Porta dels Països Catalans

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The Porta dels Països Catalans ( Catalan : Gate to the Catalan Countries ) is a monument by Emili Armengol and marks the historical border of Catalonia , which was in place until the Peace of the Pyrenees in 1659 and which today represents the limit of the distribution of the Catalan language . The monument is located at the level of the Fort of Salses , in the immediate vicinity of the French A9 motorway ( European route 15 ), which is called La Catalane between the junction at Narbonne and the French border . It took over 20 years from the initiative of the Unió per la Regió Catalana to its implementation. The inauguration took place on September 28, 2003.

The overall picture is reminiscent of the characteristic arches of a Catalan country house. The COR-TEN steel pillars stretch out like the fingers of a hand and form an allegory of the Senyera , the flag of Catalonia. The floor plan is sickle-shaped and thus makes direct reference to the national anthem of Catalonia Els Segadors (The reapers).

The arcs are arranged in such a way that they are permeable to the eight directions of the compass rose . According to Emili Armengol, the gate should be wide open to all people, thoughts, skin colors, languages ​​or beliefs. It is just a landmark that indicates where the Països Catalans start. It should greet everyone who wants to enter.

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Coordinates: 42 ° 51 ′ 15.4 "  N , 2 ° 56 ′ 15.6"  E