History of Villa Paulita
The stillness of the lake, the mystery of the forest, the challenge of the mountains. Clean air, calm snowfall, nearby stars. In the highest part of Puigcerdà, watching the swans in the pond and the peaks of the Pyrenees vigilant, inviting environment calm. But the sport, to hiking, to action in nature. So today I welcome our guests. And Ramon Volart and his wife welcomed their guests when they bought this beautiful house in 1920 – the history of Villa Paulita begins with them. Already some years ago who vacationed in Puigcerdà, but from that date is linked to this place definitely buy the villa most special of all: the “tower” next to the pond. In this house happy summers spent four consecutive generations of the same family before turning the house into a hotel so special, and open their doors to anyone wishing to enjoy these same feelings of peace and freedom. A villa by the pool of Puigcerdà.
The vacationer Ramon Volart that faced the roaring 20s when it was installed in the house, was an industrialist in Barcelona dedicated to the lace. Although his father had also been dedicated to these most special tissue was Ramon entrepreneurship that led him to the center of Europe for art machinery and skilled labor to install the first of Spain looms capable of producing a machine tulle, lace doilies and more delicate. Factory conscientious and highly creative when designing new designs for fabrics, Volart collected many successes with their tissues, which were awarded at exhibitions in Barcelona (1888), Zaragoza (1908), Brussels (1910), Barcelona new (1929) and Seville (1930), although they were among the greatest rewards of being providers of the Kings of Spain and dress fabrics with serious matters of the upper class in Spain: veils, scarves, shawls … The business required a lot of attention. But not prevented, invariably, every summer, marriage and daughter Elvira Volart return to Puigcerdà.
The capital of the Cerdanya began to be fashionable. Already in the last third of the nineteenth century was the site Puigcerdà who chose to rest a privileged few locals who began to build beautiful villas, summer houses outside environment that still surrounded the walled medieval city. Those holidaymakers first noted by his presence the place and made the wealthy Barcelona look to this remote area of the Pyrenees. Their access was difficult, it is true, but the environment was so enviable that houses summer residents began to multiply. Especially when the last Carlist War ended in 1876, the city tore down the wall to make it easier to access these new residences and many orchards surrounding the village.
One of those fields, next to the pond, was acquired in 1887 “to make it a town that has to gather the most attractive”, local media said that August. Following this initial idea, the urbanized area Arbolar had begun the previous year and was prepared to build on it a half dozen chalets (as stated chronicles journalist) would have great advantages over the rest: that of having irrigation and drinking water, and above all, its location on the highest point of the population, it would mean for its inhabitants “aires healthier” and “wonderful view”.
Although it took several years to complete all the villas, locally called “towers” and intended for recreational outsiders. Eclectic in style, have cross-shaped plan and, in one arm, stands a tower, far from the defensive aspect of architecture that inspired them, becomes the most beautiful place to admire the Cerdanya. The villas are distinguished by two-color red and ivory Brunelleschi wants to remind all of which, by the pool and next to the park in the vicinity and that would be created in 1925, has grown into a group that identifies Puigcerdà much as their old medieval spaces. An urban cluster that, for over a century, maintains its charm and air nineteenth something delicate and decadent.
Leisure time, business time
Ramón Volart rented a house every summer since the 1910s. Along with other families of “the colony” (named in opposition to “the village”, formed by usual residents Puigcerdà), the Barcelona occupied the summer enjoying the best of The Cerdenya: excursions to the woods, walks the mountain and some contemporary social activities like dances and charitable functions.
Being a man well known in the region (both his position and his character contributed to) a year he was invited to an important conclusion: the works of the railway line between Puigcerdà and Ribas de Freser entered its final stretch. As it ended that stretch, they culminate in a work that had committed several generations and different companies: join Barcelona by train and Puigcerdà fighting a devilish terrain. Such an occasion was propitious to discuss the advantages of rail, considerable savings of time and convenience would mean for vacationers having aligned their habitual residence and his favorite retreat. Ramon Volart Someone suggested that it was time to make a bid for the most beautiful of the villas, which was located next to the lake. And Ramon Volart made that offer. In July 1920, Ceretania, the local newspaper, announced that recently acquired that tower had been named in honor of Villa Paulita Paulita Pich, Volart wife and new homeowner. And publicly, the writer wished the couple “who for many years can enjoy it with all happiness.” His wishes were fulfilled.
The 20s and the beginning of 30 years were kind to the inhabitants of Villa Paulita. The house welcomed the time off of Ramon Volart and allowed to practice dressage horses, a passion he inherited his grandchildren, although he tamed horses destined to form trunks for his chariots, and his grandson Ramon Estany would practice dressage competition. That would take many years, but the industry may think of a few that have not had grandchildren when, in 1925, five years after purchase, addressed a major reform in his summer home. The prepared and modernized. He added personal touches like a leaded glass doors access greatly reminiscent of delicate lace geometric designs. He extravagant (depending on environment) notes color by placing different colored glass in windows. And left the house ready to accommodate their growing family, because at the end of that year, Elvira, his only daughter, married Jose Maria Estany. Marriage gave her three grandchildren.
Puigcerdà Also for those years were happy times. Since 1922, when the railroad finally came into service, and the start of the Civil War, the town became every year and for three months in a charming, elegant and cosmopolitan coincided politicians, industrialists and an interesting list of intellectuals. Among those who showed themselves in those years in visits and gatherings must quote Narcis Oller writers and Jacinto Verdaguer, Rusiñol painter, architect Antoni Gaudí, the historian Emmanuel Brousse or musicians Isaac Albéniz and Enrique Granados. The walks in the park Schierbeck, elegant hotels, the Grand Casino, the animation of the lake kiosk and restaurant … Everything stopped in 1936.
Since the 40s, the pace was different Puigcerdà recovered. The protagonists of “colony” returned, although not exclusively in summer: Puigcerdà was closer and they had discovered winter sports. The Golf Club of Cerdanya and the ski resort of La Molina became two of the most common in those who met the new generations of locals love with this land.
The equestrian, dressage, field trips to the forest, rising to mountain peaks next … Volart grandchildren learned to love The Cerdanya under the watchful eye of the patriarch, as Ramon went even some years his company and was kept abreast of what was happening at home. At his death, and while his son took over the looms, was his daughter Elvira which guided the destinies of Villa Paulita, which met every summer, and in the 60s, the whole family: marriage, three children with their respective spouses and grandchildren. A whole battalion occupied the town up and down using the same distribution as provided in its reform Volart 1925. In the basement was the service area: a coal, press, laundry and kitchen which communicated with an office on the first floor via a lift. At the ground floor, besides the aforementioned office and hall, there were two dining rooms (one for children), two rooms (one for the piano) and a sink. The main floor was occupied four rooms nobles, all with private bathroom and a small room. The second floor was the realm of children, because it had a large game room with ping-pong and billiards room surrounded by little ones occupied with their nannies. There were also room service. And from the same plant, and a spiral staircase, the tower was accessed. In the garden, children’s games and continued to follow this new generation to love this house and the land, Elvira, grandmother, trees assigned to each of her grandchildren. Until the late twentieth century, Villa Paulita or Volart Tower as well have called it always Puigcerdà residents, has been the gathering place for family and summer living. Only the edge of xxi century Volart heirs, inhabitants of new times and different life rhythms, stopped visiting the village regularly.
Convert the family home in this hotel was the best way for them to share their beautiful experiences and spread the happiness that this town has given its residents since 1920. Open your rooms, stables restaurant transform and rejuvenate the garden have been a way to get the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and Ramon vividor Volart alive. And the name of Paulita, the woman he loved, continue to chair the fairest village, next to the pond.
We hope to continue extending the history of Villa Paulita for many years to come.
