Gate of the Catalan Countries

Gate of the Catalan Countries
Porta dels Països Catalans, view to the south-west
Map
General information
TypeGate
Town or citySalses
CountryFrance
Coordinates42°51′15″N 2°56′16″E / 42.85417°N 2.93778°E / 42.85417; 2.93778
Construction started1368
Design and construction
Architect(s)Emili Armengol

The Gate of the Catalan Countries (Catalan: Porta dels Països Catalans), a work of the sculptor Emili Armengol, marks the Northern starting location of the Catalan Countries in Salses, Pyrénées-Orientales (this part of France belongs to what is also called Catalunya Nord, English: Northern Catalonia).

After more than 20 years since the beginning of the project (often stopped, and even sometimes forbidden), it was finally inaugurated on September 28, 2003, being visible from the highway. Its conception and execution was in charge of the Union for the Catalan Region.

The aerial view of the monument reminds one of a sickle, in reference to the Els Segadors anthem.

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42°51′15″N 2°56′16″E / 42.854299°N 2.937679°E / 42.854299; 2.937679