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Our delightful cottage situated in Fígols de Tremp in the Pre-Pyrenees, right in the heart of traditional Catalonia. It´s an ideal location to explore this beautiful region, experience high energy sports, ramble in the countryside enjoying the extensive wildlife, get to know its distinctive cuisine or simply chill out on the terrace over a glass of wine and drink in the stunning views!

There are nineteen houses in the village - or rather hamlet - and as it lies half a kilometre from the local road it is an oasis of calm. The populace left the village semi-abandoned during the nineteen-seventies, either moving down to Tremp, from where the farmers commute to their fields, or to Barcelona, from where the majority keep their homes for holidays and fiestas; the grandparent generation keeping their tiny orchards in immaculate condition when they can spare the time from looking after the children during the long summer holidays. Now people are moving back and the village is inhabited all the year round both from the original population and with newcomers from Barcelona seeking a new lifestyle. There is a great sense of community spirit and a keen interest in keeping the village alive; we have two fiestas a year and recently the millennium anniversary of the consecration of the Romanesque church was celebrated by over two hundred former Figolins!

The house
Casa Rafaela is situated at the end of a lane just away from the centre of the village. It is built in the traditional layout of the district, that is to say with living accommodation on the floors above the old stable, and it has been restored using traditional methods and materials; wood beams, terracotta tiles, etc. while incorporating all the modern appurtenances. Though in the village it looks directly over garden plots, orchards and open woodland. As no other house fronts onto the lane the parking is in effect private and there is adequate space to turn around all but the largest cars. Outside there is a raised herb garden. The ground floor, the original stable, is furnished with rustic table and chairs as well as momentoes from the past, it is now a useful room for eating in the deep shade away from the broiling summer heat, as a play room for the children as well as a secure store for sports equipment, cycles and so on. This floor features original masonry and is paved with cut stone.

Upstairs the middle floor has two bedrooms: a double (with an antique bedstead and en suite shower/toilet) and twin, as well a family bathroom with bath and washing machine. The kitchen, dining/sitting room and terrace are on the top floor. All the floors in the upper part of the house are tiled with handmade terracotta tiles. The kitchen is fitted in the local style with tiled work top. The dining/sitting room has a wood burning stove and gives access via the back door to a short lane which leads to the village square. Access to the terrace, which is completely private, is directly from the kitchen. NB: the stairwell into the top floor is open plan and a child’s safety gate cannot be fitted - so we cannot recommend the house for toddlers.

Electricity is the mains, 220v, 50Hz AC system compatible with all European appliances. Hot water is by electric immersion heater. There is a family sized fridge/freezer combination. Cooking is by Butane gas with a four ring cooker with oven/grill. There is also a microwave oven/grill, food mixer, electric toaster, real switching off kettle, etc. as well as a range of traditional pots and utensils. The house also has central heating and a wood buring stove.