Vista aérea de la basílica de Santa Maria. Autor. Santi Font
The municipality of Castelló d'Empúries, located in the floodplain of the Alt Empordà and in the Gulf of Roses, is mentioned for the first time as villa Castilione in an 879 document.
Castelló d'Empúries had its heyday during the Middle Ages. In the 20th century became the county seat of Empuries, the counts established their residence and thus became the judicial centre, administrative, political and economic development of the entire seigneurial jurisdiction. It became one of the most prosperous cities of North Eastern Catalonia. The importance of Castelló in medieval times is reflected in its urban structure: the narrow arcaded streets and squares, as well as a host of buildings such as the monumental Basilica of Santa Maria, better known as "the Cathedral of the Emporda", the Old Bridge (XIII), La Casa Grin (The Big House; 15th), the building of the prison and the Bar (s. XIV) today a Medieval History Museum and Casa del Consell or Llotja (XIV), and more modern like convents, public wash placeand newly consolidated Ecomuseu-Farinera, testify to a magnificent past and make it one of the most beautiful towns of the Empordà.
Plaza de la Duana y la Llotja. Autor: Manel Puig
In 1401 the county was subject jurisdictionally to the Crown of Catalonia and Aragon. After the death of Pere II without heirs, the title of Count of Empúries it took the human King Martí I, ending the regime of independence that had the county since the 10th century. From now and throughout the modern era, the county came into full economic and demographic crisis. However, in the 18th century the ancient lake desiccation, adaptation of new land for planting, the introduction of new crops and the confiscation enhanced the expansion of the agricultural sector has been dominant until the mid-20th century with the arrival of the first tourists.
El Portal de la Gallarda. Autor: Manel Puig
The Jewish Quarter of Castelló d'Empúries, after that of Girona, was the most important of the diocese. Its history is known from the rich documentation that has been preserved, which is an important source for the study of the community. The original call was conceived in the early 18th century in the district of Puig de l'Eramala, along with the first synagogue, now dels Jueus (Jews) street. In 1238 and through the granting of a privilege granted by the Earl of Empúries Jewish community and county Castelló, this began a period of prosperity and expansion that was conjunctural economic and demographic development of the town, and involved the expansion of the ghetto to the quarter of Puig Mercadal. This relocation led to the construction, in 1284, a new synagogue was located in the Street Peixateries Velles. The community also had its own cemetery that fulfilled all the precepts of Judaism.
The call (Jewish Quarter) most prosperous stage corresponds to the last decades of the 13th and the 14th century. Under successive privileges granted by the counts, the group consolidated the foundations of the aljama at this time appears solidly structured.
Throughout the 15th century in the Jewish life became increasingly difficult, the economic plight of the Jewish community and the mass conversions, significantly reduced the community. Despite the attempt in 1442 to reorganize and recover the ancient synagogue of the Puig de l'Eramala, the community ended in 1492.
Vista aérea del Parque Nacional Aiguamolls de l’Empordà, al fondo la urbanización Empuriabrava. Autor: Santi Font
Currently, Castelló d'Empúries offers visitors a wide range of options to enjoy the history, heritage, nature and leisure.
In the town is the coastal area of Empuriabrava, one of the largest tourist enclaves and original Mediterranean and the Natural Park of Empordà Marshes (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà). |
Hello Julian, It's your cousin in the State...
© 2010 Network of Spanish Jewish Quarters - Routes of Sefarad. All rights reserved.