Located in the northern plains of Figueres, in the region of Alt Empordà, the village was the capital of the Perelada County since ancient times.

It was the Viscount of Rocabertí who erected the great castle which, once remodelled in the late 19th century, has reached our days as a casino. The town still has several constructions from the Middle Ages, such as the Romanesque cloister of the convent of Sant Domènec, and the old Gothic convent of Carme, present site of a museum and library, created by Miquel Mateu.