History of the Eastern Pyrenees

Prehistory

the Greek presence is attested in particular with Port-Vendres, which was probably a harbor counter of relative importance (wrecks found in the port).
the department was crossed, in the littoral plain in the East, by the Via Domitia, way Roman which, on the basis of Beaucaire, was an essential link in the communications between the Iberian peninsula and the remainder of the Romain Empire.
Of many vestiges is visible today on the layout of the Roman way, in particular in current topography and toponymy. One can also see important Roman vestiges on the level of the procession of the valley of Rome and Col of Panissars (vestiges of the trophy of Pompée).
the capital of the Roussillon was localized with Ruscino (today Castle-Roussillon, as a Catalan Castellrosselló ). Roman agglomeration, located just at the edge of the Small fireclay cup on a small eminence, there remains the flush foundations of the forum and dwellings, excavated at the 19th century.

the Visigoths invade Roussillon with S.
Arab Invasions at the 9th century/10th century: found currencies with Ruscino. But very short installation probably.
Expansion religious foundations at the time Romance: Romanesque art in Roussillon…
the treated of Corbeil in 1258 bequeaths the Roussillon to the king Jacques Ier d' Aragon.
A little later the Royaume of Majorque is established by Jacques II of Majorque, wire Jacques Ier d' Aragon, in 1262. This Kingdom, which will last until 1344, will be one era of prosperity for Roussillon. Arts develop under the aegis of the kings who reside from now on at Perpignan with the Palais of the Kings de Majorque. But the Kingdom will last less than one century: in 1344, following dissidences with the Kingdom of Aragon, it is annexed by this last.
Roussillon and Cerdagne enter then under Aragonese domination.

the 17th century and the 18th century marks the blossoming of the Catalan Baroque art. The old medieval churches for the majority renovated, are increased, to see straightforwardly rebuilt. They are then decorated the splendid ones and luxuriant retables and furniture, painted, carved, gilded. This luxury often contrasts with the poverty of the communities. To quote only some buildings: the church Sainte-Marie of Espira-with-Conflent, the Saint-Pierre church of Prades, the Saint-Julien church and Holy-Baselisse of Vinça…
Roussillon, after during many years being disputed by the France and the Spain, is finally attached to the Kingdom of France from the Traité of the Pyrenees in 1659.

the department is born in 1790, the shortly after the Révolution.
the territory was pilot, in the years which follow, several battles in the conflict then opposing the Spain to the France, in particular for the revolutionary period with the Bataille of Boulou in 1794, which showed a defeat of the Spanish troops.

the 19th century marks the one era beginning of modernization and economic development for the department, with progressive construction, in particular starting from second half of the 19th century, of the railway networks and truck drivers, who will largely facilitate the transport and the exchange of the goods and the people.
the railroad arrives at Perpignan in 1858 thanks to the Compagnie of the railroads of the South, and prolonged towards the Spain twenty years later.
In the years 1970, the highway A9 puts Perpignan in direct relationship with Paris at north and the Spain at the south.

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