It is the only preserved vestige of the old medieval church of Sant Vicenç, which today, no longer exists. The site and the church of Llançà are documented from the 10th century onwards as the belonging to the Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery, which enjoyed all the jurisdictional rights over Llançà. A document from 1455 states that one of the monks held the position of paborde (a general administrator for the canonry) of Llançà, a title that still existed in 1807. It is more than likely that the previous church (Romanesque) stood next to the aforementioned bell tower. The tower was renovated in 1891 with the placement of bells and the windows of the façade facing the square were enlarged. The bells were still ranging until between 1912-1915. This old bell tower is currently being restored.
One of the most outstanding heritage elements of the town of Llançà is the old bell tower, also known as the Square’s Tower. In this photograph from the Pumareda Collection from 1964, which is part of the INSPAI Collection, the old bell tower taken from the steps of the parish church can be observed. Three openings can be seen, two of which are at the top, where the bells used to be. Right at the top of the tower, defensive elements such as the remains of merlons are still visible. As its name suggests, the tower was located in the middle of the old town, in its main square. Its height made it an ideal vantage point, providing a 360º view.
Literary Text
El qui vulgui navegar,
a Llançà!
Viure a la serra o al pla,
a Llançà!
Vinya, fruiters i olivar,
a Llançà!
Faner i Farella a la mà,
a Llançà!
Catalans al Castellar,
a Llançà!
A LLANÇÀ!, de Montserrat Vayreda
Text published on the Espais Escrits mapaliterari.cat website. Catalan Literary Heritage Network.
Location
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Bar Felip, Plaça Major, Llansá, Provincia de Gerona 17490, España
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