The towers, as well as being a defensive element, were part of a complex surveillance system. They communicated during the day using smoke and bell ringing, and with bonfires at night. Any possible danger from a pirate attack on the Palafrugell coast would’ve been detected from the Sant Sebastià de la Guarda Tower (15th century) and the Calella Tower (1597), where a guard was permanently stationed and from where information could be transmitted to the interior of the Empordà region.
The location of Calella’s tower allowed for the control of the Llafranc and Calella bays, and it is the only municipality which was armed. It has a flat area overlooking the sea, where there used to be cannons, but this was dismantled in 1782, since the danger of a pirate attack had diminished significantly.
The tower also functioned as a prison until the Spanish Civil War.
At the end of the 19th century, a house was built.
RESTAURANTS Palafrugell cuisine is very rich and varied. Both traditional dishes and the most avant-garde dishes are present on the restaurant menus and are prepared with top quality products. A wide range of traditional, classic or modern cuisine restaurants vouch for the quality of the gastronomy, offering seasonal or Km 0 products, which have (...)
+ MOREThis SUMMER, you’ll want to stay in PALAFRUGELL Everything you can do this summer in Palafrugell From 1st July to 14th September DOWNLOAD SUMMER GUIDE Check the SEPTEMBER cultural programm SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES 2026 Click here for more information about events and cultural spaces in Palafrugell
+ MOREHABANERAS FESTIVAL IN TAMARIU As every year, the first Saturday of September, the Habaneras Festival in Tamariu takes place! Saturday, September 5th , 2026 At 7.00 p.m; on the beach Groups: Àmfora, Arjau, Els Cremats, Peix Fregit, Port Bo More information on tel. +34 972 300 228 or at the Tamariu tourist office In (...)
+ MORETOURIST SURVEY Welcome to Palafrugell! To continue working and improving the services in our municipality and region, we would like to know your opinion about the BAIX EMPORDÀ as a tourist destination. COMPLETE THE TOURIST SURVEY HERE Thank you for your collaboration and we hope you will enjoy your holiday!
+ MORE10 SIZZLING REASONS TO VISIT PALAFRUGELL Apearl in the middle of Costa Brava, the city of Palafrugell includes the picturesque beachside towns of Calella de Palafrugell, Llafranc and Tamariu. A short transfer from Barcelona or Girona airports, here are 10 reasons why this slice of Costa paradise should be top of your destination wish list. (...)
+ MORESPAIN’S HIDDEN GEM – LA PETITA COSTA BRAVA BY George Keegan Stretching along Spain’s eastern seaboard in Catalonia (spelt Catalunya in Catalan) is the very beautiful Costa Brava. There are some 220km of coastline stretching right up to the French border containing many areas of natural beauty. It has a mild Mediterranean climate meaning (...)
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