Porqueres Between Nature, Art and History

Porqueres brings together natural features, cultural heritage and art. The municipality offers different starting points when choosing a destination: a forest area on travertine deposits, a lake with seasonally changing water levels, a dolmen with a visible original burial mound, and a forest with erotic sculptures. There are also traces of a former train connection to Girona and a weekly market selling vegetables, fruit, handmade sausages and cheese. If you are looking for hotels in Porqueres, these highlights can help you decide which aspects of the town interest you.

Landscape Between Forest and Water

Les Estunes is a forest area on travertine deposits. Large crevices, caves and passageways shape the terrain. Les Estunes is designated a geotope and is also included in the PEIM. Visitors can follow two forest trails there, in accordance with local guidance. The forest, travertine and distinctive landforms give this area its own character.

Porqueres encompasses a large part of the basin of Lake Estany de Banyoles and several smaller ponds. Platja d’Espolla is an intermittent lake in the Banyoles groundwater system; depending on the season, it may be full or empty. This sets it apart from Les Estunes, with its forest and travertine landscape. At Platja d’Espolla, Triops cancriformes is the best-known aquatic species; it is protected in Catalonia. Anyone interested in the municipality’s nature will find both permanent landforms and a body of water whose appearance can change seasonally.

Activities and a Route with a Specific Distance

The area around L’Estany offers opportunities for walks, nature watching, fishing and running. One route with a clearly stated length is the 6.5-kilometre Volta a l’Estany de Banyoles. It starts at the Centre BTT Porqueres and runs mostly along the cycle path around the lake. This distinguishes the activities mentioned in the area around the lake from this route, whose length and course are specified.

Dolmen, Railway History and Art

The Dolmen de Porqueres is the only dolmen currently known in the municipality. Its original burial mound is still visible. The information about the dolmen thus combines its place in Porqueres with a specific feature of the site: the mound that remains clearly visible.

The former train connection with Girona is also part of the town’s history. The restoration of the old Baixador de Mata and the reconstruction of a passenger carriage commemorate this connection, which operated from 1926 to 1956. These dates refer to the historic train service and define a clear period for this topic.

The Estudi Taller Carles Fontserè includes areas for painting and archives, a library and desk, as well as personal belongings, photographs and works of art. The collection brings together different aspects of artistic work with personal memorabilia and images.

Another artistic highlight is the Bosc de Can Ginebreda. It covers 40,000 square metres and features more than 100 erotic sculptures by the artist Xicu Cabanyes. The size of the site, the number of sculptures and their attribution give this place a distinct profile. Unlike the dolmen and railway history, contemporary art takes centre stage here.

Market and Travel Planning

Porqueres’s weekly market sells vegetables, fruit, handmade sausages and cheese. The selection adds a glimpse of everyday market life in the municipality to its nature and culture highlights. As market details may change, check the current schedule before planning a visit. Porqueres therefore offers a range of starting points for planning a trip: forest and water landscapes, a historic site, art and a weekly market.

Discover more destinations: Pujarnol, Gerona, Ullà, La Vall De Bianya, Cadaqués, Macanet De Cabrenys, Colera, Mieres

For the broader travel overview: Girona.