Peralada
The Pearl of the Empordà
Peralada offers medieval flair paired with modern luxury, culture, games and sports. The fairytale castle, the old churches, the monastery, the weathered medieval city palaces and small winding streets and squares shine like the scenery for a historical film. Equally precious jewels have to be discovered here details of bygone times.
Peralada at a glance
- location: In the Empordà, Girona Province
- Castell de Peralada: Castle and Carmelite Monastery (Convent del Carme) both date from the 14th century
- Museum in the castle: Library with almost 100,000 books, around 1,000 pieces of ceramics, over 2,500 pieces of glass (according to the museum, the most important glass collection in Spain), cloister, Gothic church with a 14th-century cassette ceiling and a wine museum
- Festival: The Castell de Peralada festival began in the summer of 1987 with classical music. More on this: Seal at Peralada Festival
- wine: The place stands for the wine culture of the Empordà, with the new wine cellar (Celler)
About 500 years before Christ, the Iberians founded a first settlement with a protective wall on the site of today’s Peralada. The medieval town of Peralada had its heyday in the 9th century.
The Roman Monastery Sant Domènec With the 11th-century cloister, the oldest surviving monument is Peralada. Attached here are the city’s tourist information and a museum with multimedia presentations on history and culture.
The Church of Sant Marti From the 18th century, the remains of Romanesque architecture showcases a Gothic bell tower.
The Monastery del Carme From the 14th century, the Peralada Castle Museum, with one of the most important private Catalan art collections, is home to the Suqué – Mateu Collection. The museum tour begins in the impressive library. Among the historical treasures of collected literature are 1000 different specimens of the Don Quixote and precious gems of erotic literature of bygone times. In the monastery church with cloisters, wooden sculptures, which mainly come from the monastery of St. Pere de Rodes and Besalù, can be seen.
One of the largest and most remarkable glass collections in the world and the wine and wine exhibition are further highlights of the tour of the Peralada Castle Museum.
The Castle The residence of the Counts of Peralada was once itself and was built in the 14th century. end of the 16th century received Francesc Jofre de Rocaberti from the hands of Philip III. the title of Count of Peralada and converted the castle into a residential palace.
Castillo Peralada cava and wines are among the region’s most popular wines. As early as the 15th century, the Carmelite monks were wines. In 1923, Miquel Mateu Pla, an entrepreneur from Barcelona, acquired Peralada Castle and decided to bring the region’s wine tradition back to life. Quality, charisma and tradition have been the recipe for success of the Bodega Castillo Peralada ever since. Today – under the direction of the entrepreneurial family Suqué-Mateu – the intensive work, research and development bears its fruits: The wines and cavas Peralada have achieved a high reputation and have won a permanent place on the best national and international panels.
During the months of July and August, an international music festival with a star line will take place in the romantic Peralada Castle Park.
The Castillo de Peralada Casino Invites all year round to roulette in the medieval palace. It is one of the most beautiful in the world with a bar, restaurants and conference rooms.
The Golf Club Peralada Its location alone, surrounded by fantastic landscape and ancient olive trees, is just 15 kilometers from the sea at the foot of the Pyrenees. The 18-hole golf course, par 71, is just as suitable for beginners as it is for very good players who find a driving range, three putting greens, a pitch & putt course, golf school and pro shop here.
On clear days, the panorama of the Pyrenees is omnipresent when putting.
The Hotel Golf Peralada invites you to relax in a luxurious ambience and promises wellness in a different way: in Europe’s only wine spa, a bath in fine wines is offered – ideal for reducing stress and joint tension.
Dinner in the Hotel Peralada restaurant, you get first-class regional delicacies such as duck with shrimp or lamb shoulder, accompanied by the best wines in the region, of course.
To get to know Peralada you should take your time. It’s best to stroll slowly through the old streets, let the medieval flair sink in, rest in small squares, enjoy a late breakfast in the café in front of the castle, walk through the park and greet the swan under the fountain, book a training session the golf course or immerse yourself in a tub full of wine. In the evening you relax and challenge your luck at the roulette table. Before that, of course, you deserve a delicious evening menu in one of the surrounding restaurants.
Frequently asked questions about Peralada
What is special about Peralada?
Peralada is known for its castle with museum, the summer festival and the wine culture of the Empordà.
How long has the Peralada festival been around?
The festival Castell de Peralada began in the summer of 1987 with a program made entirely of classical music.
What does the museum in the Castell de Peralada show?
The museum shows the private collections of the castle: a library with almost 100,000 books, around 1,000 ceramic pieces and over 2,500 pieces of glass. There is also the cloister, the Gothic church and the wine museum.
How old are the castle and monastery in Peralada?
The castle and the Carmelite monastery (Convent del Carme) both date from the 14th century.
Sources for the information in the box and in the questions: Perelada Resort: Museum, Festival Castell de Peralada, Grup Peralada: History. Times, prices and rules change, please check before visiting.
More on this: Seal – Peralada Festival, Hotel Golf Peralada – The World of Wine, Festival Castell Peralada – 25 years.
