The houses of the "Americans" and the Perola or Clock Tower

The Legacy of the "Americans" and La Perola in L’Estartit

In the 19th century, as in many other towns, several men from L’Estartit emigrated to the Americas in search of fortune. These emigrants became known as the “Americans” or “Indians”.

Among them were the Marquès brothers, who left for Cuba and returned after making their fortune. They commissioned the construction of two identical colonial–style houses on Carrer de Santa Anna, at numbers 24 and 26, with the inscription on the stone lintel dating back to 1875. The colonial style is characterised by its symmetry, straight lines, and large windows and balconies, which gave the houses an imposing and grand appearance.

Another important landmark in L’Estartit is La Perola, which was the site where fishermen dyed their nets. The nets, made of cotton, required careful maintenance to restore their dark colour, which was more effective for catching fish. The name Perola comes from the cauldron used to cook the dye.

La Perola was in operation until 1890 and is also known as the Clock Tower. In 1878, the town hall installed a clock with the financial assistance of the Marquès brothers. Today, the site features a sundial and a surrealist artwork by Joan Fuster, a painter from Torroella de Montgrí, adding a modern artistic element to this historical location.