Castell de Aro, the medieval face of the Playa de Aro resort in Costa Brava

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Benedormiens Castle in Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

If you live in Barcelona, I can tell you little of what it currently representsAro Beach.

It is one of the towns with greater atmosphere of the Costa Brava, being an hour away from Barcelona, ​​it is an eminently holiday town that has also become a destination of second residence for many locals.

With 10,000 residents registered in Aro Beach, during the weekends it reaches a population of 60,000 people, which doubles in summer.

Church of Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

There are the attractions that characterize a Mediterranean holiday enclave, with a beach and a great atmosphere of shops, bars and restaurants.

Aro Beach

The tourism development of Aro Beach It started already in the middle of the last century, and today it is also a very attractive destination for international tourists.

In fact, in the summer season 50 percent of its visitors are foreigners, specifically, French, Dutch and Belgians, who are largely attracted by its outstanding camping facilities.

But if you don't know yet Aro Beach, as was my case until my recent trip to Lower Ampurdán, you should know that the municipality, as such, has three very different faces.

Museum of the Doll of Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

As in many locations in the Mediterranean, the historical center is located a few kilometers inland, and its main economic activity was agriculture.

Next to the beaches there used to be a small fishing port, which was a minor activity.

In the case of Aro Beachin addition to the great holiday town, just four kilometers inland is Castell de Aro, with a completely different scene, almost a jump to the medieval times.

The third area of ​​the municipality is S'Agaró, luxurious coastal residential area that with a forest landscape, small coves and cliffs, extends between the San Pol beaches and of Sa Conca, and which you can go through the very beautifulS'Agaró round road.

What to see and do during the visit of Castell de Aro

Specifically, now I'm going to talk about Castell de Aro, whose origins date back to 1401, the year in which the existence of the little one was documented Benedormiens Castle, whose goal was to protect all Aro Valley.

Interior of the church of Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

Around it, over time a small medieval town was born that was head of the municipality until 1962.

In that year it was decided to move the town hall headquarters to Aro Beach, and also the municipality was renamed in this way, compared to its historical name, which until then was Hoop Fanals.

In the last decades Castell de Aro It has been restored until in 1995 it was declared Cultural Property of National Interest by Generalitat.

Now when you get to Castell de Aro you find a small city where only 2,500 inhabitants reside.

You will see that a large part of their houses are restored and show their historic facades of exposed stone, as well as windows, doors and other corners where you can see reminiscences of the medieval era.

Corner of Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

The aforementioned Benedormiens Castle, which was the seat of the town hall, It was restored in 1970 and is now used as showroom.

In front of the castle is a church whose origins date back to a Romanesque chapel from 1078, which was later expanded with the construction of a Gothic-style building, with a single nave, which is what you can see today.

Subsequently, a baroque porch was erected.

Since 1997 in Castell de Aro there is a curious Doll Museum, with more than 800 exhibits and two different collections, one of dolls from around the world, and another of old dolls.

Corner of Castell de Aro in the Ampurdán Costa Brava

Living Bethlehem of Castell de Aro

Finally, if you approach by Castell de Aro at Christmas time, you will see the Oldest living Bethlehem in Catalonia.

This popular nativity scene dates back to 1959, and about 400 people participate each year that make up up to 40 different scenes, all with real objects, which extend from the town to an adjacent field area.

The Living Bethlehem of Castell de Aro It is represented at 7 pm on the most significant dates of Christmas, and to see it you must pay a ticket of 5 euros (3 euros for children).

Photos of Castell Playa de Aro

Here you have more Photos of Castell de Aro, in the Lower Ampurdán of the Costa Brava.



How to get to Castell-Platja d'Aro

Castell de Aro It is 15 minutes inland from Playa de Aro and 40 minutes by car from the city of Girona.

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