Arinsal's La Pitavola Mountain Market Draws Crowds for Sixth Edition
The event celebrates the Parc Natural del Comapedrosa anniversary with mountain traditions, family activities, and a new wildlife sculpture amid strong attendance despite weather watch.
Key Points
- Sixth edition marked 23rd anniversary of Parc Natural del Comapedrosa with peak turnout Saturday.
- Livestock exhibits, craft workshops, and Roger Solé's charcoal kiln firing highlighted traditions.
- 20 exhibits and 22 stalls featured products from Andorra, Catalan Pyrenees, and France.
- New ermine sculpture completed wildlife trail in Riu Pollós picnic area.
Arinsal's La Pitavola del Comapedrosa market wrapped up its sixth edition on Sunday, attracting large crowds to the old town's cobbled streets despite rainy conditions, La Massana comú officials noted.
Held to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Parc Natural del Comapedrosa, the event saw its highest turnout Saturday morning under clearer skies. Families still flocked to Arinsal on Sunday amid showers, with visitors praising the choice of location amid the village's stone lanes. Organizers kept the full schedule intact, shifting outdoor-incompatible activities to the sociocultural building in the fourth quarter.
The livestock exhibition drew families eager to explore mountain traditions up close, featuring cows, calves, mares and sheep. Traditional craft displays were another highlight, notably heritage expert Roger Solé's live charcoal kiln firing on Saturday. Spectators followed the 24-hour process, culminating in charcoal extraction at noon Sunday. Hands-on woodworking and handicraft workshops also saw strong participation.
Some 20 exhibits showcased mountain life, nature and popular culture, alongside 22 stalls with artisanal products and foods from Andorra, the Catalan Pyrenees and France. Other draws included a tapa route at nearby venues, a tourist train to the natural park entrance, Esbart Valls del Nord dances such as "La Pitavola del Comapedrosa," a boletaire outing, planetarium sessions, children's activities and local trade stands.
Forger Jordi Yllamola unveiled a new corten steel sculpture of an ermine—locally called paniquera—at the Riu Pollós picnic area on Saturday. It completes a six-piece wildlife and heritage trail: pitavola, serenalla, isard, trencalòs, triton and ermine, welcoming visitors to the park.
La Massana minór conseller Roger Fité praised the family attendance and emphasis on Pyrenean heritage. Now established after six editions, the market reinforces ties to the cross-border Parc Pirinenc de les Tres Nacions, promoting ecological, social and cultural protection across Andorra, Catalonia and France.
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