Discover Ullastret: Iberian city and medieval heritage

Ullastret brings together a large Iberian archaeological site and the historic streetscape of a medieval village. The Iberian city is the largest Iberian settlement discovered to date in Catalonia; its wall is one of the best-preserved and most spectacular Iron Age walls in Catalonia. At the Ullastret archaeological complex, only the Puig de Sant Andreu site is open to visitors. The museum, walk and village history each offer a different focus. The size refers to the settlement, while the preservation comparison refers to its wall.

Iberian city and museum

On Puig de Sant Andreu, the monographic museum’s permanent exhibition presents objects from excavations at sites within the archaeological complex. The finds are accompanied by a wide-ranging thematic overview of Iberian culture. Topics include coinage and trade, beliefs, urban planning and architecture, as well as language and writing, agriculture, livestock farming and crafts. A visit to the museum thus covers both material finds and different aspects of life in the Iberian city.

A 3D reconstruction lets visitors explore Ullastret’s streets as they looked around 250 BC. This presentation complements the view of excavated objects with a picture of the streetscape at the time. Those interested in urban planning and architecture will also find these topics among the exhibition themes; trade, beliefs, writing and agriculture represent other areas of Iberian culture.

A walk and the medieval village

The Ruta Josep Pla complements a museum visit with a walk across Puig de Sant Andreu that brings together archaeological, literary and natural heritage. This offers a different focus alongside the permanent exhibition: the route connects several dimensions of heritage. A special edition starts at the Iberian archaeological site and explores the medieval village. This special format is scheduled periodically, so check the dates in advance if you are planning to take part.

Architecture and recuit de drap

Ullastret’s old town is protected as a Site of National Cultural Interest in the Historic Complex category. Its designation was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on 11 June 2014. A covered Gothic loggia adds to the picture of the town’s architectural history: its wooden beams are supported by two pointed arches. The wall belongs to the Iron Age city, while the loggia is Gothic, making it possible to compare two different architectural periods. The protection category applies to the old town as a complex; the loggia is a single architectural feature of Ullastret.

Local food culture offers another way to explore the area. In Ullastret, recuit de drap is handmade by artisan cheesemakers; it is ready to taste and ideal for sharing. Visits to the workshop end with a tasting of recuit de drap, a fresh cheese eaten as a dessert. The handcrafting describes how it is made; the workshop tasting offers an opportunity to try the cheese.

Discover more destinations: Terrades, Isòvol, Pardines, Lloret De Mar, L'armentera, Sant Climent Sescebes, Foixà, Cabanes.

Return to the main travel overview: Girona.