Get to know the Greco-Roman and medieval past of Sant Martí d'Empúries

Sant Martí d'Empúries is one of the best kept treasures on the entire Costa Brava . This small and captivating medieval village on the Girona coast belongs to the Empordà municipality of L'Escala , and is the original nucleus of this town. The main tourist attraction to visit this town, located less than an hour's drive from the French city of Perpignan, are the spectacular archaeological sites it has, just 200 meters from the center.

Greco-Roman history of Empúries 

Located at the foot of the beach, in front of the imposing Gulf of Roses , the Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries are a must for scholars of the history of the western Mediterranean and the classical world. The origins of Empúries go back to the year 575 a. C, when the colony was founded by the Greeks under the name of Emporion (market or trading port), soon becoming one of the main areas of expansion of Hellenic culture within the Iberian Peninsula. 

The archaeological complex has the prestige of being one of the few sites in Spain where Greek and Roman remains coexist. Precisely the latter settled here after the Hellenes in the third century BC. C., Romanizing the city of Emporiae agreeing with the Punic wars. This caused this ancient settlement to be the most important port of entry in ancient Hispania. 

Inside the site is also one of the headquarters of the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia - Empúries ( MAC) , a key space next to the ruins to learn what life was like in this fascinating place more than 2,500 years ago. Visitors are amazed by the impressive mosaics, temples, sculptures and diversity of objects of the time. Although excavations began in 1908, archaeologists continue to extract pieces today, saying that much remains to be discovered, as they estimate that only 25% of the surface has been excavated.

A small medieval village with a lot of charm

Sant Martí d'Empúries , the former capital of the county of Empúries and with only 40 registered inhabitants, also hides other very attractive places for the visitor. Located next to the spectacular fine sandy beach of Empúries, it is, without a doubt, one of the most authentic and beautiful medieval villages in the province of Girona . Despite its small size, it is home to invaluable historical and cultural heritage and is declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest .

The most recommended places to visit during a short tour of its narrow cobbled streets are the church of Sant Martí d'Empúries , built in the early sixteenth century on a ninth century temple dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, the remains of the castle of the Middle Ages, which inspired Víctor Mora, creator of the legendary comic Captain Tro as the residence of the hero, the ancient medieval walls and the Casa Rural, a beautiful building with modernist airs with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Most of the restaurants are concentrated around the Plaça Major , which offer an interesting gastronomic offer where you can taste the delicious dishes of the renowned cuisine of the Alt Empordà region . During the hot summer nights, the terraces are filled with color and magic, with the privilege for diners to enjoy a pleasant and quiet evening in a unique medieval setting.

A walk along the coast of Sant Martí d'Empúries

One of the essential activities is to walk the promenade inaugurated in 1992 on the occasion of the Olympic Games of Barcelona that borders the coast and allows to communicate Sant Martí d'Empúries with L'Escala , capital and more important tourist center of the municipal term. The pedestrian promenade is approximately 2 kilometers long, runs through a beautiful wooded landscape and is suitable for the whole family. During the route, pedestrians can observe and dive into the waters of different beaches such as Empúries, Moll Grec , Els Muscleres , Portitxol and Rec del Molí .

Buying a house in Sant Martí d'Empúries has become in recent years the object of desire for many of the visitors who suddenly fall in love with this incredible region of the Costa Brava . The neighboring towns of L'Escala and Sant Pere Pescador bring together the largest number of homes available with attractive offers for the buyer who intends to set up his residence here or invest in a property.

Do you want to buy properties in Sant Martí d'Empúries to spend a few months of vacation a year or to settle there permanently? Contact our real estate agency in Sant Martí d'Empúries to find the apartment, house or villa of your dreams.