The Royal Road from Barcelona to France was one of the main thoroughfares in Catalonia until the 19th century. These paths were the most important public by-ways before the existence of roads, and they saw a great deal of activity, with the passing of horses, stagecoaches, sprung carts, bandits and so on. At this point, where what is known as the Creu de la Mà stands, there is a well-conserved section of the royal road from medieval and modern times. What has not been found, however, is physical evidence of the Roman Via Augusta, although it is highly likely that it had passed through here.
In fact, it is at this point where the routes to the sea and mountains split off from the Royal Road, in one of the most frightening areas in the heart of La Selva, near the Hostal de la Thiona, the realm of kidnappers, assailants and murderers, who took advantage of this desolate wooded area, which since the 16th century had been known as “the most dangerous forest in the country”.
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Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU
Local Development and Employment Officer (AODL) within the new tourism management model for La Selva. Initiative subsidised by the Public Employment Service of Catalonia as part of the Local Development Support Programmes.
