History of Calella
From olden times to the 14th century
Whilst there was no sign of settlement during the Iberian era of Calella, it is known that the Maresme coast was inhabited by the Laietans who lived in easily defended small villages on high ground. From the 1st century AD, the progressive influence of the Romans saw the building of villages on lower ground, communicated by the Roman roads to Barcino. They were comprised of farmhouses, producing wheat, oil and wine. The remains of a roman villa dating back to the 1st century have been uncovered close to Calella hospital.
Apart from this, little is known of Calella during the first millennium. After the Arab occupation, from the 9th century, the term was part of an extensive area that went from Caldetes until Tordera. From the 11th century the existence of the neighborhood of Capaspre, integrated into the parish of Pineda and under the rule of the Montpalau castle is documented. It was formed by a small number of farmhouses located by a stream, with a defense tower and a pair of chapels, dedicated to Saint Quirze and Saint Elm.
The name of Calella turns up in documents from the beginning of the 12th century, with the danger of Saracenic attacks past, some fishermen of Capaspre built the first houses close to the mouth of the river.
The birth of Calella
There are two key dates regarding the birth of Calella. In the year 1327 the King granted the privilege of celebrating a weekly market and in 1338, when the Viscount Bernat II of Cabrera, Lord of Montpalau, conceded the deed of village to the dwellings and all inhabitants as “all villages in the area of Calella”, for which he joined under the collective name of University of Calella of Montpalau. In this document the area of the village was established, from Romaní street to the river and from the sea to the Roser hills. The privileges of the deed of settlement, confirmed again by Cabrera in 1429, and the development of fishing, led to a marked increase in population and urban growth. From 1400 the mayor of Montpalau lived in the village, acting with the jurisdiction and in the name of the Viscount and during the 15th century many farmers from Capaspre abandoned their homesteads to live in the village.
Middle Ages
According to the hearth tax of 1497, the urban area of Calella had 35 inhabited houses, plus another 9 in the neighbourhoods of Capaspre and Vallderoure. During the 16th century, the village was centered around the main square, where the market was held, and the streets of the l’Església, Jovara, de Mar (Bartrina), Batlle and la Clota (also known as the neighbourhood of Salvador, for the large amount of land that this family posessed).
Of that period several mansions are preserved, many of them fortified due to the danger of raiding Turkish and berber corsairs. In 1525, the Pope authorised the creation of the parish of Calella, independent from Pineda, and three years later the building of the parish church started. While the construction lasted, the villagers used the chapel of Saint Elm, dedicated from the 19th century to Saint Quirze and Saint Julita. In 1564 the new church was consecrated and in 1599 the Cabrera family conceded new privileges establishing the municipal council, with counselors, elected on a yearly basis, dividing the inhabitants into three classes: wealthy, workmen and labourers.
There was a long period of stagnation due to the wars and the plagues of the 17th century. In 1714, after the war of Succession, the town began a long period of sustained growth, going from 768 inhabitants in 1718 to 2.637 in 1787. At the same time the traditional activities of agriculture and fishing were complemented with the construction of ships and needlework. Thanks to the new trade routes with the American colonies and the growth of the fishing industry, the region benefited enormously. Emigration to these new markets and the success of many traders, who returned years later, helped the economic development of the town.
According to the traveller Francisco de Zamora, who visited the region in 1790, Calella had some 550 houses, a fleet of 5 ships weighing four tons and 60 fishing boats; there were 370 men registered as fishermen and needlework occupied almost a thousand women. The traditional industry of knitwear was also developed in that period. In 1767 the first loom had arrived and by 1790 there were already more than 200, devoted to the manufacture of silk and cotton stockings.
In the middle of the 18th century the church collapsed, reconstructed soon afterwards and enlarged later in 1785. At the end of the century many new streets had been added to the town, but with the main areas of development still remaining the streets of l’Església and Jovara.
The 19th and 20th centuries
The first decades of the 19th century were affected by the war in France and the subsequent revolts. In spite of this, the industrial activity, centered in the textile sector and the transatlantic trade, maintained a good rhythm. From 1854 the construction of large ships and fishing boats began. Soon afterwards in 1861, the train arrived for the first time to Calella. By this time the population was over 3.500 inhabitants, and stayed at this number until the end of the century. The reduction in sea trade due to the loss of the colonies was compensated by the opening of the first steam factories in 1885.
The beginning of the 20th century was a glorious period for industry in Calella which came to an end with the civil war. The growth of the textile industry was matched by tourism, especially from the 1960’s. This trend was well shown in the population growth; large increases from 1900 until 1930, stagnation until 1960 and again spectacular growth during the 60’s and 70’s.
The touristic development and immigration have transformed radically the traditional image of the town, with an increased density of hotels and holiday apartments. The lack of urban areas has aided the growth of neighbouring towns, and contributed to the appearance of new neighbourhoods, such as Poblenou of Pineda, next to Calella.
The historical and artistic heritage of Calella
In spite of the spectacular transformation of the town from the 60’s, Calella preserves, in good part, the urban structure of its original centre and the original outline of its first square, described by Zamora in 1790, when he described the town as "the most elegant town we have seen on our journey, for the wide, straight avenues, the buildings and the general cleanliness of houses and streets…”.
Of the past of what was now known as Calella there was little sign. Only Mas Salvador showed the importance of agriculture in the economy of the town during many centuries.
The most interesting part of the city is undoubtedly the Town square, where from the 14th century the market that originated the posterior urban growth was celebrated. Worth mentioning are several Gothic mansions, which preserve to a large extent their original structure and the decorative elements of the 16th century; the arch doors, keel arch windows with sculpted shields and the remains of their defensive structure. Some of them have been accurately restored, others needing urgent work. In any case, these buildings constitute the most valuable part of the architectural heritage of Calella and it is necessary to note their importance, as much from the artistic point of view, as historical.
In the same area is the chapel of Saint Quirze and Saint Julita, dating back to the 16th century, and not very far away the 18th century baroque parish church of Saint Maria and Saint Nicolau, that preserves the magnificent reliefs of Jean de Tours at the front door, originally from the altar of the 16th century primitive temple.
The Museum-Archive of Calella is installed in a 17th century mansion and has many examples of the local traditions and of the work of several local artists. Of special interest are the documents preserved in the historical archives, the contribution of several families from Calella. There are parchments that go back to the 11th century and that allow us to follow the history of the town from its origins.
The 18th and 19th centuries left their mark with the foundation of the Capuchin and Lestonnac religious orders and also the emblematic remains of the turrets which were used for telegraphing.
And finally, the architecture of the 20th century with its modern designs are expressed in a large number of buildings from the beginning of the century, work of the municipal architect, Jeroni Martorell. One of the most striking buildings from this period is the large factory Llobet-Guri, a part of which is at present owned by the town.
Taken all together, it makes up an impressive town heritage, in general little known and appreciated, with elements that surpass the strictly local frame.
Calella
Guide of the historical and artistic heritage
Study Centre of Heritage Information
1997
