The Rec Major of Banyoles is one of the city's most emblematic features, a historic canal that stretches from Lake Banyoles to the town centre. This canal played a key role in the city's industrial development, as its water was used for various purposes, including textile production, metalworking and flour milling. The canals of Banyoles, such as the Rec Major, were built during the Middle Ages and played a fundamental role in the city's growth and economic development for centuries.

In addition to being a valuable historical structure, the Rec Major now offers a route linking the lake to the urban centre, allowing visitors to explore Banyoles' close relationship with water and nature. Along this walk, visitors can discover several industrial heritage buildings that illustrate the town's evolution and the importance of water in its development. The Rec Major is therefore not only an essential part of Banyoles' history but also an ideal place to stroll and gain a deeper understanding of the city.

This route also forms part of a network of paths and natural corridors that have been restored and integrated into the sustainable mobility network, connecting green spaces throughout the city and promoting ecological links between natural and urban environments.

In 1263, the Rec Major was known as Guèmol at its entrance to Turers, although during the Middle Ages it was commonly referred to as Riaria Nova (1343) or the Vila Nova canal. This name originated from the town's westward expansion around today's Plaça Major, formerly known as Plaça de la Vila Nova. When the square was renamed at the beginning of the 16th century, the canal became known as Rec Major, although different sections had other names. For example, near the lake it was known as Rec del Canar Nou, or Rec de les Forques or Sa Forca (1337). Around Sant Pere square, it was called Rec dels Tints (15th–16th centuries) because of the wool-dyeing activities carried out there, and outside the former city walls it became known as Rec dels Molins.