Parc de Sant Salvador

Parc de Sant Salvador is a historic municipal park in Santa Coloma de Farners, in Spain's Girona province, listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage. It's a favorite spot for local residents and serves as the starting point for many hiking and cycling routes through the La Selva region.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The park lies southwest of the town center of Santa Coloma de Farners, right at the edge of the built-up area. The easiest way to reach it is on foot from the town center, following Passeig de Sant Salvador or Passeig de la Nòria, both of which lead directly to the entrance. The walk from the main square usually takes no more than fifteen minutes, making the park an easy option for a short outing without a car.

What will you see inside?

The park grew up around the Font de Sant Salvador, a spring whose water was already being used back in the 18th century. It wasn't until 1895, however, that the grounds were opened to the public, and since then the park has served as the town's main recreational green space.

Its biggest draw is the tree cover: more than a thousand trees grow here, mostly plane trees that form long, shaded avenues. Maples and lime trees greet visitors at the entrance, while deeper inside the park a much wider variety awaits — alders, horse chestnuts, sequoias, spruce, cedars, cypress, pines, oaks and cork oaks. That mix gives a stroll through the park more the feel of a small arboretum than an ordinary town square.

The park's name honors Salvador d'Horta (1520–1567), a Franciscan friar born in Santa Coloma de Farners who was canonized in 1938. His legacy is tied directly to the sacred spring around which the whole park eventually developed.

What can you do here?

Locals use the park every day for walking, jogging and cycling. There are also spaces set aside for pétanque, a popular Catalan pastime, and several fountains and rest areas invite visitors to linger longer in the shade. For anyone planning a bigger day out, the park is the natural starting point for hiking, cycling and mountain-bike trails that head into the surrounding hills of La Selva.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to its dense tree canopy, the park stays pleasantly cool even during Catalonia's hot summers, making it a good choice for a midday walk when the rest of town feels too exposed to the sun. In spring and autumn, the mix of tree species brings noticeable seasonal color, and the park's calm atmosphere makes it a worthwhile stop year-round, whether for a quick walk or a longer rest before setting off on a trail.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The park is open public space, free to enter at any time of day.

Are there places to rest inside the park? Yes, there are several fountains along with shaded avenues and benches suited to longer stops.

Do hiking trails start from the park? Yes, Parc de Sant Salvador is the starting point for several walking, cycling and mountain-bike routes into the surrounding hills.

Where does the park's name come from? It comes from Salvador d'Horta, a Franciscan friar born in Santa Coloma de Farners in 1520 and canonized in 1938, whose cult is linked to the spring at the heart of the park.