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There are several historical buildings on the same upper platform
as the Iberian settlement. In fact, these buildings overlap above the
ancient ruins of the settlement. The oldest of these buildings is a
watchtower built in 1445 which was restored at the same time as
the archaeological site. It is only open to the public during the summer
months. There is a well preserved hermitage dedicated to Sant
Sebastià attached to the watchtower, which was built in 1707 (Brugada,
2000, p. 107). A luxury hotel occupies an old inn built at the
same time as the hermitage. This building was completely restored
during the last decade of the twentieth century. The building is public
property but operated under concession by a private company.
The company in question was made responsible for maintenance of
the archaeological site in an agreement signed with the town council.
Close by, also on the mountain’s upper platform, there is a lighthouse
which was built in 1857 (Saurí, 2000, p. 196). The building,
which belongs to the Public Administration, is unoccupied but still
works as a lighthouse.
The Archaeological Site
The ancient inhabitants of the Iberian settlement of Sant Sebastià de
la Guarda belonged to the Iberian tribe of Indigents who occupied
what is today the north east of Catalonia, between the sixth century
BC and the first century BC. Preserved archaeological remains of
this tribe can be found scattered throughout the province of Girona.
Currently, some of these sites can be visited. One of the most outstanding
examples is the architectonic set at Ullastret, extending
over 13 hectares, with a monographic museum displaying various
objects found during site excavation. Presently, the museum acts as
headquarters for the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya. Another
Iberian settlement which can be visited is at Puig Castellet located
in the municipality of Lloret de Mar, a well known tourist destination.
This settlement is of reduced dimensions and is accessible only
during specific opening hours. There is no museum linked to this
site. The third Iberian site in the area that can be visited is at Castell.
Also located on the Costa Brava it is part of a protected natural area.
Only a small sector of this archaeological site can be visited as the
rest is in the process of being excavated. Access is always open and
there is no museum.
The Iberian settlement of Sant Sebastià de la Guarda was discovered
during the 1960s but excavation work did not start until the
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