New route in Figueres highlights most emblematic sites linked to Dalí
Surrealist artist's birthplace unveils itinerary in which visitors are guided by tiles featuring ants, a major symbol in the painter's work
Figueres in the north of Catalonia is the birthplace of Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, and on Friday, the town inaugurated a new route dedicated to its most famous son that connects a number of sites associated with the painter.
By following a series of pavement tiles featuring ants, visitors are guided through the town to the most emblematic sites linked to the Surrealist genius, such as the house where he was born or the Dalí Theatre-Museum, where he is buried.
Behind the project is the Amics del Museu Dalí association, with the work carried out by the Figueres local council. And nor is the choice of ants for the tiles accidental, as they are one of the insects that appear most as a symbol in Dalí's work.
In all, there are some 40 tiles that take visitors from the town's tourist office and past key sites linked to Dalí, with the ultimate aim of publicizing the image and activities of the Dalí Theatre-Museum and its connections with the rest of the town.
There are three designs for the tiles by designer Jordi Palmada and architect Misse Coll: the largest (20cm) begin the route, smaller tiles (14cm) guide visitors along the itinerary, and tiles showing ants climbing on the walls of relevant places, like the artist's birthplace.
However, the route is merely the first phase of a larger project that aims to extend the itinerary to include more sites associated with Dalí, with Figueres mayor, Agnès Lladó, praising the project for further "boosting" the artist's profile.