This route is a tribute to the villages that welcomed refugees from the fascist regimes during the different wars of the 20th century. We will start from Argelés-sur-mer, where we will visit the memorial of the concentration camp, a refuge for almost 80,000 people. It was built in February 1939, often offering inhumane conditions. We will continue the trip until we reach Collioure, the town where Antonio Machado died on February 22, 1939 after 27 days in exile.

We will retake the itinerary in Cervera de la Marenda where we will explain the border crossing and its international railway station. From there, we will cross the border through the Coll de Belitres to Portbou, the town where the philosopher Walter Benjamin died in 1949, when he was fleeing from nazism. This border crossing was not only used by republican exiles, but was also a main entry point for Jewish refugees. Benjamin was captured but, during the night before his deportation, he decided to end his life. Years later, in 1994, the Israeli artist Dani Karavan designed a monument in his memory.

We will continue the route to Port de la Selva and  we will end this trip at Sant Ferran’s Castle in Figueres, where the last session of the Republican Courts was held. In this military fortress, one of the largest in Europe, 62 of the 473 deputies of the Chamber met, and discussed different points related to the end of the war and its defeat.

Schedules and duration

4 days and 3 nights / Departures on request for groups of at least 20 people.

Includes / Does not include