Discover Albons: church, watchtower and Sant Grau

Explore Albons through its architectural history and the routes to Sant Grau and Puig Segalar. In the village, a Romanesque parish church, traces of medieval fortifications, and a cultural centre in the former rectory come together. There are also paths through wooded hillsides and far-reaching views across the Empordà plain. When planning your visit, you can focus on different things: the historic village, the Sant Grau chapel, or the landscape around Puig Segalar.

Romanesque church and medieval village

Sant Cugat d’Albons stands at the highest point in the village. The Romanesque parish church was built in two phases: the first dates to the 10th and 11th centuries, and the second to the 12th and 13th centuries. This sequence brings the church’s long history of construction to life. Its position at the highest point also makes it a prominent landmark in the village.

El castell also brings together several periods. At the beginning of the 13th century, it is recorded as belonging to the Torrent family. The large portal with its voussoir arch dates from the 14th and 15th centuries and can be seen from the open square in front of the building. In the early 1980s, El castell was renovated and converted into several apartments while retaining its structure. The courtyard is not open to visitors; the square in front is the best place to view the portal.

In the medieval centre, the only known tower of the former fortifications is also their best-preserved structure. The rectangular watchtower still stands to a height of about five metres. It has two loopholes on its north side and three on its west side. These details give the building a distinctive form. You can also trace the line of the former fortifications along the east and south sides of Albons: the urban layout and street names help you recognise the outlines of the old structure in the village today.

Sant Grau and Puig Segalar

The simple Romanesque Capella de Sant Grau stands halfway up Puig Segalar, surrounded by pine and holm oak woodland. A path from La Creu leads up the hill and continues towards Garrigoles. The tourist route “Ruta 1: Albons. El Puig Segalar, gran vista de la llanura ampurdanesa” passes through pine trees to the chapel and then climbs to Puig Segalar. From there, you can look out across the Empordà plain. The chapel and the viewpoint are highlights of the same landscape route, while the path from La Creu offers another described way up the hill.

The annual festival calendar also features Sant Grau. On 13 October, a celebration is held in honour of the saint, and residents of Albons and the surrounding area climb the old path to the chapel. The tradition connects the village with the route through the landscape and with a specific date in autumn.

Culture and festivals in Albons

The Espai d’Art Pujolboira is located in the former rectory next to the church. The cultural centre was established in memory of Ramon Pujolboira. The Fundació Pujolboira organises visits for school classes and groups; arrange these before your trip. The site adds a distinct cultural focus to a visit to the church, without requiring you to plan an interior visit to El castell.

Another event is the Revetlla de Sant Joan on 23 June. In Albons, it includes the arrival of the Canigó Flame, the lighting of bonfires, and dancing. The programme may vary. If you are interested in the celebration, check the date and programme details before planning your trip around it.

Continue by bicycle

Albons is also on cycling stage “Tram 6”, which leads to the village. From Albons, the stage provides a connection to Alt Empordà or an opportunity to explore more of Baix Empordà. This adds a regional perspective to the local walking routes: Sant Grau and Puig Segalar represent the surrounding landscape, while Tram 6 connects two areas of the Empordà.

Discover more destinations: Mont-Ras, Biure, Parlavà, Roses, Santa Llogaia D'àlguema, Caldes De Malavella, Juià, Vilamacolum

For the broader travel guide: Girona.