Carmen Amaya

Carmen Amaya was born on November 2, 1913, by the sea, in Somorrostro , Barcelona . Her life, however, is surrounded by mystery and legend, as befits all myths.

She began dancing at a very young age in the taverns of Barcelona accompanied by her father, Chino . A brilliant dancer and a woman of temperament, Carmen Amaya had an intense and passionate life, and became a flamenco legend.

After traveling around Europe and America and dancing in the best theaters, cabarets and dance halls, she returns home transformed into a myth.

The dancer was looking for a place to gather between tours and rest and, as the story goes, Carmen Amaya fell in love with the Pinc farmhouse because of a photograph that her representative showed her.

A great bond was immediately established between the dancer and Begur , participating altruistically in everything that was asked of her.

His last act of generosity was organizing a dance in the old courtyard of the Forgas factory to raise money to illuminate the Begur castle, which was attended by personalities such as Salvador Dalí and Gala or Madeleine Carroll .

Due to her fragile state of health, she suffered from kidney failure, she fell ill and the artist herself asked to be transferred to Begur , because she wanted to die at home.

On November 18, the day before her death, the City Council named her the adopted daughter of Begur and agreed to name the street that goes from the hermitage of Sant Ramon to the Mas d’en Pinc as “Passeig Carmen Amaya” . Carmen Amaya died on November 19 in the morning in her bedroom at the Mas d’en Pinc. As she had wished, she was buried in Begur, accompanied by the entire town, family, admirers, friends, authorities and personalities from all over.

A few years later, however, her widower, Juan Antonio Agüero , had her remains transferred to Santander . The City Council bought the Mas d’en Pinc in 1965. Currently, the Mas d’en Pinc is a space open to the public with a small exhibition-tribute to the dancer. The rest of the building is occupied by the Environment Area, which coordinates 7 spaces that act as headquarters for entities dedicated to the Environment, Territory and culture.

For more information: go to the Mas d’en Pinc telephone number.