Sights of Alt Empordà

The Norfeu Tower (Torre Norfeu), the lone structure standing on the mountain between the coves Cala Pelosa and Cala Joncols some ten kilometres from Roses, was built between 1598 and 1599 as part of the chain of watchtowers spread along the coast between Roses and Cadaqués to protect the locals from pirates.

Originally, the tower had two floors and a battlement protected by a serrated parapet. It was 7.5 m tall and contained a wooden staircase used by its garrison to move between floors and embrasures to open fire on the enemy. The ground floor of the tower was equipped with a water reservoir.

Most structures of this kind that were built away from residential areas slowly unravel and deteriorate, unable to resist nature’s claim or visitors seeking construction material to steal. As evidenced by the archives of the parish church of Cadaqués, it didn’t take long for the tower of Norfeu to meet its demise—a hit by lightning in the 17th century rendered it unusable.

The climb towards the tower Norfeu begins from the point with the coordinates 42.247698, 3.247532, found on the highway Carretera de Montjoi leading out of Roses.

The natural park Aiguamolls (Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà) is situated in a hollow between the estuaries of Muga and Fluvià in the Costa Brava, occupying 4730 hectares, 825 of which are conservation areas.

The park could have been a town with a race track and a golf course, a twin brother of Empuriabrava, if the development of a “useless bog”, begun in 1975, hadn’t been crushed by the opposition from locals, environmentalists and the community at large. In 1983, the park received official protection from the state.

The main treasure of Aiguamolls is birds. Biologists count 338 bird species here, 82 out of which regularly make the conservation area their nesting grounds. Mid-April to early May is the ideal time for a visit, as both the number of birds and the species present go up during the active bird migration period. Some of the remarkable creatures spotted at Aiguamolls include pink flamingo, white stork, common kingfisher, purple heron, red-throated pipit, lesser grey shrike, and so many more.

Mammals and reptiles are also represented well in the Aiguamolls wetland, such as otters, red foxes, fallow deer, wild boars, aquatic turtles, marble newts, and the Mediterranean painted frogs.

The Aigumolls park has 14 observatories for getting up close to the animals without scaring them away.

Visitor information
Phone: +34 972 454 222
E-mail: pnaiguamolls@gencat.cat

Driving from Barcelona, select the village Sant Pere Pescador as the GPS destination, then follow the signs for Aiguamolls.

Upon entering the park, you will find yourself in the area called El Cortalet where you may access the information centre, picnic zones, parking and washrooms. El Cortalet is the starting point for all trails and hiking routes in Aiguamolls.

Information centre opening hours:
01/04-30/09: 09:30-2:00 pm and 4:30-7:00 pm
01/10-31/03: 09:30-2:00 pm and 3:30-6:00 pm
Closed on December 25-26, January 1 and 6.

You may get around the park on foot or by bicycle (select routes).

Castle coordinates: 42.295373, 3.194453
GI-614 parking coordinates: 42.295038, 3.205492
Coordinates for the route from GI-614 to the castle: 42.294024, 3.193155

Phone: 972 568 041

Phone: 972 525 184