Rupià – Catalonia (Spain)
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
Well connected to the principal localities of the Empordà, Rupià, 66 metres above sea level (1), and with nearly 250 inhabitants (2), is one of the smallest villages of the region of the Baix Empordà. Declared a Historic-Artistic Grouping by the Generalitat de Catalunya (the Catalan autonomous government) (3), Rupià is as surprising as it is little known.
(1) Wikipedia entry for Rupià
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupi%C3%A1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupi%C3%A0
(2) Demographic and economic data for Rupià (IDESCAT)
http://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=171539&lang=en
(3) Regional council of the Baix Empordà
http://www.baixemporda-costabrava.org/en/
WHAT TO DO
Both the urban centre as much as the surrounding area offer singular spaces well worth a visit: here, history, nature and culture go hand in hand.
HISTORIC HERITAGE
An ancient domain of the bishopric of Girona, Rupià contains remains from the Middle Ages such as the castle (in a civil gothic style) or the walls (15th century) encircling the historic centre, which has a typically medieval outline. Nearby, the Mas Llorà shows what an 18th century manor house was like.
NATURAL HERITAGE
In the surroundings of Rupià one also finds the Great Olive Tree of Mas Llorà, a very large millennial tree, immortalized by Josep Pla in several of his texts and baptised as the “prodigious olive tree”.
CUISINE
As with the other towns and villages of the Empordà, the cuisine of Rupià is characterised by a wealth of tastes, colours and textures, found in fish and seafood (from the Costa Brava), products from the vegetable garden, meats and dairy products. A wide range of restaurants in the area demonstrate that the region’s identity essentially passes through its gastronomy.
http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants/Restaurants-Rupia-17131-Girona-Spain?strLocid=31NDEycmkxMGNOREl1TURFNU5qRT1jTXk0d01UQTJOZz09
TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND LINKS OF INTEREST
Emergencies: 112
Local police: 088
Rupià Town Hall