Catalonia: Llivia

Llívia is one of geographical anomalies in Europe – it is a small Spanish town that is entirely surrounded by French territory, making it an enclave. The reason Llívia belongs to Spain despite being inside France dates back to the Treaty of the Pyrenees signed in 1659. After the Franco-Spanish War, Spain agreed to cede 33 villages in the Querol Valley to France. However, Llívia argued that it was historically a town rather than a village, and the Spanish negotiators used this technicality to keep the town, and France eventually conceded. Today, it’s a pretty hilltop town by stunning Pyrenean landscapes. The main feature is the spectacular Santa Maria de Llivia Church from 1617 with defensive towers all around it a thick walls (amazing original frescoes inside. There is also a famous Torre de Bernat de So Tower next to church and a bit lower is the museum housing the historic Esteve Pharmacy, one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe.