Camprodon Retirada Museum
Camprodon is a pretty mountain town situated at the confluence of the rivers Ter and Ritort, and it was of strategic importance towards the end of the Spanish Civil War.
Approximately half a million Spaniards fled across the Pyrenees into France during the ‘Retirada’ (retreat) following the fall of Barcelona to Franco’s forces in January 1939. This exodus, which occurred as the Spanish Civil War drew to a close, is considered one of Europe’s worst and least known refugee crises.
The ‘Retirada’ encompasses numerous routes used across the Pyrenees, rather than a single defined path. The most well-known route is the trail from Camprodon through Molló to Prats de Molló via Col d’Ares, which was used by an estimated 100,000 people in January and February 1939
As a child, Lluis Bassaganya would ride that route on his bicycle, not knowing the history. One day, he found a hand grenade and began to ask questions. For the next 30 years, he collected the discarded items left by the retreating army, as well as the personal belongings people were simply unable to carry any further.
As the soldiers would be disarmed on entering France, guns and grenades were scattered on the hillside along with many types of vehicles. Lluis and his friend Alexandre Cuadrado built up a collection which was displayed in a small private museum or stored in their respective homes.
Unfortunately, this was brought to the attention of the Guardia Civil in 2015, who arrested them for possessing arms and explosives without the necessary licences. They both faced a lengthy custodial sentence, but fortunately, this was eventually suspended. Today, the museum is located at the Espai Cultural Cal Marqués and is funded by the local government and the EU.
Lluis Bassaganya is opening the museum specifically for us and will introduce and guide us around the museum. He will speak in Castellano, and Brigid will translate to English for those who need it. The tour is likely to last about an hour and a half.
The menu for Restaurant Ca La Nasia lunch is
FIRST COURSE
1) Amanida feta amb salmó fumat (Feta cheese salad with smoked salmon)
2) Caneló de bacallà (Cod cannelloni)
3) Coca d’escalivada i anxoves (Flat bread with cold roasted vegetables & anchovies)
4) Pèsols amb pernil i ou ferrat (Peas with ham and fried egg)
5V) Vegetarian option – Coca d’escalivada i formatge de cabra (Flat bread with cold
roasted vegetables and goat’s cheese)
6V) Vegetarian option – Pesols amb ou ferrat (Peas with a fried egg)
SECOND COURSE
A) Sèpia a la plancha (Pan-grilled cuttlefish)
B) Galta al forn (Roast pig cheek)
C) Hamburguesa amb foie i ceba (Burger with foie gras and onion)
D) Xurrasco a la brasa (Pan grilled steak)
EV) Vegetarian option – Arros saltejat amb setes (Sautéed rice with mushrooms)Desserts to be chosen on the day.
Price 19 euros, including water, wine and bread. Soft drinks and coffee are not included.
Please let us know your choices by 5 pm Monday, 22 September.
Cancellation: If the event has to be cancelled for any reason you will receive an email & there will be a cancellation notice on the U3A website by 8 am on the morning of the event.
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