When
we get closer, from whichever direction, to Palau-Sator, the shape of
the tower stands up above the group of rooves formed by the houses and
it is the tower which gives the village its name. "Sator"
or the tower refers to this tower, 20m. high, which was probably built
in the 10th or 11th century and it is now the only evidence of the castle
which had been located in the centre of the village. The presence of
this magnificent monument will not leave you while walking inside the
village. Its streets perfectly preserve the shape of medieval times
and there are some remains of the walls and defences which used to surround
it. Outside this enclosure it is interesting to visit the church consecrated
to Saint Peter, as well as an interesting architectural sample of two
unusual fountains. In Extramurs street, you can also visit The Rural Museum,
a very complete collection of agrarian tools and vases, formed and opened
to the public on the initiative of a village family.
The village of Palau-Sator is also the centre of a town which includes
the neighbourhood of Pantaleu and the villages of Sant Feliu de Boada,
Fontclara and Sant Julià de Boada. In the latter, popularly known as
Boada, there is one of the most valued architectural jewels of the county.
It is the Pre-Romanic church that was declared a National Monument and
restored in 1982 after having been used as a stable for many years.
Inside the church and among other features, there are two outstanding
iron-shod arches.
From Boada and following a beautiful country road to the South you reach
Sant Feliu. In the East there is a territory of "muntanya seca"
(dry mountain), which is one of the last cases of land belonging to
the town in the county. A walk through its woods lets you discover old
stone quarries that were used collectively. Many of the houses in this
village were restored a few years ago. At a threshold there is an old
description which wants the occasional reader smile.
Further to the North there is the little village of Fontclara. Quietness
and silence dominate the place where there are still the remains of
an old monastery from the early centuries of the Middle Ages. Inside
the Romanic church you can see interesting pictures from the 13th century.
The East side of Palau-Sator borders on an area which had been full
of lakes and then used as rice fields. Very close to Sant Julià there
was, for example, the old Estany de Boada (pond) which is now crossed
by a road. It was drained during the 18th century after important canalizing
work being done. It is common to see, however, spring and autumn rains
filling part of it.
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