This world-famous artist, the greatest exponent of Surrealism and the paranoid-critical method, is the best-known of all Empordanese celebrities. One part of his legacy, owned by the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, is located in our district: the Gala Dalí Castle House-Museum of Púbol. In 1954, when he married Gala, Dalí promised her an Italian castle which would be the refuge where she could maintain her privacy and where he could not enter without her consent. The years went by, and Dalí finally fulfilled his promise in 1970 by buying the castle of the tiny village of Púbol. The building was in very poor condition, and the restructuring and restoration works were quickly commenced under the orders of the artistic genius himself. The interior decoration was created by Dalí in its entirety, with the result that the whole castle became one of his own works, a gift for his adored Gala. When she died, in 1982, she was buried in the basement mausoleum also designed by her husband.

Shortly afterwards, the Monarchs of Spain granted Dalí the title of Marquis of Púbol. After the burial of his wife, the artist made the castle his home until, on 30 August 1984, an accidental fire occurred in the building, causing Dalí serious burns. He was rushed into a hospital in Barcelona, and never set foot in Púbol again.

The Gala Dalí Castle House-Museum of Púbol forms part of the group of three museums owned by the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation, in which many of the artist’s works are on view. The Castle of Púbol displays original works – furniture, paintings and sculptures – of incalculable value, all designed by Dalí. Moreover, visitors can admire the garden, decorated with sculptures and the fountain dedicated to Wagner.

During the 1960’s, Salvador Dalí was a close friend of ‘El Gitano de Llafranc,’ ‘The Gypsy of Llafranc,’ the popular nickname of Manel Bisbe, one of the owners of the Hotel Llafranc. This hotel was one of the Costa Brava’s most important centres of cultural and social activity of that time. It was famous for its parties and the quality of its service and its menu. A large number of celebrities passed through here: Carmen Amaya, Kirk Douglas, Rock Hudson, Sofia Loren Dalí’s friendship with the hotel’s owners led him to present them with one of his paintings, which remains on show in the hotel along with several photographs of the artist and other well-known personalities.