Antic molí

Antic molí is a historic water mill in Sant Miquel de Campmajor, a small municipality in the Pla de l'Estany region of Catalonia, roughly 9 km from Banyoles.

What is this place?

The mill sits on a bend of the local road, right beside the Tort river. Its rectangular structure, together with a few attached outbuildings, is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage. A recent restoration preserved the original water channel that once fed the mill wheel — it runs beneath the building through a vaulted passage with a lowered stone arch. The façade facing the road has a doorway topped with a keystone, a detail typical of rural mill architecture in this part of Catalonia.

How do you get there?

Sant Miquel de Campmajor lies in the western part of the Pla de l'Estany comarca, in Girona province. The easiest approach is by car from Banyoles, about 9 km away, or via the local roads that cross the comarca's countryside from Girona. The mill itself stands along the road that follows the Tort river, just past a curve — keep an eye out, since there's no large sign marking the building.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The municipality covers 33.2 km² and packs several attractions into a small area. In the village centre stands the 12th-century Romanesque church of Sant Miquel, one of the region's best-preserved examples of religious architecture. Hikers can follow the Ruta de les Fonts, a trail leading to several natural springs hidden in the forest. In summer, many head to the Piscina del Diable, a natural pool fed by the Ser river beneath a tall rock cliff. Nearby you'll also find the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and Lake Banyoles, a popular spot for kayaking and other water sports.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking the trails around the mill and along the Ruta de les Fonts, when temperatures are mild and the countryside is at its greenest. In summer, pair a visit to the mill with a swim at the Piscina del Diable or Lake Banyoles. The village's festa major, held alongside the Fira de Sant Miquel — a fair of local products such as cheese, cured meats and honey — is a good time to see the town at its liveliest. It's also worth strolling through the village centre itself, built around the church, where the comarca's typical stone-house layout still survives.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the mill? The building is a protected architectural site, but it's a restored private structure — visits are usually limited to viewing the exterior, the façade and the course of the old water channel.

How much time should you plan for a visit? Seeing the mill itself takes only a few minutes, but it's worth setting aside half a day to combine it with a walk through the village, the church of Sant Miquel and a short stretch of the Ruta de les Fonts.

Is there accommodation nearby? Sant Miquel de Campmajor is a small municipality with limited lodging options; you'll find more hotels and rural guesthouses in nearby Banyoles.

Can you visit without a car? Public transport in the area is limited, so driving or cycling from Banyoles is the most practical way to reach the mill.