Santa Cristina d'Aro

Santa Cristina d'Aro is a municipality in the Baix Empordà region, located in the Vall d'Aro valley and bordered by the Gavarres massif to the north and the Ardenya massif to the south. In addition to the town center, Santa Cristina includes the former villages of Romanyà de la Selva, Bell-lloc, and Solius. In 1858, it separated from Castell d'Aro and became the municipality of Santa Cristina d'Aro.

The terrain is primarily forested, with pine, oak, and cork oak woodlands. There are also areas of agricultural and industrial activity, but the municipality's main economic driver is tourism, which is concentrated mainly during the summer months. The municipality boasts a good number of tourist facilities: equestrian centers, golf courses, and other diverse leisure options, such as the Monastery of Solius, which houses a unique collection of 39 dioramas; the Gran Museu de la Màgia, Xevi Collection, a museum of illusion and wonder where you'll find some of the most important and internationally renowned private collections related to the world of magic and illusion; and the private collection of Enrique Sacristán, related to the world of zarzuela, the lyrical genre of Spanish opera, among other attractions.

Santa Cristina's geographical location and the beauty of its surroundings make its landscapes an ideal place for outdoor activities and for fully enjoying its rich natural and cultural heritage. There are several hiking and cycling routes that are a major draw for visitors. Among the most notable is the Vía Verde, a cycle path that follows the old route of the Carrilet railway that ran from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Girona. Also worth exploring is the Rodoreda-Romanyà literary route, which explores the work of the writer Mercè Rodoreda and is a great way to combine hiking with culture. Santa Cristina d'Aro is a land of megalithic significance: both in the Ardenya and the Gavarres mountains, you will find archaeological remains of great historical interest. The most important is the Cova d'en Daina dolmen in Romanyà. Other highlights include the medieval castle of Solius, currently in ruins, the Gorges de Salenys and the Font Picant, among others.

Throughout the year, a wide range of guided tours are offered to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the municipality.

Within the municipality we find 3 beautiful coves: Cala de Canyet, Cala del Sr. Ramon and Cala Vallpresona.

Santa Cristina celebrates various festivities throughout the year. Among the most important is the Fiesta Mayor, around July 24th, with diverse activities, most notably the popular race. The Carnival of Friendship always attracts a good number of visitors to the town. Each village also has its own festival: Solius celebrates during the second half of May; Bell-lloc, on August 15th; and Romanyà, in mid-September.

History

Santa Cristina d'Aro is a municipality located between the Gavarres and Ardenya mountain ranges, the Selva plain, and the Costa Brava. It is a territory crossed by the Ridaura River, where evidence of human presence dating back to 12,000 BC has been found. Later, its inhabitants built megalithic monuments, such as menhirs and dolmens.

In ancient times, the Iberians transitioned from living in hilltop settlements, such as Plana Basarda, to settling in the plains, which had been pacified by the Romans. Over time, agricultural villas, mausoleums, and cemeteries began to appear, giving rise to permanent population centers. This led to the establishment of parishes, and by the 9th century, the territory had become known as the Vall d'Aro.

For the next thousand years, the history of Santa Cristina d'Aro was closely linked to that of the Vall d'Aro, of which it was a part, along with present-day Castell-Platja d'Aro, until 1858. For many centuries, this territory was the subject of disputes between two feudal institutions: the Girona Cathedral and the Sant Feliu de Guíxols Monastery. The Roca de Solius Castle stands out from this period.

Over time, the inhabitants created their own representative bodies. Initially, they were dependent on the University of Sant Feliu de Guíxols; later, they obtained their own university, run by the mayor of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, and finally, they had their own mayor. Thus, in the mid-19th century, the municipality of Santa Cristina d'Aro was officially established, comprising four of the six parishes of the Vall d'Aro: Romanyà de la Selva, Bell-lloc d'Aro, Solius, and Santa Cristina d'Aro.

Throughout its history, the main economic activities of the municipality have been agriculture and cork harvesting. In more recent times, tourism and construction have become increasingly important. Over the last few decades, Santa Cristina d'Aro has experienced significant growth in both population and urbanized areas.