Puigcerda dates from 1177 as a major town, and had been an early settlement of one of the most powerful Celtic tribes in old Spain, the Cerretani, or Ceretans of Cerdania. They were conquered by the Romans. Cerdania, the area of Puigcerta and its broad surrounds, extends over the Pyrenees into France, with a formal partition implemented in 1659. Ceretans produced excellent ham, even back to Roman times.
This is a thriving town economically, and a lake created back in the 13th Century offers a splendid walk. Parking is impossible. Take your sextant and photograph where you are and GPS it, and pray.
Puigcerda, Spain.There is a hotel in town, but by the time we tried to find our way back there, we already had found this lovely one: Villa Paulita. We get no kudos for recommendations, but do recommend this one. The dining and conference center are adjacent. Hospes Villa Paulita.
Puigcerda, Hotel Villa Paulita, Cerdanya, SpainThe Cerdanya Valley is partially in Spain, partially in France, with historical boundaries fluctuating. The French town, Bourg-Madame, also known for the Pass from Spain to France, is close.
General sources
Cerretani: http://www.tartanplace.com/tartanlegend/celtictribeseur.html
History of Puigcerda: http://www.puigcerda.cat/gaudeix/guiapuigcerdaangles.pdf
Tourism sites: http://www.spain.info/en_US/ven/otros-destinos/puigcerda.html
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