Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, "Pratis in Valis Asperis", the meadow in the wild valley, appears for the first time in 878. The first church is consecrated in 982; monks from the abbey of Arles sur Tech evangelize the country. In 988, "Vila Pratis" became a county town for the counts of Besalù who built a small palace there to stay in the summer. From 1242 to 1649, the Kings of Aragon protected the city and endowed it with privileges: abolition of certain taxes, creation of a university, delegation of deputies to the "Corts Catalans", the first known parliament in Europe, status of "free city", free justice. These privileges ensure continued prosperity thanks to the development of the cloth weaving industry, the iron industry using the Catalan forges process, and livestock farming.
In 1659, the city was attached to the Kingdom of France following the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees. The city, headed by Joseph de la Trinxeria and his troop of armed volunteers "Angelets de la Terra", resisted for more than 10 years royal attempts to impose the salt tax known as the gabelle.
This attachment causes an impoverishment of the valley deprived of its traditional outlets to Barcelona and Catalonia. Vauban directed the work to strengthen the city and the construction of the Fort which was part of the department's fortifications program.
In 1793, the population opened the gates of the city to the troops of General Ricardos who, after invading Roussillon, were repelled during the Battle of Peyrestortes.
In the 19th century, rigorous Frenchification, the creation of the road in 1870, and the railway, led to the departure of many inhabitants faced with the difficulties of mountain agriculture.
In 1939, 100,000 Spanish Republican refugees passed through Prats de Mollo, it was “La Retirada”.
In 1940, torrential rains lasting more than 3 days caused the Tech (L'Aiguat) to flood: roads, houses, factories were washed away. The economy of Prats is ruined.
Today, thanks to the efficiency of the waters of La Preste, the city has succeeded in reconverting its economy towards hydrotherapy and tourism.
