Rabós

Also known popularly as Rabós de l'Empordà, it is a rugged terrain covered with cork oaks. The village is near the Orlina River, as noted in the 17th century by the geographer Pere Gil. According to him, the river got its name because, centuries ago, its sand contained particles of gold.

It remains an agricultural municipality, but vineyards, which were once predominant, have been declining since the phylloxera plague devastated them in 1860. Its population has been decreasing since then.

• 🌍 Paratge Natural d'Interès Nacional de l'Albera. It is made up of two distinct sectors: a western one that includes Recasens Castle and an eastern one with the Sant Quirze de Colera monastery, separated by the Coll de Banyuls area. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 Monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera, Camí de Rabós a Vilamaniscle, s/n (The road is not paved.), ☏ +34 972 563 082, ajuntament@rabos.cat. The monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera is a Benedictine abbey in the former county of Empúries, within the boundaries of the Diocese of Girona. It is an architectural complex composed of the Basilica of Sant Quirze, various monastic buildings organized around the courtyard of the cloister, a defensive tower, and remains of a section of the wall. It also includes the church of Santa Maria and the remnants of the old hospital. The monastery is about 5 km away and near the old road to the Coll de Banyuls. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 Parish Church of Sant Julià de Rabós. Jul-Aug: Tu-Tu 11-14:00 & 16:00-19:00; Sep 1-15: Th-Tu 11:00-13:00; winter: Sa Su holidays 11:00-13:30. Sant Julià de Rabós is a Romanesque church in the urban center . The church is a Romanesque building with a single nave ending to the east with a semicircular apse. The nave is covered by a pointed vault. In the 14th century, the church was fortified, increasing the height of the walls and constructing battlements. In a dubious document from the year 844, the authenticity of which is questionable, the church of Rabós is mentioned within a group of twelve churches belonging to the monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera, against the claims of the Count of Empúries, who had usurped them. Joan Badia i Homs does not accept the authenticity of this document and believes it is a forgery by the monks of Colera, made in the 13th century, to reaffirm their rights against the Count of Empúries. In the year 1072, in the endowment of Berenguer Renard de Quermançó to his son Dalmau, on the occasion of his admission to the canonry of Girona, Bishop Berebguer promised that upon the father's death, he would grant Dalmau the church of "Rabidonis" as part of the Girona see. In the Decimarum Rationes of the years 1279 and 1280, the church is mentioned as "ecclesia de Rabidonibus" and "Rabedonibus," respectively. In the late 13th century, in a purchase document by Abbot Berenguer de Vilatenim, it is mentioned as "Parrochia Sti Juliani de Rabadonibus." In 1362, it appears in the Green Book of the Girona. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 Sant Quirc i Santa Julita. The church was constructed in the late 18th century (1785) and was financed by Josep de Nouvilas and his son Pere. Its dimensions are quite large in relation to the local population it serves. This is attributed to Nouvilas' intention to establish a new village, Sant Quirc de Colera (not to be confused with the Monastery of Sant Quirze de Colera), around the church and Mas Nouvilas. Similar to the founding of Colera in the late century, it was established in connection with the parish of Sant Miquel de Colera. (updated Nov 2023)

• Church of Santa Maria de Colera: 12th century
• Church of Sant Romà de Delfià: 11th century
• Megalithic Monuments:
  • Menhir of Mas Roquer
  • Dolmen of Coma de Felis
  • Dolmen of Comes Llobes dels Pils
  • Dolmen of Solar d'en Gibert
  • Dolmen of Dofines
• Les Orelles de la Mula

• Hikinkg: GR 11 (Pyrenees Trail) goes from Higuer Cape in Hondarribia to Cap de Creus in Cap de Creus Natural Park

• 🌍 El corral de Sant Quirze (follow signs to Monestir de Sant Quirze de Colera; the final part of the road is unpaved), ☏ +34 972 193 186. Th-M. Catalan cuissine, grilled meats. Is better to make a reservation on weekends. around €30. (updated Nov 2023)

As of Jan 2024, Rabós has 4G from all Spanish carriers, but the signal is poor on the approach highways. 5G has not reached town.