Ullastret, in Baix Empordà, maintains its position as the oldest town in Catalonia and holds the largest Iberian settlement discovered in the territory. The town, located less than two hours from Barcelona, currently has a population of 252 people and sits on the right bank of the Daró River.
The largest Iberian settlement in Catalonia
The historic center of Ullastret stands out for its archaeological site on the summit of Puig de Sant Andreu. This enclave was the ancient Indika, capital of the Indigetes, the Iberian people who dominated the northeastern Catalan region. The Ullastret site is one of the main branches of the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia and preserves visitable walls that showcase the magnitude of the settlement.
The tour of the archaeological site allows visitors to see simple dwellings, residences of the Iberian aristocracy, cobbled streets, and a system of rock-hewn cisterns. The modern population is located about two kilometers from the original site of Indika.
Medieval Heritage and Access to the Site
Within the urban center, the Romanesque church of Sant Pere, erected in the 11th century, stands out. Outside the walls lies the old medieval merchant enclave, a Gothic building with a rectangular floor plan that reflects Ullastret's past commercial importance
Admission to the archaeological site and museum costs seven euros and includes an audio guide and an audiovisual screening. Guided tours are scheduled for February 15 and March 29 at 12:00 PM at the same price.
A historic enclave less than two hours from Barcelona
With more than 2,500 years of history, Ullastret offers a unique testament to the Iberian presence in Catalonia. The Iberian settlement of Ullastret is the largest discovered to date and remains a benchmark for local archaeology and history.