Figueres joins European Heritage Days with castle open day
Figueres will take part in the European Heritage Days once again this year, with three free or low-key activities planned for the weekend of 10 and 11 October. The programme includes a comics exhibition tour at the Museu de l'Empordà, a guided visit to the church of Sant Pere and an open day at the Castell de Sant Ferran.
The European Heritage Days, known in Catalan as the Jornades Europees de Patrimoni (JEP), are an initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. In Catalonia, the event is promoted by the Agència Catalana del Patrimoni Cultural, the Catalan government's cultural heritage agency.
Saturday: comics at the Museu de l'Empordà
The weekend opens on Saturday 10 October at 12 noon with a guided tour of the exhibition "D'Empúries a Spiderman" at the Museu de l'Empordà, the regional museum in Figueres.
The exhibition looks at how comics have developed in the Empordà. It traces the area's long tradition of graphic storytelling, from its earliest examples through to contemporary comics. The show is curated by M. Mercè Cuartiella and Joan Manuel Soldevilla.
The exhibition itself opens to the public on Saturday 3 October, a week before the heritage weekend. Visitors who want to see it before the guided tour will therefore have that option.
Saturday: church and bell tower of Sant Pere
Earlier the same morning, at 10.30am, the Amics de Sant Pere will lead a guided visit to the Església de Sant Pere in Figueres. The association, whose name means "Friends of Sant Pere", has included a climb up the bell tower in the tour.
Places must be booked in advance. Reservations can be made by phone on 649692914 or by email at amicsdesantpere.figueres@gmail.com.
Sunday: open day at Sant Ferran castle
The main event takes place on Sunday 11 October, when the Castell de Sant Ferran will hold an open day from 10am to 6pm.
The castle is described as the largest modern fortress in Europe. It dates from the 18th century, covers an area of 32 hectares and has a perimeter of 3,120 metres.
Entry on the day is free and no booking is needed, so visitors can simply turn up during opening hours. Anyone planning a visit may want to check whether the castle shuttle bus is running that day, as the fortress sits on a hill above the town centre.
At a glance
- Saturday 10 October, 10.30am: guided visit to the Església de Sant Pere with bell tower climb. Booking required.
- Saturday 10 October, 12 noon: guided tour of "D'Empúries a Spiderman" at the Museu de l'Empordà.
- Sunday 11 October, 10am-6pm: open day at the Castell de Sant Ferran. Free, no booking needed.
Why It Matters
For readers in Empuriabrava and Castelló d'Empúries, this is an easy and inexpensive way to see some of the Alt Empordà's main heritage sites during the quieter autumn season. Sant Ferran in particular is a landmark many residents drive past without ever visiting. A free open day with no booking removes most of the usual barriers.
The programme also fits a wider pattern. Figueres has been working to bring more people up to the castle, from the shuttle bus to activities such as the escape room in the castle cisterns aimed at younger adults. This suggests the town sees the fortress as more than a monument and wants to turn it into a regular destination.
The comics exhibition is another sign that local museums are trying new angles to attract visitors, much like the Beu-te el museu programme that pairs museums with wineries. It is worth watching whether the open day draws strong numbers. If it does, it could encourage more free access days at Sant Ferran outside the heritage weekend.