16km/10mi northwest of Bañolas on C 150, on the Río Fluvia (Catalan Riu Fluvià), is Besalú (alt. 151m/495ft), a little town which has preserved its medieval character. In the center of the old town is the arcaded Plaza Mayor (Catalan Plaça Major).
Castellfullit, 16km/10mi west of Besalú on C 150, is fantastically situated on a spur of basalt which falls almost vertically down to the Riu Fluvià. Near the outermost tip of the crag, high above the abyss, is the old church.
On the road to the medieval bridge spanning the Fluvià, on the right, is a Jewish ritual bath (mikwe). The bridge, which was rebuilt in 1315, has a defensive tower in the middle and a gate with a portcullis at the end nearest the town.
South of the Plaça Major is the massive church of San Pedro, one of the finest Romanesque churches in Catalonia. The columns on either side of the middle window in the otherwise undecorated west front have richly carved figural capitals and are flanked by two figures of lions. Opposite the church is a handsome mansion, the Casa Cornelià.
Northwest of the Plaça Major is the Late Romanesque parish church of San Vicente, with a 16th century tower. On the southeast side is the fine Porta de Sant Rafael, with a round-headed arch and figural capitals.
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Medieval Bridge, Besalu
