History
The first populations in the Pinell area date back to 2,500 BC in the Neolithic period. There were human settlements in the Vallvanera and Treumal mountains around the year 2,000 BC.
The main evidence of life in the ancient era came with the Romans' arrival in the region and the Vil·la Romana del Pla de Palol, in existence from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD.
The repopulation of the lands of Vall d'Aro began from the 10th century onwards; the first reference is Fanals d'Amunt and the main example is Benedormiens Castle, which gave rise to Castell d'Aro.
The existence of the Church of Fenals de Baix, the current-day Fanals d'Aro and the embryo of Platja d'Aro, was documented in 1585.
During the early years of the 20th century, the current Platja Gran (Main Beach) remained completely untouched, without any tall buildings, and only a little further inland stood the first country houses built on the plain, a long way away from the Fanals neighbourhood. The incipient development of tourism began in the second decade of the 20th century, but it was not until after the Spanish Civil War that the first tourist establishments appeared. Together with the second homes that already existed in La Pineda d'en Bas, they constituted a growing summer resort.
The definitive tourism boom took place with the change of name from Fenals d'Aro to Platja d'Aro in 1962 and the change of capital and Town Council of the old town and interior from Castell d'Aro to Platja d'Aro in 1962. It also coincided with the first major international tourism promotion campaign (El amor se cita en Playa de Aro) in 1964, which gifted 50 couples with the chance to spend a week in the town (25 of them commemorating their silver wedding anniversaries and the other 25 celebrating their recent weddings).
Nowadays the centre of Platja d'Aro is an open-air shopping centre where you can find all kinds of services, shops, leisure activities and wide range of gastronomy.
The repopulation of the lands of Vall d'Aro began from the 10th century onwards; the first reference is Fanals d'Amunt and the main example is Benedormiens Castle, which gave rise to Castell d'Aro.
Vil·la Romana del Pla de Palol
The main evidence of the Romans' presence in the area is the Villa of Pla de Palol, which, according to archaeologists, began its activity around the 1st century BC and survived until after the end of Romanisation, at the beginning of the 6th century AD.
The villa, only partially recovered, is located near n'Artigas beach (currently known as Cala Rovira), where any small surpluses produced by their work were loaded into boats.
Going by the clues, archaeologists estimated a surface area covering about 10,000 m2, leaving aside important structures such as a large oven located in the centre of Platja d'Aro.
There was a site and a property which, according to archaeologist Josep Ma. Nolla, would have occupied a significant area corresponding to courtyards and unbuilt spaces. The villa exploited the natural resources of the land with agriculture and vineyards and extracted clay for the manufacture of ceramics. The products that were obtained were exported by sea thanks to the natural port provided by Cala Rovira
Church of Santa Maria
This is the most modern church in the municipality, built after the Spanish Civil War and located in the centre of Platja d'Aro.
It was constructed on a plot of land donated by Mr Pere Bas i Sàbat in 1953; it was completed in 1955 and blessed on 30 August 1959 by the rector of Guixols, Mons. Ramon Lloansí i Marill, to whom the church square was dedicated on 19 April 1964. It is Mediterranean white in colour and it has a circular bell tower that was completed by Mons. Pere Vila i Bosch, who also built the rectory.
Santa Maria de Fenals d'Aro
The existence of the new church of Fanals de Baix, the current-day Fanals d'Aro, was documented in 1585. After the abandonment of Fanals d'Amunt, a new settlement was formed around it, and several houses were gradually built around the church.
The parishes of the Vall d'Aro were incorporated into the crown in 1698, forming the royal parish of the Vall d'Aro. The expansion of the church of Fanals d'Aro was completed in 1774.
The Guitar Festival was held here for many years and nowadays the Aplec del Patrocini (Patronage Gathering) takes place here in November.