Caixa de Rotllan

Caixa de Rotllan is a granite burial chamber on a mountain slope at 938 meters elevation, constructed with three upright stones forming an H-shaped frame that supports a large roofing stone. The rectangular chamber inside represents a characteristic design from the early Bronze Age cultures that inhabited these valleys.

This structure dates from the second half of the 3rd millennium BC when megalithic builders created numerous burial chambers across the Pyrenees. It gained official protection in 1889 when French authorities recognized its historical value and safeguarded it as a heritage monument.

Local legends tell of the warrior Roland, whose horse Veillantif carried his body across the mountains for burial beneath these ancient stones. Today visitors can sense how this medieval narrative shaped the place as a sacred landmark for the region.

The site is accessible from Arles-sur-Tech by following hiking trails, with some paths running alongside the Bonabosc river through the valley. Sturdy footwear is essential as the terrain becomes steep and rocky higher up the mountainside.

For centuries this monument served as the boundary marker between the communes of Arles and Montbolo, making it a recognizable landmark for both settlements. This role reveals how deeply the structure was woven into the medieval geography and administration of the region.