Banyoles

Banyoles is a municipality and the capital of the Pla de l'Estany region. It is located halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains.

The main attraction of the town of Banyoles is Lake Banyoles, one of the largest natural karst lakes in Catalonia. And it is likely that the origin of its name, "balneum" (bath), comes from this lake.

Its origins are ancient, with evidence dating back to prehistoric times. One example is the prehistoric jawbone that was discovered, one of the most important human fossils on the Iberian Peninsula. Another example is the remains of an ancient settlement of farmers and herders dating back more than 7,200 years, which make up the Neolithic Park of La Draga. This site is one of the earliest Neolithic settlements in Europe (5300-500 BC) and also one of the most important, thanks to the excellent state of preservation of numerous wooden objects, hut pillars, and organic remains. Its location in an area with permanent humidity, currently partially submerged by the waters of the Estany lake, is particularly noteworthy. Also very close to Banyoles is the Roman villa of Vilauba, where terracotta remains, among other artifacts, have been found.

However, it wasn't until the 9th century that the present-day town began to take shape. It grew up around the Benedictine monastery of Sant Esteve, likely built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. The town continued to expand in the surrounding area, reaching as far as the church of Santa Maria dels Turers. Thus, the town was marked by the presence of the monks until their expulsion in the 19th century.

Furthermore, in the 12th century, thanks to the construction of the irrigation channels that brought water from the Estany reservoir to the town center, Banyoles was already an important rag-making center, reaching its peak during the 13th and 14th centuries. Banyoles boasted the rag-making workshops along the main irrigation channel, the white mills, the dye works, and the flour mills. Part of this industrial heritage can still be seen today along the Rec Major Irrigation Route. By the end of the 15th century, the city wall, which had been protecting the growing population within its boundaries, was finally completed.

From the 14th century onwards, Banyoles suffered a severe decline that lasted until the 18th century, when it was one of the main producers of hemp textiles. However, the crisis soon arrived, and in the 19th century, agriculture and livestock farming became important.

Today Banyoles is a restless and active city where a highly unusual sense of civic pride is clearly perceived: the pride of being from Banyoles.

The uniqueness of Banyoles lies in the combination of a unique natural space and a vibrant urban center full of culture and car-free, full of emblematic shops, historic buildings, orchards, irrigation ditches and washhouses.

Several routes through the natural area will bring you closer to the landscapes, fauna and flora of the Estany de Banyoles.

On the other hand, some tours through the center of Banyoles will allow you to discover the history of the city and its unique features.

Visit the website turisme.banyoles.cat or visit us at the Tourist Office to not miss any details of Banyoles.

Places of interest

• L'Estany de Banyoles
• Neolithic Park of La Draga
• Roman villa of Vilauba
• Benedictine Monastery of Sant Esteve
• The church of Santa Maria dels Turers
• Irrigation ditches
• Rec Major Route
• Itineraries through the natural space
• Tours of the center of Banyoles
• Tourist Office