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 on Tech evangelize the country. In 988, "Vila Pratis" became county town of the Counts of Besalù who build a small palace to stay there in summer. From 1242 to 1649, the Kings of Aragon protect the city and endow it with privileges: suppression of certain taxes, creation of a university, delegation of deputies to the "Corts Catalans" first known parliament in Europe, status of "free city", free justice. These privileges ensure continued prosperity thanks to the development of the sheet weaving industry, the iron industry through the Catalan forge process, and livestock farming.
In 1659, the city is attached to the kingdom of France following the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees. The city, headed by Joseph Trinxeria and his troop of armed volunteers "Angelets de la Terra" resist for more than 10 years the royal attempts to impose the tax on salt said the salt.
This attachment causes an impoverishment of the valley deprived of its traditional outlets on Barcelona and Catalonia. Vauban directs the works of strengthening of the city and the construction of the Fort which are part of the program of the fortifications of the department.
In 1793, the population opens the gates of the city to the troops of General Ricardos who after invading Roussillon will be repulsed during the Battle of Peyrestortes.
In the nineteenth century, a rigorous francization, the creation of the road in 1870, the railroad, led to the departure of many inhabitants faced with the difficulties of mountain farming.
In 1939, 100,000 Spanish Republican refugees transit through Prats de Mollo, it is "La Retirada".
In 1940, falls of torrential rain for more than 3 days will cause the flood of Tech (L'Aiguat): roads, houses, factories are washed away. The economy of Prats is ruined.
Today thanks to the effectiveness of the waters of La Preste, the city has managed to reconvert its economy towards hydrotherapy and tourism.
