City of History, City of Art.
There is at least a 1000 years of recorded history here in the High Vallespir. Among the narrow winding streets and alleys of Prats de Mollo in this timemless medieval fortified town, presided over by the fort designed in part by Vauban, you will discover beautifully quaint old houses with ornate wrought iron railings, balconies, cantilever arched doorways, just as they were three centuries ago.
Religious and military heritage in Prats de Mollo la Preste
- 66230 PRATS-DE-MOLLO-LA-PRESTE Located on the road to Col d' Ares, the ruins of the Holy alter of Saint Marguerite and the adjoining old people's home, dating from the XIII° century, constitute one of the rare testimonies to the medieval old people's homes in the mountains of the area. The site was registered as a Historic building in April 2009 and is located on the path of the 'Retirada', The view from this site is exceptional.
- 66230 PRATS-DE-MOLLO-LA-PRESTE Alter dating from the XVII° century decorated with paintings and stained glasses by Jean Lareuse on sale in a booklet for 10EUR from the tourist office published by the association ' friends of the Chapel of Saints Juste and Ruffine'
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The site would be of Roman origin, but it was first mentioned in 897 with the name of 'Tacione'. During the medieval period, the castle of Taxo was the birthplace of a family holding the title of Viscount of Roussillon.
Today, it has important remnants. Still stands part of the crenellated surrounding walls dating from the 11th century and two semi-circular corner towers which were built later. A 15th-century cylindrical tower can also be seen, probably in relation to the signal stations of la Massane and Madeloc.
- 66230 PRATS-DE-MOLLO-LA-PRESTE Located on the left bank of the Tech, the walled city is divided in two by the torrent of Guillem which crosses perpendicularly. On the one hand, the lower town is home to ancient manors, church, town house of the seventeenth and shops. Streets steep and winding streets lined by narrow houses give the city high, once dominated by the "royal castle", a medieval aspect..
Rue de la République - 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The church of Notre-Dame-dels-Prats is flanked with a superb belltower in Romanesque style, towering at 34 metres and listed as a historic building. Although its construction was not completed, it is among the highest belltowers in Roussillon.
That is the reason why it has been a signal station and lookout tower, communal belfry, keep and belltower at the same time and successively. At the foot of the keep, place des Saint Côme et Saint Damien, the patrons saints of Argelès, covers the former cemetery which, at the beginning of the 19th century, occupied the area situated between the ramparts and the exterior wall of the nave. The belltower was renovated in 1986-1987.
Rue de la République - 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The parish church dedicated to Notre-Dame-dels-Prats was situated within the ramparts towards the south-west corner of the walls. The building dates from the 14th century. Its imposing belltower can be seen in the distance. The belltower is dedicated to the Virgin who is called Nostra Senyora dels Prats (Our Lady of Meadows) here.
The church, which was already mentioned in 920, was nearly completely rebuilt int he 14th century in a Gothic style which is rather unusual in the department. Argelès is the example of this architecture in Roussillon
The church displays 103 works of art for about thirty Saints.
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The Romanesque church of Saint-Laurent-du-Mont is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful architectural treasures to be found in the mountain of Argelès. Saint Laurent was built without interruption in the 12th century and became a parish church that served the numerous 'mas' nestled in the hills.
hen, the chapel was abandoned. In 1939, the building provided housing for Spanish refugees fleeing from the war. It had even been converted into a sheepfold for some time, but it has found its original function again recently. This very lovely site can be the final of a pleasant walking route. The chapel is managed by l'association des Ermitages d'Argelès' (the association of Argelès Hermitages).
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER Les origines de ce château sont mal connues. Les spécialistes pensent qu'il a été édifié à la fin du 11e sur une petite colline naturelle. C'était un bâtiment important que les Comtes de Roussillon inféodèrent à la famille vicomtale de Taxo.
En 1145, ces deux partis entrèrent en conflit armé au sujet de "l'honneur de Pujol ". Le comte de Roussillon, vainqueur, récupéra son bien. A la fin du 12e , le roi d'Aragon céda le château à l'abbaye cistercienne de Fontfroide (Aude). Les moines transformèrent l'édifice en une importante grange.
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER Dolmens are the oldest monuments of our region. They are ossuaries, collective burial chambers which may date from the first Metal Age (period between 2500 and 1500 BC).
The dolmen of the 'Cova de l'Alarb': well-preserved and modest, was built with materials found on the same site. It consists of several upright stones supporting one top flattish stone. This stone framework used as a tomb was without doubt originally covered with a tumulus.
Further up, after walking during 15 minutes, stands, on the left of the path and on a small mound, the dolmen of the 'Collet de Cotlioure' without its top stone lying close-by. Today, these vestiges are of great scientific interest.
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER Texts referred to the ramparts of Argelès in the late 13th century at the time of the Kings of Majorca. Throughout its history, Argelès had to face numerous attacks: siege by the king of Aragon in 1344, occupation of Roussillon by Louis XI, liberation of the town by John II of Aragon.
Visit
You can discover the vestiges of the ramparts while strolling in the streets of the old village: rue du 14 juillet (restoration of Jalabert tower), avenue de la Libération, route nationale (in which can be seen two quadrangular towers), rue Blanqui and rue des Remparts.
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The present monument was built in the late 13th century by order of Jaime II of Majorca. The first reference of La Massane Tower dates from 1293 and it was called 'Torre de Pérabona' (in Catalan) which means "Tower of Good Stone".
The tower had been a lookout tower for a long time since, in 1728, its garrison camped in 'place d'Armes' and soldiers were watching through its loopholes and at the observation post at the post of the tower by turns.
700 years after its construction, la Massane, symbolizing Argelès and bearing witness to its past, is still peering over the town. Situated at an approximate altitude of 800 metres, La Massane Tower offers scenic views over the plain of Roussillon
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The main building comprises, on the ground floor, a sanctuary the date of construction of which is not known, and, on the first floor, the hermit's home (today converted into a private flat). The south-facing wall of the edifice was built on the rock. In the block was built a chapel giving shelter to a statue of Sainte Madeleine after whom the neighbouring area is named.
It was listed as a historic building in 1944. Today the chapel is open to the public and the surrounding area have been equipped so that it can received visitors.
- 66700 ARGELES-SUR-MER The Hermitage of Saint-Ferréol-de-la-Pave consists of two parts easily identifiable and built during two different periods.
The path leading to la Pave is a section of the very ancient track which permitted to traverse the Albères by climbing the Massane valley. It was the route followed by Philippe le Hardi in 1285 during the crusade against Pere and Gran d'Aragon.
The chapel became the property of Argelès in 1858, the same year when it was consecrated to Saint-Ferréol. It was listed as a historic building in 1991.
Mairie - 66230 PRATS-DE-MOLLO-LA-PRESTE Situated at an altitude of 1540m, the Mir Tower is mentioned for the first time in the XIV century. This signal tower made it possible to police the border of Ares and to communicate by means of fires or smoke with the Towers of Cabrenç, Cos and Guardia (in the center of Fort Lagarde). From the tower site there are splendid panoramic views of the peaks and the valley, as far as the sea. This building was restored during the winter of 2009 and found its original splendour with the rebuilding of its outer walls. The installation of solar panels permits night illumination of the tower.