The
Baix Ter plain is situated in the NE of Catalonia just at
the centre of the Costa Brava, in the Baix Empordà
region. It extends between the massifs of Begur and Montgrí
and it is divided in half by the river Ter, which crosses
the plain on its way to the Mediterranen Sea.
Torroella
de Montgrí-l’Estartit (65.61 km2) and Pals (25
km2) take up most of the plain and have the highest population
density of the area (160,8 and 94,38 inahb/km2 respectively).
Of the 91km2 that they occupy, 40 belong to the protected
areas of the Illes Medes, the Montgrí and the Lower
Ter wetlands. These areas are under the protection of the
Government of Catalonia (Pla d' Espais d'Interès Natural
de Catalunya) and some of them are part of the Natura 2000
network.
Both
towns have a millennial history that has left everlasting
impressions in their shaping. While Torroella de Montgrí
maintains in a good state of upkeep its walls, dating from
the XI-XII centuries, and its medieval town centre, Pals is
one of the most important and best kept gothic fortified enclosures
of the region.
Moreover, both are formed by different town centres, built
over different periods and therefore have a different morphology.
Specifically,
Torroella de Montgrí displays 1) the town of Torroella
de Montgrí with two districts of different origin (the
higher-medieval nucleus and the more modern pedestrian precincts),
2) l’Estartit, on the coast, 3) Sobrestany, 4) Bolleria
and 5) housing estates located on the coast and on the slopes
of the Roca Maura mountain.
Panoramic
view of Torroella de Montgrí
As
far as Pals is concerned, we can distinguish 3 parts: 1) the
town of Pals (consisting of two districts: the Pedró
(old town) and Samària), 2) Masos de Pals, a district
formed originally by dispersed manor houses, and 3) Platja
de Pals, a housing estate that extends throughout the beach
of Pals.
L’Estartit (Torroella) and Platja de Pals (Pals) stand
out as seaside towns, more modern than the rest, and touristy
resorts.
Panoramic
view of Pals
Cliffs
The
plain
The landscapes that meet in the Lower Ter plain are very diverse
and of an incredible beauty. We can find a fertile plain crossed
by the Ter, combined with mountains like the impressive massif
of the Montgrí that flows into the sea shaping the
Montgrí coast, with high cliffs, and small coves and
caves. Other sectors of the coast have extensive beaches with
very fine sand. We can also find marshes, most of the protected,
such as the Ter Vell or Basses d’en Coll.
Torre
de les Hores (Pals' old town)
Aerial
view of Estartit and Illes Medes
It’s this diversity and landscape richness, together with
its location and the varied ludic, sporting, sight-seeing and
cultural offers that the towns of Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit
and Pals present that make the Lower Ter plain an important
touristic destination.
