Ventalló

In the heart of Alt Empordà, between the fertile lands of the Fluvià and the breezes of the Gulf of Roses, stands Ventalló, a rural municipality with open landscapes that has managed to preserve its Mediterranean essence. With approximately 900 inhabitants and an area of 25 km², Ventalló is a group of small towns and neighborhoods that form a harmonious mosaic of stone, vineyards, olive groves, and forest.

Located just a few kilometers from L'Escala and the coast, the town offers the tranquility of the interior and the proximity of the sea, with a natural setting ideal for walking, cycling, or simply letting yourself be carried away by the slow pace of the Empordà landscape.

A municipality of charming villages

Ventalló is not just a town, but a municipality made up of several neighborhoods with their own unique personality: Pelacalç, Montiró, Calabuig, Viladamat, Llampaies, Belianes, and Valveralla. Each preserves its medieval layout, stone houses with voussoired doorways, and small Romanesque churches that tell centuries of history.

The main center of Ventalló is a series of cobbled streets that converge on the Plaza Mayor, with the parish church as its focal point. The houses, often decorated with flowers and wooden windows, reflect the town's calm and welcoming atmosphere.

A story of earth, wind and stone

Human presence in Ventalló dates back to ancient times. Neolithic remains and Roman vestiges found in the area demonstrate continued occupation. However, historical documentation places the town's origins in the 9th century, when it is first mentioned as Ventaliolone.

During the Middle Ages, the village was part of the county of Empúries, and several noble families—such as the Calabuig and Pelacalç families —built towers and fortified farmhouses to defend themselves from attacks and disputes. Agriculture and livestock have since been the backbone of its economy, along with the production of oil and wine, which is now being revived thanks to small wineries and family cooperatives.

The 17th and 18th centuries were times of consolidation and construction of hermitages and farmhouses, while the 20th century brought a progressive opening to tourism which, without altering its essence, has provided Ventalló with new cultural initiatives and services.

Places of interest

Church of San Vicente de Ventalló

In the center of the village stands the parish church of San Vicente, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, with later renovations. Romanesque in style, it retains a semicircular apse and perfectly carved ashlars. The current, later façade combines Gothic and Baroque elements, a testament to the extensions it has undergone over the centuries.

The temple is the spiritual heart of the town and a meeting point during major festivals and traditional celebrations.

Pelacalç Castle and Church

The small neighborhood of Pelacalç, located on a hill with sweeping views, preserves the compact structure of a medieval fortified village. At its center stands the feudal Pelacalç Castle, with square towers and thick walls. Right next door, the Lombard Romanesque Church of Sant Feliu adds a touch of elegance and serenity to the complex.

The history of the ancient knights and peasants who inhabited the area can still be felt in its narrow alleys.

Church of Santa Eugenia de Montiró

In Montiró, another of the municipality's neighborhoods, stands the small Romanesque church of Santa Eugenia, built in the 11th century. With a single nave and semicircular apse, it preserves simple capitals and a semicircular arch portal.

The setting, surrounded by olive trees and fields, creates one of the most picturesque images of the municipality, especially at sunset.

Calabuig castle and church

Calabuig Castle, documented as early as the 13th century, dominates the Fluvià valley from a small hill. Although it is now privately owned, the remains of towers and walls can still be seen. At the foot of the castle is the Romanesque church of San Miguel de Calabuig, with Baroque renovations.

The complex offers one of the most impressive panoramic views of the area, with the Pyrenees in the background and the Empordà plain at its feet.

Hermitage of San Sebastián

On the outskirts of Ventalló, on a small hill, stands the 17th-century Hermitage of San Sebastián. This chapel is beloved by local residents, who hold a popular pilgrimage there every year. From its surroundings, you can overlook the entire valley and enjoy one of the best sunsets in the area.

Nature, streams and paths

The municipality of Ventalló is crossed by the Valveralla stream and numerous rural roads that connect its neighborhoods. These paths, formerly agricultural trails, have now become hiking and cycling routes much appreciated by visitors.

The Fluvià Natural Park, which borders the southern part of the municipality, is home to a wide variety of bird species, amphibians, and riparian vegetation. The calm waters of the river and the wetlands near Sant Pere Pescador offer ideal routes for wildlife observation and nature photography.

In the northern part, the Pelacalç and Montiró paths lead between almond fields, vineyards and cork oak forests to small natural viewpoints from where you can see the Gulf of Roses.

Ventalló is also a stop on the Empordà Wetlands Route, a route that combines natural and rural heritage in one of the most beautiful settings in the region.

It was windy today

Today, Ventalló is a municipality that combines roots and future. It has managed to maintain its rural identity while promoting sustainability, respectful tourism, and enhancing its heritage.

It's a place to discover without rushing, to walk among olive trees, visit Romanesque churches or simply enjoy the silence and the landscape.

Ventalló is, in essence, an open window to the most authentic Empordà, where time seems to stop to remember the value of the land and the quiet life.