THE HOUSE OF VOLCANOES OLOT

The Garrotxa region around Olot has been at the centre of volcanic activity for hundreds of thousands of years. Although the most recent eruption was more than 11,000 years ago, the volcanoes are still officially considered dormant, rather than extinct. Nor are volcanoes the only threat. A major earthquake struck the city in 1427, and there were tremors at nearby Besalu as recently as 1988. This museum, housed in a Palladian villa inside the botanic gardens at Parc Nou, explores the history and geology of the volcanic region, as well as its fauna and flora. The information centre for the Garrotxa natural park, in an office above the museum, is a good place to pick up leaflets about the area and walking maps and guides.

A waymarked walk from the museum leads to the Volca de Montsacopa, a typical volcano just north of the town centre. You can get there just as easily by following the signs from the Museu Comarcal, from where it will take around 20 minutes to reach the crater. Pass market gardens on the lower slopes, then walk uphill through an avenue of plane trees lined with Stations of the Cross. From the chapel of Sant Francesc, on the summit, there are marvelous views back down over Ololt´s rooftops and over the surrounding landscape, carved out by volcanic activity. You can walk right around the rim of the crater, or follow the path down to its floor. Another path leads to the crater of Volca de la Garrinada, 500m away.