Foixà between river landscape and historic heritage

The landscape of Foixà includes rocky hills, the characteristic forest of Terraprim, an agricultural alluvial plain and the River Ter. The different places and routes in Foixà offer a variety of highlights.

Castles, churches and architectural history

Castell de La Vila de Foixà is documented as early as 1019; its chapel is dated to 1194. Most of the present-day structure dates from the 13th century. These details mark different points in time: the earliest documentation, the dating of the chapel and the period when most of the present-day structure was built. The Gothic Creu del Rei Joan I was erected in memory of King Joan I, who died at the castle in 1396.

Sant Joan de Foixà is a Gothic, single-nave church from the 16th century with a semicircular apse. Sant Romà de Sidillà, by contrast, is pre-Romanesque. This church also has a single nave, along with a barrel vault and a trapezoidal apse. The comparison shows two distinct architectural forms: in particular, the apses are either semicircular or trapezoidal.

Can Ferrer-Pagès, also known as Can Ribot, is a 16th-century farmhouse with Gothic and Renaissance windows. The parish church of Santa Maria dates from the 18th century; an earlier building is documented from the end of the 13th century. The history of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes can also be placed in a historical timeline: according to J. Botet i Sisó, the church was transferred to the Templar Order at the end of the 12th century. According to Miret i Sans, a commandery of the Hospitaller Order was already established there in 1236.

Sidillà and its archaeological layers

The archaeological site of Sidillà is an open-air site surrounded by nature. It includes a Roman villa, a funerary building, a church, a necropolis and a settlement. Its chronology spans from the Roman period to the beginning of the 12th century. Excavations have yielded evidence of a Roman origin for the site. If you are planning a visit, check the current access conditions and protection rules in advance.

The different time periods help distinguish the historical themes: in Foixà, dated buildings and recorded events sit alongside an archaeological site whose chronology spans several centuries. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on individual buildings, the history of Sidillà or both.

Cycling routes, paths and the River Ter

Foixà’s historic network of paths makes for peaceful sightseeing on foot or by bicycle. A 3 km cycling loop runs from Sant Joan de Foixà to Creu del Rei Joan I, then to Castell de La Vila and on to La Sala. Another 3 km cycling route starts in Sant Llorenç de les Arenes and passes the church of Sant Llorenç, the path of the farmhouses and the remains of Sansromans before reaching Sidillà. Both routes have the same stated length, but different starting points and destinations. Markings and surface conditions on the described cycling routes may change; check them before setting out.

Another signposted route from La Sala d'Abaix to Sidillà and Sansromans is 5.6 km long. Organised kayaking trips also offer a way to experience the Ter near Foixà. Providers and availability may change; check the current options in advance. This gives you a choice of different activities when planning your trip: cycling on the routes described here, walking the historic network of paths or taking an organised kayaking trip.

Festa Major of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes

The Festa Major of Sant Llorenç de les Arenes includes an evening dance, a mass and a final dance. Traditionally, the feast day is 10 August; the events are held on the weekend closest to that date. The exact programme may vary from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and programme for the relevant year.

When choosing a hotel in Foixà, these activities can help you decide what to focus on: buildings and archaeological history, paths and cycling routes, an experience on the River Ter or the Festa Major. You can decide which will shape your trip based on your interests and the current conditions for each activity.

Discover more destinations: Rupià, Llagostera, Guils De Cerdanya, Palamós, Vilamacolum, La Jonquera, Llanca, Massanes.

For the wider travel overview: Girona.