Besalú: Un Viaje al Pasado Medieval de Cataluña

1. El Puente Romanico
2. Jewish quarter and synagogue
3. La Plaza Prat de Sant Pere and Monasterio Benedictino
4. Un paseo por las calles The Middle Ages

Located in the province of Girona, Besalú is a medieval gem that transports its visitors to another time. With its charming cobbled streets, majestic buildings and sturdy Roman bridge straddling the Fluvia River, this town stands out as one of the best-preserved medieval complexes in Catalonia. Its past and monuments tell the history of the city, which was the capital of a prosperous county in the 11th century.

El Puente Romanico

One of Besalu's most iconic components is its 11th-century Roman-style bridge. This bridge, 105 meters long and of solid construction, is the main entrance to the old city. Walking forward, the visitor comes across two defensive towers that guarded the entrance to the city in the Middle Ages. With its magnificent construction, the bridge offers a panoramic view of the river Fluvia and the medieval skyline of Besalu, evoking the atmosphere of the county's ancient capital.

Apart from its architectural beauty, this bridge has an important historical significance considering that it witnessed the prosperity and abundance of Besalu in the Middle Ages. During this period, the county of Besalu played a decisive role in the Catalonia region, positioning itself as a strategic location for trade and defense. Today, the bridge continues to be one of the main tourist attractions and an emblem symbolizing the rich history of the area.

Jewish quarter and synagogue

Besalu is also distinguished by its Jewish heritage and manifests itself in the old Jewish quarter. In 1965, archaeologists found the remains of a synagogue near the river, as well as a 12th-century purification bath (mikwé). This mikvé is one of the few surviving in Europe and symbolizes the role played by the Jewish community in the economy and culture of Besalu.

The mikveh, an underground structure designed for ceremonial purification, was important in Jewish religious practice. This find highlights the amalgamation of different cultures in Besalu and reflects the coexistence between Christians and Jews that existed in the area at that time. A walk through the old Jewish quarter, characterized by its narrow and winding streets, allows the visitor to imagine the daily life and customs of the community living in this part of the city.

La Plaza Prat de Sant Pere and Monasterio Benedictino

La plaza Prat de Sant Pere forms the core of Besalu, a wide and quiet square with arcades that preserve the medieval spirit. The square has a recorded history dating back to the 11th century, when it was a meadow where a cement factory was located. Today, it is a meeting place for residents and visitors, surrounded by craft shops and local products.

The monastery of Sant Pere Benedict, one of the most representative monuments of the square, was founded in 977. Although the church still stands, this structure reflects the church's power and influence in the area. En el frontispicio, dos leones esculpidos en piedra protegen una ventana, representando la fortaleza y la protecta que la Iglesia brindaba a suscreyentes ante las amenazes del paganismo y evil. These lions symbolize the spiritual and physical protection that medieval society received from the Benedictine Church through their observational gestures.

Un paseo por las calles The Middle Ages

This is the explorer of the place. Its narrow and paved streets are lined with local craft shops, where you can find products such as ceramics, textiles and traditional Catalan food. Furthermore, in its corners and squares, it is easy to imagine the bustle of the medieval city at its maximum, with vendors, artisans and pilgrims lining its streets.

Las viviendas de piedra and las fachadas are carefully preserved, al pueblo provides an authentic and tranquil environment. Among the landmarks is the Church of Sant Vicenç, another medieval building that has stood the test of time. The architecture of Besalu represents the grandeur experienced in the past and the recognition of the skill of its architects.