Spain · Footwear craft; Rope craft; Catalan heritage
Espardenya Catalana
The making of the espadrille — the rope-soled canvas shoe whose braided esparto or jute sole is the defining craft element — in the Catalan tradition centered on Gurb (Osona) and the Berguedà. The Catalan espardenya is the origin of the globally produced espadrille and is technically distinct from the Basque and Valencian variants in its use of multi-strand hemp (canem) rope sole and its specific braiding pattern. The sole is hand-braided in a continuous flat coil, then hand-sewn with a curved awl through both the canvas upper and the rope coil to produce the characteristic espadrille construction.
Risk level: Endangered · Not listed; included in Catalan intangible heritage inventory
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