Solanell, Mountain village in Vila i Vall de Castellbò, Spain
Solanell is a mountain village in Vall de Castellbò situated at approximately 1219 meters elevation with traditional stone houses built using local Pyrenean construction methods. The settlement centers on the medieval church of Sant Julià, with remnants of an older chapel also visible within the village area.
The village developed as a mountain settlement reaching peak population around 1889 with about 180 residents. Gradual decline followed over decades, culminating in 1973 when the last inhabitants left and the place fell into disuse.
The stone houses follow building patterns rooted in Pyrenean mountain life, showing how residents organized their homes for the harsh climate. A medieval church and chapel ruins reveal how spiritual life shaped the community's center and daily rhythms.
The village sits in a remote mountain location requiring sturdy footwear and careful footing on unpaved paths and steep sections. Visits are possible year-round, though winter conditions make access more difficult and demand extra precautions when walking.
A preserved medieval path partly carved into the rock connects the village to nearby Albet, showing how mountain dwellers once traveled between settlements. This route etched into the mountainside served as the main link between upper Vall de Castellbò communities for centuries.
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