Pals Explained

Pals
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Spain Province of Girona#Spain Catalonia#Spain
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Spain
Subdivision Type1:Autonomous community
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:Girona
Subdivision Type3:Comarca
Subdivision Name3:Baix Empordà
Coordinates:41.9717°N 3.15°W
Elevation M:55
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:25.8
Population Demonym:Palsencs/Palsenques
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CET
Utc Offset:+1
Timezone Dst:CEST
Utc Offset Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:17124
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Sílvia Monar Aynier (2015)[2]
Leader Party:ERC

Pals (in Catalan; Valencian pronounced as /ˈpals/) is a medieval town in Catalonia, northern Spain, a few kilometres from the sea in the heart of the Bay of Emporda on the Costa Brava. It lies on the C31 PalafrugellL'Estartit road.[3]

The GR 92 long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, passes through the town. Pals lies on an inland stage of the path, between Torroella de Montgrí and Begur. To the north, towards Torroella, the path passes through Palau-sator, and to the south it heads directly to Begur.[3]

Main sights

Pals has a historic centre on a hill surrounded by plains with a medieval Romanesque tower built between the 11th and 13th centuries, known as the Torre de les Hores (Tower of the Hours). A clock tower, it is high.[4]

The Gothic Quarter of the town has been substantially restored and there are cobbled streets interrupted by semicircular arches, façades with pointed arched windows and stone balconies. The town wall contains four square towers which date from the 4th century. The Josep Pla viewpoint (from which can be seen the fields of Empordà and the Medes Islands), the Plaça Major, the tombs in the Carrer Major and the Romanesque church of Sant Pere are other features of the town.[5] There is an archaeology museum.

On the edge of the main town is Masos de Pals, which has a thriving urban centre and is popular as a location for holiday homes. ("Pals' Beach") is also a popular holiday location.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El municipi en xifres: Pals. Statistical Institute of Catalonia. 2015-11-23.
  2. Web site: Ajuntament de Pals. Generalitat of Catalonia. 2015-11-13.
  3. Empordà Costa Brava - Nord . 1:30,000 . Editorial PIOLET i Consell Comarcal del Baix Empordà . March 2012.
  4. Web site: Pals. Lonely Planet. 1 February 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140204001719/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/catalonia/pals. 4 February 2014.
  5. Book: Spain Green Guide Michelin 2012-2013. 1 January 2012. Michelin. 978-2-06-718252-3. 410.