Vilafreser: Aulina Grossa and Medieval Manor Tower

Nature

The Aulina Grossa de la Casanova near Vilafreser is a holm oak of the species Quercus ilex ssp. ilex. Its trunk circumference is 4.50 metres. The crown reaches a width of up to 25 metres, while the tree stands 17 metres tall. The Aulina Grossa de la Casanova stands beside the Casanova farmhouse in the village of Vilafreser. The separate figures for trunk circumference, crown width and height provide a vivid impression of the proportions of this individual tree. It is precisely the combination of species and measurements that makes the Aulina Grossa a clearly identifiable natural feature within the village, rather than merely describing it in general terms as an old or large tree. Its location beside the Casanova farmhouse also directly links this natural landmark with a named property in Vilafreser.

Geographical setting

Sant Sadurní de Vilafreser defines the compact village centre of Vilafreser. The village lies on a low ridge between the catchment areas of the Farga and the Cinyana. According to a document from 1017, a cross-regional route passed through the Coll de Vilafreser. It was known as the Strata Francigena or carretera de França. Sant Llorenç de Perles belongs to the parish of Vilafreser; the place lies just over 1 kilometre as the crow flies from Vilafreser. The geographical setting therefore encompasses both the immediate village centre and named points in the surrounding area, as well as a historical connection via the Coll de Vilafreser. The different names of the route – Strata Francigena and carretera de França – preserve two traditional names for the same described route.

Culture

Can Diví has a portal with voussoirs and four Gothic windows. Can Ramon, formerly known as Mas Puig, has a lintel bearing the year 1616. Two façade windows at Can Ramon have lintels bearing the year 1774. The original building at Can Grau is said to date from the 16th century and was extensively remodelled in the 18th century. Can Renart preserves an inscription engraved in stone bearing the year 1570. After being sold in 1971, Can Joanmiquel was restored and converted into a house museum. The houses mentioned therefore display different forms of architectural evidence: portals, Gothic windows, lintels and an engraved inscription. At Can Ramon, two dates even appear side by side, while Can Grau preserves the sequence of an original building followed by extensive remodelling. Can Joanmiquel adds the later restoration and conversion into a house museum to this architectural history.

Other places at the same higher administrative level are Els Galliners, Olives and Orfes.

History

The Torre de Vilafreser is an approximately square medieval tower with four storeys, a height of 18 metres and loopholes. It was built as a manor tower in the 13th century. Initially, it protected the residence of the Vilafreser family. Its shape, four storeys and loopholes are just as much part of the traditional description as its height of 18 metres. The tower thus combines a specific architectural form with its original function of protecting the residence of the Vilafreser family.

Can Ramon formerly had a stone lintel with a Hebrew inscription. This is cited as an indication of the former existence of a Jewish settlement in the area.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vilademuls.