Discover Biure: Bridge, Church and Heritage

Those looking for hotels in Biure can get a sense of the destination through its specific cultural sites and trails. The town brings together named examples of architectural history, routes along the Ricardell, and designated mountain-biking trails. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you are more interested in historic architecture, local heritage sites or a trail. Biure has a point of interest for each of these themes.

Bridge, Church and Castell

The medieval bridge of Biure is in the town centre, on the eastern side of the municipality, crossing the Ricardell. It is included in Catalonia’s Architectural Heritage Inventory. Its construction can be identified by a specific detail: the bridge has a single shallow-arch span.

Sant Esteve de Biure is protected as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest and is first mentioned in a document dating from 1107. The church has a single nave, side chapels and a polygonal apse. A single-nave building has one main nave; the side chapels complement the church interior, while the apse forms its end. At Sant Esteve, both the architectural layout and the early written record are of interest.

The Castell de Biure is designated a Cultural Asset of National Interest. The surviving remains consist of two sections of wall arranged at right angles to each other. Comparing the protection designations, the church’s local status sits alongside the Castell’s national status; the surviving walls also provide a specific indication of the Castell’s architectural form.

Local History and Remembrance

Can Sans adds a former use of the site to its historic associations: it was a farmhouse and an olive-oil mill. The Pierre Bayle monument is also connected with Biure’s history. According to documents and local memory, the site is associated with General Dugommier’s command post and with the mortal wounding of the drummer Pierre Bayle.

Trails along the Ricardell and Mountain-Biking Routes

The Camí de la Font d’en Buixó is a walking trail about two kilometres long. It follows the Ricardell from the town centre of Biure to a spring. La Fonteta is described as a separate natural point of interest: a natural spring that flows into the Ricardell.

There are several different mountain-biking routes to choose from. The G-05 Salines-Bassegoda routes pass through Biure and other nearby towns and are well signposted. Mountain-biking Route 17 connects Pont de Molins with the Ermita del Roure in Biure, then returns to Pont de Molins. Mountain-biking Route 18 follows the Ricardell through a riverside woodland that is lush for most of the year thanks to the spring rains. The options therefore differ in their character: a network of trails through several towns, a route that returns to Pont de Molins, and a route along the river.

Mountain-biking Route 18 was also affected by the 2012 fire; until the route has been restored, it is recommended that you do not ride it without GPS. Check the route conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to take this route.

Discover more destinations: Beuda, Fontanilles, Sant Julià del Llor, Espolla, Brunyola, Sant Martí De Llémena, Terrades, Sant Feliu De Pallerols

For the broader travel overview: Girona.