Sant Joan Castle, top of the mountain in Blanes, South Costa Brava, Spain

Just for that beautiful scenic view, which covers 360 degrees, worths the climb up the castle, easily accessible by car. From the old castle, documented in 1002, is preserved the defense tower, about 15 meters high by 8 meters outside diameter, and a fragment of the wall.

Views of Blanes from Sant Joan Castle. Sa Palomera rocks in front of the beach

Like many other castles on the coast at the time, the building was originally built as a defense, especially against attacks from the sea, and more specifically of the pirates. Already in the XIVth century also formed part of the set of castles and fortifications, built with the aim of defending Barcelona to the north, in order that they could communicate (by sound or smoke signals) to reach the city. This group of castles was called the Tordera line (referring to the river which crosses Blanes).

Sant Joan Tower, i Blanes, ancient witness against coastal piracy in the past

The tower has undergone many stories during its history. Before being rehabilitated in 1958, had served as military optical telegraph station during the XIXth century and even as a refuge in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Today, however, the castle shows itself in good condition for visitors.

View from the Castle of Sant Joan archs

The tower is visible from practically any point in Blanes, and road access also allows the beautiful views of the village, its beaches and the sea at our feet. The mountain itself is also home to the Sant Joan Hermitage, which for lack of space was built outside the fortifications, probably in the XIIIth century.

Sant Joan Hermitage, original from the XIIIth century, was built outside of the castle, due to lack of space

Views from the Mas Ventós scenic viewpoint, in Palau-Saverdera, Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

Mas Ventós is in the same access road that leads to the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. Therefore, if you travel to this wonderful medieval building you’ll pass by in front of this scenic viewpoint. It is an idyllic place to rest. Located amid the mountains of Rodes (also called the Verdera Mountains), in Cap de Creus, is a place of absolute calm.

The beautiful landscape allows us to reach from Castelló d’Empúries until the Castle of Sant Salvador, even reaching the summit of the Canigó mountain. The viewpoint is shaped like a half circle and his vision is completely open, without any artificial or natural barrier that prevent us from looking at the landscape in all its glory.

Map to recognize places from the Mirador de Más Ventós, near Roses, Costa Brava, Spain

The Natural Park of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, Empuriabrava and Roses village the are other points easily recognizable from this place, some 460 meters above sea level.

But this corner has also a curious and interesting environment. Its name comes from the old farmhouse next to him, inserted into a playground and picnic zone. A perfect place to spend a few hours with the family next to a building of uncertain date but in any case before the XVIIIth century. It was remodeled by its owners, the Dukes of Medinacelli in 1878 and remained occupied until the middle of last century. Today it is possible to recognize inside the oven.

Ancient farmhouse Mas Ventós still stays next to the viewpoint esplanade

And that’s not all. For those who like to walk, Mas Ventós is the beginning of a beautiful route, low difficulty and of about 1 hour duration, always with views to the sea, leading to Sant Onofre Hermitage, bright white little church situated on a rock, dating back at least 1362. Every second Saturday in May a pilgrimage is organised towards it, which brings together local resident of Palau-Saverdera and other visitors. From this chapel you get another beautiful view of the Empordà.

Foot trail that leads to the Sant Onofre Hermitage from Mas Ventós viewpoint

This wonderful place inspired Jaume Bonaterra i Dabau (1898-1985) the composition of one of the most popular sardanas (the typical catalan dance and music) in the repertoire: “Sota el Mas Ventós” (“Under Mas Ventós”).

Sant Onofre Hermitage, on a rock

Begur Castle, in Girona, Costa Brava, Spain

Although Iberian civilisation remains have been found on the same mountain, the origins of the castle dates back to the XIth century, when the feudal lord, Arnust of Begur, built this on one of the highest mountains of the village for the strategic position and the good views it provided. The building passed through different owners until King Pere IV the Ceremonious sells it to the Cruïlles family in 1360, which retains it until 1604, when Baron Carles de Vilademany Cruïlles sold it to city council of Begur, a very important fact, because it no longer returned to private hands again.

As can be seen, despite its charm and beauty, Begur Castle only keeps its foundations. Its current state is the result of its historical facts, a price that had to pay for its excellent strategic location.

Panomaric view got from Begur, in Girona, Costa Brava. Begur Castle is on the right side.

The castle has suffered during history three major destructions. The first one, during Catalan Civil War (1468), the second during the raid led by the French Duc de Noailles, in 1694. And the last and so far the final one, during the spanish War of the independence against the French, in 1810.

The current state of the castle, with the top decorated with beautiful merlons, is a delicate restoration work carried out during the XXth century. The entrances have also been conditioned so that it is now possible to visit even for people with limited mobility or moving in a wheelchair. There are no interior places to visit on the castle.

From the top of Begur Castle you'll have some help to identify the geographical Ampurdán points around

The view is absolutely outstanding. At the summit visitors will also find a beautiful sculpted ceramic map on which they will identify the different points of the landscape visible from this beautiful Ampurdán scenic view: the Medas islands, the bay of Roses, the Pyrenees (mountain of Canigó), Palamós, Sa Riera…

From the Begur Castle you get excellent views of Sa Riera beach, Medes Islands and the Bay of Roses

The Semáforo, in Cape of Begur, ancient maritime communications building

To get to Cape de Begur from the center of the village of Begur take the street Camí del Mar and then Cami del Semàfor. The latter is a paved road that was created when the building was inaugurated. It is in good condition but you should go with caution, since it is narrow and the traffic is two way. Once we reach the end of it, near the sea, we park our vehicle in the Cap de Begur urbanisation and walk about 5 minutes through a comfortable path, where we’ll see from the beginning, the building.

Cape of Begur offers excellent views of the coastal Begur Massif

Before reaching the gate of the fence, about 100 meters, we enjoy an excellent scenic view of the south of Cape de Begur, which directly overlooks the Aiguablava Bay. A tunnel excavated through a rock leads us to another curious viewpoint overlooking the sea.

A hundred meters before arriving to the Semàfor fence, to the right, you'll find this tunnel excavated into the rock whick offers great scenic views to the sea

The Semàfor is currently a disused building. However, since its opening in 1891 until the 70′s it has been commissioned to provide guidance to maritime ships in the area. Today the tasks it was devoted have been automated and satellite technology has managed to supply their duties.

In spite of being in disuuse, the Semàfor building stays in a very good structural condition

However, at the time, the creation of this service was quite an event for the village of Begur. In dispute with Palafrugell, which proposed the Sant Sebastià Lighthouse location, it was finally delivered to Begur so that December 10th 1891 the mayor of Begur, Josep Font, on behalf of King Alfonso XIII, inaugurated the electrosemaphorical station. A popular party at the Casino Union Bagurense was organised to celebrate this historical achievement for the village.

Ancient illustration of Semáforo in Cape of Begur, beginning XXth century

Sant Elm Chapel and viewpoint

In 1908 the Catalan journalist Ferran Agulló (1863-1933), in a visit to this place, would have uttered the words ‘Costa Brava’ to refer to this and similar landscapes of the Girona coast. He also wrote an article in September 12th of that year, in newspaper La Veu, where he explains the reason about this name. A monolith in the esplanade of the viewpoint reminds us of this origin.

The chapel and the viewpoint are on an ancient fortification. Perhaps that’s the reason why the French army destroyed it in 1696. The present building dates from the restoration in 1723, when it was devoted to the “señora del Buen Viaje” (Good Journey Virgin), and after the Spanish Civil War it was restored again.

Commemorative plaque about the origin of the name 'Costa Brava' to this region of Catalonia, in 1928

The views provided by this hill are truly extraordinary. To the north, a panorama that extends from Tossa de Mar to Palamós. To the south we can see Sant Feliu de Guíxols beach.

Impressive views to the South Costa Brava from Sant Elm viewpoint

The chapel opens to the public only during the day of Good Journey Virgin and also during the guided tours organized by the official Tourist Board of Sant Feliu de Guíxols.