Agullana: Cork History and Cultural Heritage

Agullana puts cultural history in the spotlight: the cork industry, megalithic sites, churches and the history of the Catalan cultural exile of 1939 offer different perspectives on the town. If you choose a destination based on its cultural themes, you’ll find points of interest here ranging from archaeology to festive traditions. These themes also span different periods: some tell of eras far in the past, while others reflect the town’s more recent history.

The Cork Industry and Remembrance of 1939

Agullana was an important centre of the cork industry; cork processing apparently began there around 1750. At the beginning of the 20th century, Agullana had as many as forty cork factories. Modernist buildings are considered evidence of the prosperity of that time and add an architectural perspective to the story of the town.

A permanent exhibition in Agullana explores the significance and scope of the Catalan cultural exile of 1939. Mas Perxés lies within the municipality of Agullana, just outside the town, and became a refuge during the mass exodus of 1939. The exhibition and historic refuge offer different ways of engaging with this chapter: through its significance and through the role a specific place played at the time. Check the current visitor arrangements for the permanent exhibition before visiting.

Megaliths and Necropolis

The surviving megalithic remains of Agullana date from the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, approximately 2500 to 1800 BC. The monuments include the dolmens Barraca del Lladre and Llosa de la Jaça d'en Torrent, as well as the menhirs Pedra Dreta, also known as Roc del Frare, and Menhir dels Palaus. The names give an overview of the different forms: two dolmens and two menhirs are among the megalithic monuments mentioned.

Another archaeological focus is the Can Bech de Baix necropolis. The associated permanent exhibition is designed for a broad audience, including family visitors. The necropolis has become a reference site for research into Late Bronze Age urnfields in the western Mediterranean. Thus, megalithic remains from earlier periods stand alongside a site whose significance is particularly associated with Bronze Age research.

Landscape and Churches

Agullana lies in the Serra de l'Albera, a landscape of passage with extensive forests of cork oaks, holm oaks and chestnut trees. The two dolmens mentioned are located in the forests of the Serra de Comunera, near the old cart track between Agullana and Capmany. These are two distinct geographical references: the Serra de l'Albera describes Agullana’s landscape, while the Serra de Comunera refers to the forest setting of the two dolmens.

The churches also represent different periods of construction. In terms of its size, the parish church of Santa Maria d'Agullana is described as the most spectacular example of the “Romànic III” style phase between La Jonquera and Albanyà. Documentary evidence for the chapel of Santa Maria de l'Estrada dates back to the 13th century; however, the present-day church dates from the late 18th century. The chapel’s early documentary record and the later construction date of the present-day church should therefore be distinguished.

Festivals and Crafts

The traditional Aplec de Santa Eugènia takes place on Easter Monday and has a four-hundred-year-old tradition. For precise planning, check the current annual programme. The Festa de l'Estrada takes place on the last Sunday in August; here, too, the current programme can help with planning. At the Fira de Pasqua, craftspeople offer cheese, jams and cured meats, as well as other handcrafted products. The selection may vary from one edition to another. In this way, seasonal events complement Agullana’s historical and archaeological themes with a distinct focus shaped by each festival.

Discover more destinations: Garrigàs, Llambilles, Les Llosses, Sant Andreu Salou, Lloret De Mar, Torroella De Montgri, Aiguaviva, Maiá de Montcal.

For the broader travel overview: Girona.