The secrets of the history and culture of Begur, a town with medieval and Indian roots

La history of Begur dates back to pre-Roman times, specifically to the iberian civilization. Logically, then its name was different, but there was already a population center on the land that would later be occupied by the castle. This is confirmed by the archaeological remains found in the area.

As happened in many other cases, the elevation of the land was used to give the town a defensive advantage in case of attack. Probably, this territory would also have been chosen because of the good weather, marked by its proximity to the sea. It provided mild winters and cool summers, offering pleasant temperatures year-round. But the real origin of the town is later. Next, we are going to tell you the history of Begur and also some of its secrets.

The origins of Begur

The first document that bears witness to the existence of Begur dates from the year 889 and refers to the ceding of part of its territory to the Monastery of San Pau de Fontclara, then founded by Abbot Saborell with the support of the Frankish king Odo I. It is true that the town was not yet called Begur, but it is evident that it is the same settlement.

In fact, the first time that the current name of the town appears is in a text from the XNUMXth century, which already refers to the existence of the castle. Therefore, it would be a medieval town that lived under the protection of the lord who occupied it. The first of them, who ordered to build it, was Arnust of Begur and it would dominate a people dedicated to agriculture, specifically the vine, olive trees and cereals. Likewise, in some districts of the current municipality, local fishing was also developed, never deep-sea, an activity that has reached our days. For example, among the inhabitants of the beach areas of Sa Riera y Sa Tuna.

The medieval town of Esclanyà

At that time, another of the towns in the municipal area that we know today also began to develop and that was of great importance in the history of medieval Begur. we talk about Esclany, which has a wonderful Romanesque heritage.

In fact, the town developed around the St. Stephen's Church, whose first written mention dates from the year 1280 and which responds precisely to that architectural style. Furthermore, it has elements from different periods within that current, which suggests that there was a previous temple.

In the case of Esclanyà, during the feudal era it was under the control of the gentlemen of Cruilles, who had their own fortress. These, who at the time held the barony of Begur, received the town as a donation from the king James II of Aragon for having participated with him in a military action against al-Mariyya. He pitted several European armies against the Almohad Empire in the year 1147 and in the Iberian Peninsula. The Cruilles kept Esclanyà in their possession until 1604.

From Esclanya castle We only have a XNUMXth century tower built with small ashlars and which has battlements and a machicolation or defensive gallery. Likewise, in its lower part, on the west side, there is a semi-detached construction with two floors that would have been built using the remains of the old medieval fortress. Today we can see the tower attached to a XNUMXth century farmhouse which is still in operation as an agricultural unit.

The castle is mentioned for the first time in a text written back in 1362. This curious document talks about the rights that the inhabitants gathered around it have for fishing in the area. And even more surprising will be another fact that the text reveals. It is that they could also extract coral from the coast. But it is that the activity linked to this species constituted one of the ways of life of the Begurenses until the XNUMXth century. It was then that the cork industry burst in and caused it to be abandoned.

The history of Begur during the XNUMXth, XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries

Already in the fourteenth century, Begur became important. We know that at that time it had about one hundred and eighty inhabitants and that it was related to the city of Barcelona. However, a little later it entered a stage of decline, like all Catalonia, due to several factors. On the one hand, the call Catalan Civil War, which brought instability and led to the burning of the castle of Begur. On the other hand, the decrease in population caused by the Black Death. And, thirdly, because of the attacks of Barbary pirates.

Precisely to defend against these, the burned fortress was rebuilt and, above all, they built defensive towers. Several of them still remain today, some attached to farmhouses from a later period. so you can see that of Mas d'en Pinc, which is located in what was the residence of the dancer Carmen amaya and which today houses a cultural space on nature and the history of the municipality. But also those of Hermanac de Can Pi, Can Marqués, Pella and Forgas or Mas Mauri de Vall.

Already during the War of independence Once again, the Begur castle was destroyed. But a new activity came to get the area out of its difficulties. We refer to the cork industry, which we have already mentioned. To give you an idea of ​​its importance, we will tell you that around 1880 it had twenty-five companies that employed around four hundred employees. But, precisely at that time, a much more important circumstance occurred: the return of the indians.

The return of the Indians

As you know, the emigrants who marched to Latin America in search of fortune and that, after making money, they returned to their native towns to settle there. Likewise, they built majestic houses as a symbol of their economic strength. This return of the Indians was a common event in different areas of Spain. For example, it was also common in Asturias and in Galicia.

But, returning to the Indians of Begur, there were many who returned to the town at that time with their earnings, bringing prosperity and leaving behind a series of buildings that greatly embellished it. Between those houses you can see Can Sora, which stands out for the exterior mosaics on its porch; more races, which also included an already demolished defensive tower; the Peter Roger's house, one of the most sumptuous and with a beautiful rear façade with a double gallery, and the Mr. Puig's house, with its facade painted with ultramarine motifs.

The indianos were so important in the history of Begur and such was the volume of buildings that some of them had another function apart from housing. It is the case of his own Town hall, a modernist building that recovers neoclassical elements, or Casino, with its large windows and its monumentality.

The arrival of tourism

The return of the Indianos brought a lot of money to Begur and he provided an economic boost. But, really, it would be with the arrival of tourism when it became a prosperous town. Interestingly, the Costa Brava It was one of the first areas of Spain in receiving foreign visitors. Already in the thirties of the XNUMXth century it was common to observe vacationers who lived with the natives of the place.

Since then, the history of Begur has been linked to this activity and the number of people who travel to its municipal area has not stopped growing. This is due to its monumental heritage, but also to the beauty of its coves and beaches. Between these, those of Aiguafreda, Aiguablava, Illa Roja or Fornells.

Some curious facts about Begur

To finish our review of the history and secrets of Begur, we will show you some curious anecdotes from the town of Girona. Thus, you probably do not know that its seabeds house some treasures. Archaeologists have found ceramics, amphorae, and vessels from sunken ships. For example, they have found three wrecks from roman times with their loads and utensils, such as pots, pipes, coins or cups. They have rescued all this, but, perhaps, you also do not know that they have been replaced by replicas of the ships. Thus, you can enjoy diving among them.

However, more important are the events that are held in Begur and that are linked to its history. The most important of them is precisely the Indian Fair, which takes place every year during the first days of September. For some dates, its streets travel to the past with people dressed in the style of that time, traditional markets, Havana music and even displays of trades and overseas products.

In addition to offering lots of fun, the fair is a tribute to the emigrants who crossed the ocean to make their fortune. Not in vain, Begur has the Interpretation Center of the Indians of Catalonia. It houses a lot of historical information, but you can also visit it to learn more about the adventures of these people. In addition, the visit is completed with a guided tour through the streets to show the houses of indianos of the locality.

In conclusion, we have shown you the history of Begur making special reference to its medieval past and, above all, Indiano. But, at the same time, we have told you about the monuments from those times that have remained in the town and that you can see, as well as some activities that you can do in the beautiful Costa Brava. Go ahead and visit it.