If you want to travel back in time to a medieval village, enjoy pleasant walks in an open air museum, Tossa is the place!
Tossa is a population with historical remains, modern Tossa converted first refuge for artists and intellectuals. Wonderful host for tourists.
PARISH CHURCH OF SANT VICENÇ
The Parish Church of Sant Vicenç of Tossa de Mar was constructed in XVIII century in the centre of the town, and of considerable dimensions. The square in front of the church is used for varios official acts but also at the same time a small corner of peace and tranquility.The interior stands out with its harmonious proportions, clean lines and light. A great part of the baroc decoration which adorned the church was lost during the Civil War, however was probably not regretted because for this reason it gained great clarity and light.
The church of Sant Vicenç is testimony to the vocation of the fisherman of the town, next to the alter you will see a fishing boat.
VILA VELLA
Vila Vella is the old medieval town closed by the castle wall dating from the late XIV, declared the national artistic monument. With several excellent viewpoints looking over the most amazing views on the Costa Brava.The Interior is in some way charming, with narrow streets paved with stones, the time of maximum splendor (XV – XVI) who integrated eighty houses.
From XVI the population began to expand outside the castle walls, from the neighborhoood of Sa Roqueta to the end of the old public streets.
The most important part of the Vila Vella is the entrance, taking you through the courtyard. At the highest point stood the castle with a rectangular floored watchtower, no longer standing, in replacement now stands the lighthouse.
VILA ROMANA DELS AMETLLERS
The Vika Romana dels Amerllers is one of the most important roman ruins in Catalonia, from this vila comes the name Tossa de Mar dated in the first century. VI dc. Descoverd in 1914 by doctor Ignasi Mele i Farre.At the top of the vila was located the outbuilding of the dwellings for farming, growing crops and storage.
The tour inside the premises is very interesting.
THE OLD LIGHTHOUSE OF TOSSA DE MAR
The old lighthouse is located at the highest point of the Vila Vella, built in the early XX century. Now converted into an interpretation centre with a small museum full of information on lightouses. With a lovely terrace where you can enjoy the most amazing views of the Costa Brava.
MUSEU MUNICIPAL
From the beginning of the XX century during the pilgrimage and artistic vanguard era, this museum has collected works of art from artists, of which some such as Chagall, internationally known. Located between the walls of the lower part of ‘Vila Vella’ where the house of the governor was situated.Curiously it was the first contemporary art museum in the Spanish state.
THE MINERVA STATUE
Presiding over the bay of Tossa de Mar on the road that leads to ‘Mar Menuda’ beach, above the little cove of the ‘Reig’ stands a great bronze statue of the Godess Minerva. It is the work of the modernist sculpture, Frederic Mares and represents the protector of Rome.
CASTLE, TOSSA DE MAR
The castle wall was declared a national heritage site in 1931. The castle wall closing the ‘Vila Vella’ ( old town ) is the emblem of the town, currently the only example of a fortified medieval town that still exists on the Catalan coast.Built in the early XIII with castle walls retaining almost all the original perimeter area. The most popular tower is the tower of Joanas, presides over the bay.
The tower of the hours, situated at the entrance of the courtyard of arms, It’s name due to the fact it was the only place where there was a public clock.
The tower of codolar, also known as the tower of tribute, presides over the Codolar beach.
CHAPEL OF THE VERGE DELS SOCORS
The small chapel is found at the old cross of the boundaries of the town which are now situated at the entrance of the old town ( Vila Vella ), just where the fishermen’s neighbourhood ends and where today the commercial area begins. The ‘Verge dels Socors’ is a demonstration of the sea worthy traditions of the town.A small individual building with a bell, originally of renaissance style but later remodelled in a baroque style of which nothing remains after the civil war. The interior is now very simple and bright, it is found in one of the thoroughfares on the way to the historic centre and connot be missed.
MIRADOR DELS CARDS
From the Codolar bay situated below the fortified walls of the old town, begins the trail of the ‘cami de ronda’ that unites Tossa with Lloret de Mar. A well indicated and maintained path that enables to walk the distance that seperates the two towns. Within about 20 minutes you arrive to 9 wooden platformed view points which is known as the Mirador dels Cards.The sharp cliff face to one side and the medieval fortifications of Tossa to the other above the blue mediterranean makes an impressive view.
