Pre-history

The first evidence of human existence in the area of Sant Feliu de Guíxols are some objects from the Palaeolithic era. Indications of later eras have also been found, like the Neolithic era, but the most important discoveries are the dolmens and the menhires found near Sant Feliu de Guíxols, specifically on the Romanyà de la Selva. Mountain; the most important is the Cova d'en Daina (a granite dolmen).

Ancient Times

The first settlement found in Sant Feliu is from the Iberian culture, in the 5th century B.C. It was located at the la punta de los Guíxols breakwater (currently Sea Rescue). It was an optimum place for defending the town. They say that the name of the town in Iberian was Kuiksalos. It’s from this that the word Guíxols was derived.

The Roman expansion also arrived at the bay of Sant Feliu. This happened at the end of the 1st century B.C. With the Romanization, the Iberian settlement moved to the esplanade, next to the riera de las Comas(Comas stream). During the 7th century there was a significant decrease in the population of the area, but at no time was it uninhabited.

After a long period of time, in 940, the Benedictine Monastery was founded in tribute to a martyr named Sant Feliu the African who, they say, was tossed into the sea from the punta de los Guíxols breakwater. This is where the modern-day name comes from, Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

Middle ages

During this era there were constant power struggles between the region’s monasteries which fought for authority and properties. It wasn’t a very stable time. While this was occurring, the citizens of Sant Feliu ventured out to sea in search of economic improvement. Mostly, they set off for Mallorca and Ibiza. Sant Feliu was an important maritime centre. The inhabitants of Sant Feliu participated in the reconquest of Mallorca under the orders of king Jaume I.

In 1258 some shipyards were built which really contributed to the prosperity of the town, but the conflicts existing between Catalonia and France for the conquest of Sicily was responsible for the city being violently attacked by the French, due to its optimum strategic maritime position from where many of the conquests of Jaime I el Conquistador (the Conquerer) and Pedro II el Grand (the Great) were launched.

In spite of the attack, the city rebuilt itself and started to prosper noticeably. This was the 14th century.

Early Modern Period

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the growth of Sant Feliu was slow; there was hunger, drought and sickness. Due to this panorama, many bandits began to appear in the area, some of which became quite well-known. But the worst part were the constant wars between the Castilians and Catalans. One of the worst was the “War of the Harvesters” (Guerra de los Segadores) in which Sant Feliu was attacked by Felipe IV (castellan side) because the bay was gathering a Catalan fleet to help Barcelona.

After the wars, the monastery walls fell and Sant Feliu grew. The industrial revolution arrived. In this industrial era, the city opted for cork and production activity. A solid cork industry was built around the production of bottle corks for wines and cavas. It was Sant Feliu’s golden era.

Modern Period

Due to industrialization, a change in mentality began to occur among the inhabitants and the progressive and republican movements began to appear. During this time, two important events took place: the arrival of the train to Sant Feliu and the construction of the Port.

When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Sant Feliu sided with the Republicans. Anti-fascist militias were organized, but they were soon attacked by the fascists from the sea. They bombarded the entire bay. On the 3rd of February of 1939, Sant Feliu was occupied by the Nationals. The war ended and the difficult post-war times began. Francisco Franco suppressed the Generalitat de Catalunya (government of Catalonia) and ordered the execution by firing squad of Lluís Companys (president of the Generalitat de Catalunya) in 1940. Later, Sant Feliu’s most illustrious son, Josep Irla Bosch, was named president of the Generalitat, despite the prohibition by the Spanish regime. He organized a government while in exile, with Josep Tarradelles. He resigned in 1954 and died in France in 1958.

Meanwhile, in the city, life continued and the tourist boom of the 60s arrived. Sant Feliu experienced another golden era.

Soon after, with the death of General Franco, Democracy returned.