Urbanya

From a population of 500 inhabitants in 1830 to just 10 permanent residents recorded by Insee in 2011, and  climbing back up with 45 residents  in 2022, the commune of Urbanya in the district of Prades is worth a visit.

Set amidst magnificent scenery in the massif du Madres, the tiny village nevertheless has a town hall with defibrillator, Wi Fi, a rather interesting little church, half ancient, half modern, and ‘le doigt du géant’, a tree in a private garden, carved into a finger pointing to heaven!

With 96 houses and a population of 500 in the 1830s, the village boasted a school, a café and a variety of artisans. Then came a storm of rain and hail in September 1907, causing considerable damage to bridges, roads and paths, causing many residents to move away.

In 1913, a new road was built, which paradoxically marked the beginning of the village’s desertification, as it was too isolated. The school closed in the 1950s, as did the village’s only café.