Torroella de Montgrí – L’Estartit municipality is situated in an area of great natural diversity comprising mountain, plain and coastal landscapes that have been transformed by man over the millennia.
The Montgrí Massif was inhabited 300,000 years ago during the Lower Palaeolithic age by a community of hunter-gatherers who found shelter from the elements in the Cau del Duc caves in Torroella de Montgrí and nearby Ullà.
In Neolithic times, some 7,000 years ago, humans settled on the Baix Ter plain. An early, tentative attempt at sedentary life was made on Puig Mascaró, and the first example of permanent group settlement in the Baix Empordà has been excavated at La Fonollera.
Neolithic shepherds and farmers used the natural caves on the Montgrí Massif as burial places. Some of these caves have dolmen-like structures, as seen in the Tossal Gros cave.
There was permanent human settlement both on the plain and on the Montgrí Massif during the Iberian and Roman periods. Camp de la Gruta is one example of the large, self-sufficient Roman villa type farmhouses, with a surplus production that led to exportation of goods.
The first documents from Torroella date from the year 888 A.D. By the 11th and 12th centuries, the original village had developed into a small town and was surrounded by defence walls.
The main growth period for Torroella occurred during the 13th and 14th centuries when proclamation as a royal town bestowed major privileges on the inhabitants. Economic growth, as witnessed by the annual Saint Andrew’s Day Fair, also contributed to making Torroella one of the major towns in the Empordà region. The church, Montgrí Castle and the urban development of Torroella are but some examples of the social and economic growth of the town.
The landscape of the plain was also transformed after the Middle Ages, with the construction of huge fortified farmhouses such as 16th century Torre Begura, built to defend its inhabitants from attack by the pirates that were devastating the Mediterranean at that time.
L’Estartit, although probably inhabited from earlier times, is first documented in the 18th century, by which time piracy on the Mediterranean Sea had abated. It was originally a small village of fisher folk who made their living from the exceptional local fishing grounds. Five families were recorded in 1716 and this number had risen to about twenty by the mid 18th century. L’Estartit developed from its maritime activity and until the mid 20th century the port shipped locally produced wheat, rice, wine and liquor out to larger markets such as Barcelona.
The oldest streets in L’Estartit are Carrer de Santa Anna and Carrer de les Illes, today the main thoroughfares of the town.
In the 19th century, the flood lands and marshes were drained and the plain was completely inhabited. Population growth in Torroella gave rise to the defence walls being pulled down.
Source: http://www.visitestartit.com/index.php?id=51&idioma=en
The professional team of Arcos & Lamers Asociados has the legal/fiscal knowledge, resources, experience and skills to help clients deal with any matters related to the services listed below.
CIVIL LEGAL AND EXTRAJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PURCHASE & SALE OF REAL ESTATE
TAX LAW: TAX AND ACCOUNTING ADVICE
CORPORATE LAW, TRADE COMPANIES
INHERITANCE, WILLS AND SUCCESSION
LEGAL AND FISCAL ADVICE IN GENERAL
Do not hesitate to contact this English Speaking Spanish law firm for any legal, tax and company matters.
Services:
