Exploring the Submerged Cannonball Factory and Chapel in Catalonia

As severe droughts have emptied the Darnius Boadella reservoir, revealing old buildings buried for decades, Catalonia’s terrain has shown an unexpected gem. Comprising the Sant Sebastià chapel and the Royal Foundry of Sant Sebastià of the Muga, this hidden historical wonder presents a unique window into Spain’s past and a rare chance for research.

The Royal Foundry of Sant Sebastià, Muga
Built-in 1771, the magnificent reminder of Catalonia’s industrial past is the Royal Foundry of Sant Sebastià in the Muga. Once the first charcoal blast furnace in the area was used for cannonball manufacture, it was vital in the military history of Catalonia. Originally in what was previously the Sant Sebastià area of Sant Llorenç de la Muga, this site has been buried underwater since 1969 once the Darnius Boadella dam was finished.

The strategic position of the foundry explains its historical relevance. Built close to vital resources were iron ore from surrounding mines, water for hydraulic bellows, and wood for charcoal. However its manufacture stopped about 1794 because of the damage the French troops inflicted during the War of the Pyrenees. The discovered foundry was buried and forgotten; it never was rebuilt.

A Unique Chance to Discover
A prolonged drought starting in 2021 caused the water level of the reservoir to drop to hitherto unheard-before lows, thus revealing these historical sites. The public could now visit the foundry, for the first time in more than fifty years. Now partly visible, the once-submerged site provides tourists with an interesting exploration experience.

Local historian Marià Baig, who has studied the foundry in great detail, says the site is bigger and more striking than expected. With their disintegrating walls and roofless buildings, the ruins present a terrible but elegant perspective of Catalan history. These once-submerged buildings, now on show for the elements, are amazing and bizarre.

The chapel known as Sant Sebastià
Rising from the depths alongside the foundry is the Sant Sebastià church built in 1609. Inspired by the name of the foundry, this little stone church offers a contrasting but equally fascinating historical element. Though worn and roofless, the chapel’s small nave and domed apse nonetheless radiate peace and spiritual relevance.

The chapel’s presence adds still another level of complexity to the local historical story. Its position, next to the foundry, lets guests see the past of the area fully by combining industrial and religious history in one place.

An unusual landscape
Examining these historic buildings against the bleak backdrop of the emptied reservoir is both terrifying but fascinating. Originally containing 60 cubic hectometers of water—equivalent to 24,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools—the reservoir now only has 11% of its capacity. This change from a busy recreational area to a dry, cracked basin emphasizes the extreme influence of climate change.

You will come across traces of a once-thriving water body as you stroll over the valley, now replaced by meandering streams and dried grass. The fading yellow paddleboat caught on the shoreline accentuates the impression of time passing and abandonment.

Revealing Treasures Hidden Within
Finding these historical sites because of the drought emphasizes the larger influence of environmental changes. Similar discoveries have come forth at other Catalan reservoirs. Usually just partially visible, the Romanesque church of Sant Romà de Sau has been revealed by the Sau reservoir, close to the eastern border. Analogous revelations of the Romanesque Sant Salvador de la Vedella abbey from the Baells reservoir have exposed

Opening these locations presents a unique chance to commune with the past. The foundry and chapel remain visible but are now mostly accessible by boat as the water levels at the Darnius Boadella reservoir have somewhat improved and approach roughly 23% of capacity. The Darnius Nautical Club lets guests discover these historical places from the sea by means of kayaking and canoe trips.

Conclusion
You can consider the ephemeral character of these revelations as you walk out of the chapel and the factory. The juxtaposition of the vivid past with the present condition of the place prompts reflection on how historical legacy and environment are affected by climate change. Seeing these once-submerged sites—walking among the Royal Foundry’s ruins and investigating the Sant Sebastià chapel—gives one a strong historical link. Revealed by an environmental crisis, the narrative of these buildings reminds us of the fine equilibrium between humans and nature. Look back at the exposed ruins and picture a time when they will once more be buried by reservoir waters, so safeguarding them for generations. For those who want to discover Catalonia’s secret past, they provide a singular and provocative journey till then, acting as physical ties to a bygone age.