Castelló Ruta de l'Art returns with over 100 artists

Castelló d'Empúries will host the 19th edition of the Ruta de l'Art from 9 to 12 October, with more than 100 artists showing their work in 16 venues across the historic town centre.

The art trail turns some of the town's best-known buildings and spaces into temporary exhibition sites for four days. Visitors can walk from one venue to the next, seeing a range of artistic disciplines while also passing some of the most distinctive corners of the old town.

The programme also includes an art market, a children's drawing contest called RutaKids and an installation by the Red Cross.

Presented at the town hall

The 2026 edition was presented by the mayor of Castelló d'Empúries, Anna Massot, the councillor for culture, Josep Maria Gironella, and the event's organiser, Anna Maria Constanseu.

Massot said reaching a 19th edition showed the event had become a fixed part of the local cultural calendar. "During these days, our emblematic spaces become meeting points between artists, residents and visitors, making culture an experience that is lived in the streets of the town," she said.

She added that the Ruta de l'Art reflected "a clear commitment to culture, heritage and bringing life to the municipality beyond the summer."

Castelló d'Empúries is often called the "vila comtal", or comital town, because it was once the seat of the Counts of Empúries. Much of the trail runs through that medieval core, near sites covered by the town's recently renewed heritage signs.

Art and heritage side by side

Gironella focused on the variety of the line-up. "The Ruta de l'Art allows us to discover very diverse artists and disciplines in spaces that form part of our heritage," he said. He described it as "a very interesting combination between contemporary art and the historic heritage of Castelló d'Empúries."

Constanseu pointed to the geographical spread of this year's participants. Artists are coming from across Catalonia as well as from Madrid, Navarra, Galicia, Wuppertal in Germany and the south of France. She encouraged the public to visit all the venues on the route.

Market, children's contest and Red Cross installation

Alongside the main exhibition, an art market will widen what is on offer to visitors.

RutaKids, a drawing competition for younger children, is designed to bring the art trail closer to families and get children involved in the event.

The Red Cross branch covering Roses and Castelló d'Empúries is also taking part. It will present an installation titled "Escolta la soledat", which translates as "Listen to loneliness."

How to follow the event

Updates on the 19th Ruta de l'Art will be posted on the event's social media channels and on those of Castelló d'Empúries town council. The full programme and further information are available at rutadelart.com.

Our Take

For residents of Empuriabrava and Castelló, the Ruta de l'Art is one of the easiest ways to see the old town in a different light, and it is free to wander. The fact that it is now in its 19th year suggests it has moved well beyond a one-off experiment.

The timing matters. Holding the event in October fits a wider push by the council to keep cultural life going once the summer crowds leave. It sits alongside other autumn activities such as the returning library book clubs and the new Agenda Formativa workshops.

The mix of artists from Germany, France and other parts of Spain may also appeal to the area's many international residents. It is worth watching whether the trail keeps growing towards its 20th edition next year, and whether that milestone brings a bigger programme or new venues in the historic centre.