Elly Shofia
Castellfollit de la Roca is a narrow and small town in Catalonia, Spain. The city is only inhabited by about 1,000 residents.
The area of the city is approximately one square kilometer. Its location is flanked by two high cliffs, making this city small and elongated.
The city is bounded by the confluence of the Fluvia and Toronell Rivers and stands on a cliff as high as 50 meters.
The city is surrounded by high mountains and many trees. Therefore, the scenery in this small town is simply wonderful.
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City Facing the Abyss
Castellfollit de la Roca is located within the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. The city is located on a basaltic ridge, a cliff whose height is more than 50 meters.
This cliff was formed from the layering of two solidified lava flows. Furthermore, this lava then gives rise to the hard rock called basalt.
The cliff was formed by the erosion of the Fluvia and Toronell rivers on the remnants of flowing lava from volcanic eruptions that occurred thousands of years ago.
The first lava flows occurred 17,000 years ago and originated in the Batet village area. The second lava flow is a more recent formation of the Beguda volcano, which is 192,000 years old.
The city stands on a cliff and overlooks a ravine. While, surrounded by mountains with dense and tall trees.
Architecture of Castellfollit de la Roca
The cliffs formed by flowing lava caused many houses and buildings in this city to be built with volcanic rock. Buildings and houses are made close together without gaps because of the narrowness of the land.
Residents can only raise their houses, not widen their houses. However, this city is an old city, the architecture of the buildings is very distinctive.
At the end of the cliff is the Old Church of San Salvador, a late Renaissance-style church. The church dates from the 13th century and has undergone several renovations.
The church has a bell tower with a dome on top. Additionally, the Church of San Salvador is now used as a cultural center, where temporary exhibitions are held.
The old town of Castellfollit dates back to medieval times. From the pedestrian bridge over the river Fluvia, a cliff with city buildings will be visible.
The Beauty of Castellfollit de la Roca
Flanked by high cliffs with mountains all around, the scenery in this city is beautiful. People live in harmony with nature, some people work on plantations.
Near the town, there are small plantations cultivated by the people of Castellfollit.
There is a beautiful La Garrotxa volcanic zone natural park, the entrance is Castellfollit de la Roca. However, this park is the best volcanic landscape on the Iberian Peninsula.
The park covers about 12,000 hectares in more than 40 volcanic cones and 20 lava flows. Furthermore, in this park, you can see green mountains with lush trees.
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Basalt Mining Place
Formed from lava depositional rocks, this area is rich in basalt. The basalt quarry in the town of Castellfollit de la Roca is the only active basalt quarry in Spain.
This mine began operating in 1929. However, there are archives documenting the mine’s existence since 1887.