Empuriabrava heritage signs renewed after sun damage

Castelló d'Empúries town council has replaced eight panels and plaques on Empuriabrava's heritage trail. Most of the signs had faded in the sun, and some had been vandalised.

The work was carried out in recent days by the council's Historic Heritage Department. The signs mark some of the most notable buildings, sculptures and sites in the residential marina.

A trail born from an anniversary

The heritage signage was designed and installed in 2017 and 2018, when Empuriabrava marked fifty years as a residential marina. Its purpose was twofold: to highlight the marina's most distinctive features and to give visitors a route through its historic, cultural and natural heritage.

The trail has 20 points, including buildings, sites and artworks. Three large boards with general information about Empuriabrava and the wider municipality of Castelló d'Empúries complete the network. They stand at the entrance to Empuriabrava, opposite the Local Police building, in the Alberes commercial area, opposite the Centre Emprèn building, and on Empuriabrava beach.

Each panel gives information in five languages: Catalan, Spanish, French, English and German. The panels also include Braille text and a QR code that links to more information about the trail.

Which signs were replaced

The eight renewed panels cover the following points:

• the old Cortals
• the building at the mouth of the river Muga
• three sculptures by Josep Tapiola: "Rellotge de Sol" (Sundial), "A l'aguait" (On the Lookout) and "Cavalls de Mar" (Seahorses)
• "El Peix de l'Amistat" (The Fish of Friendship), a sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn
• a bust of Carles Fages de Climent by Jordi Ametlla
• the information board on Empuriabrava beach

According to the council, the main cause of damage was wear from sunlight. Vandalism and scratching also played a part.

The replacements vary in type, size and format. Each one was chosen to suit its element and location, with the aim of making the information as clear and accessible as possible.

Closer to the pavement on the seafront

Two sculptures on the Passeig Marítim, Empuriabrava's seafront promenade, have a new setup. Until now, the plaques for "El Peix de l'Amistat" and "Rellotge de Sol" were fixed to the masonry bases of the sculptures. They have been removed and replaced with lectern-style panels mounted on posts on the pavement. Passers-by can now read them more easily.

This is not the first round of repairs. Last year, the council replaced six lectern-style panels on the same trail. Their colours or text had faded, or they had been damaged by vandals.

Our Take

For a place often seen mainly as a holiday resort, the heritage trail is a reminder that Empuriabrava has a story of its own. That story includes the old Cortals and the mouth of the Muga as well as seafront public art. Keeping the signs readable matters to visitors who explore on foot. It also matters to the many international residents, who can read the panels in five languages.

Two rounds of replacements in two years suggest that the Costa Brava sun, together with occasional vandalism, is shortening the life of outdoor signage. Moving the seafront panels to the pavement also points to more attention to accessibility.

It is worth watching whether the remaining panels will need similar work soon, and whether the council will choose more durable materials. Residents who want further improvements may also find an outlet in the town's participatory budget.