The peaceful Roman colonization around the 2nd century B.C. is marked by a peculiar event in the history of the city: the passage of Hannibal, Carthaginian commander.
He made a stop at Illiberis to discuss with the locals the conditions of his free passage. They finally agreed on a peace treaty that gave Hannibal the right to move freely in the region.In 550, the pope ordered the creation of a bishopric for the Roussillon and chose Elne for its See.
Starting in the eight century, Arab troops regularly devastated the Roussillon; chased from the diocese, they came back during the twelfth century. At that time the Bishop and the Chapter were the heads of Elne, Bishop Artal allowed the inhabitants of Elne to build a fortification around the city.
Only in 1197 the Treaty of Perpignan first mentions other authorities: commune, consul and conseil élu. The city was besieged in 1285 by the French who burned it down and massacred its inhabitants (traces of impacts can still be seen on the marble portal of Saint Eulalie Cathedral). In 1344 King Aragon held the city after severe fights; in 1474 the troops of Louis XI took the city after a five and a half months siege. During the war that led to the final attachment of the Roussillon to France, Elne capitulated after courageous fighting to Henri de Condé in 1641.The cathedral of Elne was built between the eleventh and the thirteenth century. From 568 until 1602 it was the episcopal See of the Roussillon, hosting a cloister in white marble built between the twelfth and fourteenth century. Despite its apparent architectural unity, the cloister shows the evolution from medieval to Gothic art in the Roussillon region.
For your sojourn in Elne we recommend a walk along the fortifications surrounding the historical centre of Elne with its wonderful view of Mount Canigou and the Albères mountain chain, and of course, a visit to the renowned cathedral, cloister and archaeological museum of Elne (for opening hours see Elne Tourist Information)
