The Espluga de Cuberes International Workshop was the first milestone of the Euro-Mediterranean project ‘Living on the Cliff’, which is to carry out an analysis of troglodytic habitat and rural depopulation in the Mediterranean. The aim of this project is to systematically study this typology of troglodytic architecture throughout the Mediterranean basin and to analyse the opportunities it offers in its preservation for diverse functions and local development.
The workshop was held in Pallars, a Pyrenean region in the north of Catalonia, between 26 August and 7 September 2024, with the participation of a multidisciplinary group of 30 professionals from 8 countries of the Mediterranean arc.
It was organised by RehabiMed with the collaboration of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the University of Cagliari with the support of ICOMOS, AECID, IEMed, the UfM and the Generalitat de Catalunya and the essential involvement of local organisations such as: Geoparc Origens, Baix Pallars and Talarn Town Councils, Ecomuseu Valls d’Àneu and the College of Technical Architecture of Lleida.
THE PLACE
The workshop took place in Espluga de Cuberes, a large estate with several buildings taking advantage of a large cavity in a cliff of the Cuberes mountain range, within the Geopark Origins recognised by UNESCO.
It is a group of buildings begun in the 10th century, inside a cavity in the mountain. The cave is some 300 metres long and some 40 metres deep in the sections that go deepest into the rock. To get there, it is necessary to take a short excursion and walk for a little over an hour.
Among the buildings that make up the settlement, it is worth mentioning the interesting Romanesque church of Santa Coloma (11th century), which probably formed part of a Benedictine monastery for women, linked to that of Gerri de la Sal and Sant Pere de les Maleses. There are also three residential buildings that show the evolution over time of the medieval farmhouse that replaced the monastery. On the other hand, other service buildings can be identified, such as a large bread oven, two fountains, a granary and other minor constructions. The site constitutes an enclosed and fortified enclosure of great historical interest, around which there is a series of terraced fields in which everything necessary for a self-sufficient and fairly rich economy has been produced, with cereals, vines, olive trees, vegetable gardens, goat and sheep farming, etc.
The masía (farmhouse) and its farmland were abandoned in the mid-20th century, as part of the wave of migration suffered by the Pallars region, and it is already showing signs of significant degradation.
THE METHODOLOGY
The workshop has developed field data collection activities and the elaboration of the information collected. Lectures and technical debates were also organised, as well as visits to similar sites in the area.
On the one hand, the territorial scale has been worked on in its natural environment (landscape and geology), the humanised territory (ethnobotany, crop and water management), the history and archaeology of the area,and the material and immaterial heritage. Participants presented similar examples of troglodytic settlements in their Mediterranean countries. Moreover, discussions were opened on rural depopulation and abandoned villages and the challenges for preservation.
The analysis was holistic and interdisciplinary, with the participation of various professionals and local experts: Geology (Xavier Mir), Use of the natural environment (Àreu Riu and Jordi Castilló), Geography and demography (Arcadi Castilló), Archaeology and history (Maite Arilla , Jesús Sánchez and Cisco Farràs), Urban planning (Carlo Atzeni), Architecture (Xavier Casanovas), Construction (Josep Coll and Joan Ramon Rosell), Bioclimatism (Xavier Casanovas), Traditional ways of life (Ignasi Ros) or Mythology and legends (Pep Cuello).
FIELD WORK
The first task carried out in Espluga was to carry out a precision graphic survey, for which photogrammetry and laser scanner techniques were used. On the basis of the graphic information, several working groups were organised, focusing on the different aspects to be analysed, which have deepened its knowledge: the natural environment and its use, the study of the urban structure of the settlement and its accessibility and the different existing buildings, seeking a historical chronology to know its evolution. This has made it possible to document the settlement in detail, identify the construction techniques and materials, carry out a structural and constructive diagnosis and study the bioclimatic behaviour of the habitat.
VISITS
As a complement to the knowledge of Espluga and to provide information on other revitalisation experiences in the area, the participants went on expert-guided visits to various places in the region.
Esplugell Cave
Located in the Serradell Valley, known for the large number of caves with documented prehistoric remains, this cave is an example of the permanence of occupation for residential purposes until recent times. A similar case to that of La Espluga.
Aramunt Vell (Old Aramunt)
A village abandoned in the same period as Espluga, which was the object of a municipal initiative for its regeneration, through the creation of a School of traditional construction trades. Unfortunately, after about 10 years of work and rehabilitation of some buildings, the school was closed due to lack of resources and today the village is once again abandoned.
Refugio de Cuberes (Cubere refuge)
An old abandoned mountain building at the head of the Cuberes mountain range was renovated by two young people to convert it into a refuge that facilitates visits to the area. A private initiative that has made it possible to safeguard the building and boost the area’s economy.
Buseu project
Abandoned Pallares village, which was bought by a private individual to rehabilitate it and turn it into a quality tourist attraction related to nature and the environment, especially as a bird and wildlife observatory.
PRESENTATION OF THE RESULTS
To close the workshop, on Saturday 7th September at the Epicentre in Tremp, a presentation was made of the results achieved with the Espluga de Cuberes workshop, open to all those interested in the region. The ‘Living on the cliffs’ project was also explained, highlighting the importance of this shared heritage throughout the Mediterranean. In a round table with local agents, future projects for the preservation and development of the territory were discussed.
Currently there are only occasional studies on troglodytic habitations, and this first workshop is intended to be the starting point of a very ambitious project that aims to analyse, study and inventory troglodytic architecture throughout the Mediterranean, including North Africa, the Middle East and Southern Europe.
ORGANISING TEAM AND PARTICIPANTS
They have contributed to the workshop:
Anthony Bou Kabalan Geagea, Darda Bencheikh, Najem Eddine Romdhane, Dahbia Abbou, Hafsa Özdemir, Joyce Raffoul, Ziad Abuowda, Nouhaila Taim, Mouna Bouziri, Ali Assouab, Amira Sabai, Hela Ammar, Asma Dehbia Oumediber, Andrea Margagliotti, Giulia Marchiano, Maria Carla Samiu, Ariel Alejandro Gajardo, Sara Vima, Felipe Buil, Xavier Mir, Àreu Riu, Jordi Castilló, Maite Arilla, Jesús Sánchez, Arcadi Castilló, Cisco Farràs, Carlo Atzeni, Xavier Casanovas, Josep Coll, Joan Ramon Rosell, Ignasi Ros, Pep Coll, Peter Hall i Tomàs G. Espot.
The project has been promoted by RehabiMed Association with the collaboration of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and the University of Cagliari, with the support of ICOMOS, the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID), the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the Generalitat de Catalunya and various universities and local Mediterranean organisations. In addition to national and international organisations and entities, local organisations such as Geoparc Origens, the Baix Pallars and Talarn town councils, the Ecomuseum Valls d’Àneu, the Diputació de Lleida (IEI) and the Col·legi d’Arquitectura Técnica de Lleida have also been involved.
