Vilajoan can be understood through three specific landmarks: the Fluvià River, the parish church at the northern edge of the village, and the castle about 300 metres further south. Farmhouses and houses lie between them on flat but irregularly built-up terrain. This spatial sequence helps you get your bearings when choosing the village for a stay focused on architecture and local history. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether the village layout between the river, church and castle suits your trip.
Getting your bearings between the river, church and castle
The Fluvià flows through Vilajoan, while the church and castle mark north–south reference points. Vilajoan’s streets are also designated as an urban centre and a place of interest. This means the streets, as well as the two buildings, form part of the townscape you can take into account when planning. A 1.5-kilometre road leads to Vilajoan from the N-II; it lies beyond Bàscara and the Fluvià, towards the border.
For cycling plans, there is a regional reference: a cycling map of Alt Empordà shows Vilajoan alongside the 29.5-kilometre Ruta cicloturística del Fluvià. Check current route conditions and signage before setting out. This will help you plan your ride with the relevant conditions in mind.
Santa Maria and the castle
Santa Maria de Vilajoan is a religious building with two rectangular naves. Each has an apse, and transverse arches connect the naves. Remains of Romanesque wall paintings survive in the northern chancel. The floor plan and paintings offer different points of interest for exploring the church. Its history dates back to 1093, when Santa Maria de Vilajoan was transferred to the Augustinian priory of Santa Maria de Lledó.
Vilajoan Castle is designated as a fortified building and described as a large fortified manor house. Battlements and machicolations surround a small courtyard at the foot of a square tower. The church and castle have distinct architectural features: on the one hand, a religious building with a segmented floor plan; on the other, a fortified manor house with a courtyard and tower.
Personal connections and community life
Vilajoan’s history is also reflected in personal connections. It was the first place where Fabià Puigserver settled after arriving from Barcelona on a Vespa. Ferran Sunyer spent the long summers of almost his entire life at the Can Sunyer country estate in Vilajoan. These two connections tell of different stages in life: settling somewhere after arriving, and returning year after year for summers at a named country estate.
The Festa Major also offers a glimpse of community life in the village. The programme for the July 2026 edition included a traditional communal dinner followed by live music. Work to improve the public space at the Font de Vilajoan was completed on 5 May 2026. The project was intended to enhance the area and strengthen its role as a place for the community to come together.
When choosing where to stay, you can weigh these different aspects: the river and village layout, the architectural history of Santa Maria and the castle, personal historical connections, or regional cycling routes. Vilajoan brings these themes together in a small geographic area, while each offers a different way to discover the village.
For the wider travel overview: Garrigàs.
