you know how it is with the first timers, no matter what, it makes us excited. But when we got there all sleepy, it was way too windy. The beautiful sunrise saved the situation though.
sunrise on the way
Santa Pau
We needed a back up plan for some 2 hours as the weather didn’t let us go hot air ballooning. Richard, the organizer of our trip from Charming villas, decided to show us a bit from Santa Pau, a little town I’d never heard of until that morning. Walking through the silent streets with almost everything closed at these early morning hours, gave this medieval village a unique touch.
Little squares, a single nave Gothic church of Santa Maria, many arches, quirky statues along the streets, sleeping cats, flowers at the balconies and the famous porticoed square Firals dels Bous which in 1297 was the place of the local market. We walked it all around, and even around a castle built in the 13th and 14th ct until we got to the viewpoint from which we could see Roses bay and the Ser river valley.
got to Santa Pau
porticoed square Firals dels Bou
medieval streets
under the arches
strolling along narrow medieval streets
melancholic balconies
a medieval house
a local woman on the balcony
an old mail box
one of the cool statues in the village
the view of the fields and houses around
on the way to the castle
Santa Pau castle
a wooden balcony
the last photo of Santa Pau
Castellfollit de la Roca
After Santa Pau, we drove to Castellfollit de la Roca, a little enchanting town with 40 m high basalt cliff formed by 2 lava flows which originated from the volcanoes Beguda and Olot. The old town dating from the Middle Ages is constructed mainly from the volcanic rock – buildings, street furniture and also the paving slabs. Basalt is the rock formed when the lava cools so the local inhabitants used it as it was in abundance in the area.
I remember we strolled along the medieval streets (for the first time ever I’ve seen a defibrillator machine at the street!), all looking similarly stunning and very silent as we visited early morning during the weekend. Then we made our way to the Sant Salvador church from the 13th century where temporary exhibitions take place nowadays. The elder woman at the door of the church who was in charge of the exhibition was wearing her rulers. Super funny and chilled out. Who would expect such a thing in an old Catholic church? Definitely not me!
Different carpets, paintings and little statues of Rubens looking women were hanging on the walls around the church. But it’s not the only thing that made the church interesting. Between 100 – 200 steps go to the Bell tower with the panoramic view of the whole town, the basalt cliff and also the Fluvia river valley.
Castellfollit de la Roca town hall
coat of arms
defibrillator at the street
medieval streets
loved this funny shaped building
inside Sant Salvador church
inside
part of temporary exhibition
a Rubens looking woman
another statue
a woman with curlers
the view from Sant Salvador bell tower
through one of the windows
the medieval town of Castellfollit de la Roca
the view of the Fluvia river
*** It took me 4 hours to write this post about Santa Pau and Castellfollit de la Roca.
Jaume Marín
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Great post!
I think Santa Pau got so much charm. and to be sorrounded by volcaoes I think it’s really magic.
Glad you enjoyed!
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Definitely. Santa Pau is a super pretty place.
Crazy sexy fun traveler
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Comment@ Alex | Partial Parallax:
Thanks, Alex :) We had a chance to explore the towns and then a few days after to do the hot air ballooning too :)
Alex | Partial Parallax
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Very quaint little medieval town, looks fantastic to explore when no one is about. It’s a shame about the ballooning but luckily you got to explore this gem! Some great pictures although the defibrillator is a little odd to have on the street.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Comment@ Hogga:
Funny huh? :)
Hogga
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hahaha love that doll