Rehabilitation of Old Town Centre in Banyoles

On the periphery of Banyoles in Catalonia is a large lake that once fed a medieval system of waterways through the town. These were later covered over and used for drainage purposes. As part of the rehabilitation of the historical centre, the architects have reactivated the streams as freshwater channels, opening up some in the new pedestrian zone. The narrow lanes that link the town squares are slowly being refurbished and freed of motor traffic. Travertine from the region – from which most of the older houses are built – is being used for the paving, lending the town a monolithic character. This is relieved by the changing patterns of the stones and by the waterways, which flow in part along the house walls.