Coastal Freedom Trail July 2017
The Coastal Freedom Trail July 2017 - Walter Benjamin route
16.7 Day 1 Perpignan & Museum de Riversautes concentration camp
Perpignan
was in touching distance of freedom and was one of the final stepping stones
leading to Spain and ultimately the free world beyond. Canet la Plage 12km east
of Perpignan was particularly important for the evasion network where some
escapees were taken away by British ships and submarines that would wait off
the beach at Canet. After airport pick up post flight delay we made a poignant visit to Riversautes an internment camp that was home to over 2,000
Jews until 1942 when they were deported to Auschwitz. We then travelled to the beautiful, coulousful coastal town Collioure.
17.7 Day 2 Walk Collioure to Banyuls sur la Mer
via Cap de Bear via Port – Vendres (17.5km + 231m or +700m) 5+hrs
We begin walking to
Port-Vendres where Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin began his escape journey
after arriving by train from Marseille. Lisa and Hans Fittko helped hundreds of
refugees over the Pyrenees to Spain) and onto Barcelona, Madrid, Badajoz and
Lisbon. We start taking in the Fort Sant Elm we head out past the Batterie
Mally ruins to the Cap de Bear. We continue around the coast to Banyuls sur la
mer. A most stunning ascent vision to the windmill with a perfect backdrop of the Collioure port, an artists haunt, will stay with me for many a year.
18.7 Day
3 Walk Banyuls sur la mer – Puig Mas – Col de Rumplissa – Portbou (13km + 700m)
6hrs
Walter Benjamin
escaped crossing the Col de Rumplissa assisted by Lisa Fittko on the F route or
Lister route with three other German Jews. On leaving Puig Mas we climb up
through wine groves to reach the col before descending, at times steeply
to Port Bou to make the escape into Spain. Many
escapees boarded the night train to Barcelona and others walked on. The end
goal was to reach Lisbon and then sail on. (13km +500m).
19.7 Day 4 Walk Port Bou to Llanca (+500m, 12.78km or including an extra 6.44km and a further climb to reach St Pere Rodes before descending to Llanca again)
19.7 Day 4 Walk Port Bou to Llanca (+500m, 12.78km or including an extra 6.44km and a further climb to reach St Pere Rodes before descending to Llanca again)
We head down towards
Barcelona to Llanca and visiting some remote beaches on the Cap de Ras.
Following this you will have the opportunity to swim in the afternoon or walk
or be driven up to Monestir Sant Pere Rodes.
It was clear the refugees were meant to keep moving through Spain; in
the words of the foreign minister of the time they were passing through Spain
as light passes through glass, leaving no trace. The Lister line first headed
to Barcelona and then Madrid and Lisbon to Havanna.
20.7 Day 5 Walk Llanca – Cap de Creus lighthouse, early
start 7hrs, 22km, coastal walk
The Cap de Creus national
park is renowned for its natural beauty and wildlife status. You will have the
opportunity to explore unusual rock formations on the coast and if time visit
the Dali museum in Port Lligat before departing to Barcelona Jewish quarter for
dinner at 9pm.
21.7 Day 6 Departures from Barcelona airport
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHaleshi Mahadev Helicopter tour is a pilgrimage heli tour to visit one of the ancient and holiest places of Nepal often called as The Pashupatinath of the Eastern Nepal. halesi mahadev
ReplyDeleteNepal Helicopter Service offers helicopter tours in Nepal. Contact Nepal Helicopter company for Everest charter flight, rescue by helicopter in Nepal Helicopter Tour in Nepal
ReplyDelete