Salvador Dali elephants in Pubol castle - Spain

Salavador Dali and Gala

Pubol itself is a tiny romantic village in the middle of Catalalunya. The centre of village is Casa Museu Castell Gala-Dali, castlle that Dali presented to his muse Gala - Helena Dimitriovnie Diakonova and the church at the highest point.

The Placa Major (main square) still has a clothes washing place, buildings of Gothic-Renaissance structure and a stone bench on which the Catalan popular music band would sit on main festival days.

Built beside the castle, the church is dedicated to St.Peter, patron saint of reapers and ironsmiths.

It was built in the first half of the 14th century, is Gothic style, has a central nave, side chapels and a polygonal sanctuary on which there was the Gothic retable of Sant Pere de Pubol, made in the 15th century by Bernat de Martorell.

The castle has the appearance of a small Gothic Renaissance palace without heavy fortification. Some of the structures from 14th and 16th centuries remain, but have been largely disfigured by refurbishment work done in later periods.

The castle has the appearance of a small Gothic Renaissance palace without heavy fortification. Some of the structures from 14th and 16th centuries remain, but have been largely disfigured by refurbishment work done in later periods.

Escape the madness-sort of-by driving to Pubol. The highlight of Pubol village is a castle that Dali purchased for his wife, Gala, in the 1960s. Dali was permitted to visit the castle only at Gala's invitation; years went by before one was extended. Gala's tomb is in the castle's basement. The lovely gardens outside the castle, with a few of Dali's spindly elephant sculptures keeping company with lush greenery and trees, stand in stark contrast to the madness of Dali's world.

The building was left in a state of ruin until 1970, when it was bought by Salvador Dali as a present for his wife Gala. It was partly restored and redecorated by Dali himself and prepared themselves a double tomb there.

Gala died first and years later was laid to rest in the Dali Museum in Figueres. Legend has it that Gala awaits him still.

Gala lived here in the castle until her death in 1982. Few years after Gala died Dali move back to his sea hous at Port Lligat. 

Walking through the rooms of Castle Pubol is something special. On every step the visitor cannot help but to be continually aware of the Dali's art feeling.

In 1934 Dalí and Gala, having lived together since 1929, were married in a civil ceremony. As war started in Europe, Dalí and Gala moved to the United States in 1940, where they lived for eight years. In 1942 he published his entertaining autobiography, The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí.

In 1958, Dalí and Gala were re-married in a Roman Catholic ceremony. Gala died on June 10, 1982. He spent his remaining years back in his beloved Catalonia. The fact that he chose to live in Spain while it was ruled by Fascist dictator Francisco Franco drew criticism from progressives and many other artists. Some think that the common dismissal of Dalí's later works has more to do with politics than the actual merits of the works themselves.

Salvador Dalí died of heart failure on January 23, 1989 at Figueres, Catalonia, Spain. He is buried in the crypt of his Teatro Museo in Figueres