Prona Cove

Coordinates: 42.3369300000, 3.2619900000 (map)

Despite its wild and "brave" nature, Costa Brava is a well-inhabited coast with signs of human activity found even in its most remote corners. Even in the hardest-to-access coves requiring a multi-hour hike, you may find some sort of shed or shack standing modestly by the shore. For most of those sheds, their utility is self-evident, especially if there is a jetty nearby.

The little shack found in Cala Prona Cove, the farthest-removed cove in the natural reserve of Cap de Creus (Parc Natural de Cap de Creus), has a bit more history to it than usual. For starters, it dates back to the 18th century and what is more, it has at some point made it onto the privileged list of the objects of historical significance of Catalonia.

Cala Prona is unquestionably picturesque, but fishermen value its biodiversity, abundance of plankton and fish much more than its landscape aesthetics. For instance, it's an ideal spot for tuna and mackerel fishing. To prevent crowding and overfishing, there has historically been a lottery held among fishers to assign fishing rights in the cove. The shack on the beach is used by all of them communally. (Maybe the door key is also hidden nearby?)

Visiting the Prona cove and capturing its beauty requires that you drive to El Port de la Selva and embark on a lengthy but unchallenging hike.