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Catalunya (in Catalan) - Catalonia (in English) – Cataluña (in Castelleano)
However you say it, Catalonia has its own unique character which sets it apart from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is a fascinating place to visit not least because of its cosmopolitan capital, Barcelona, arguably Spain’s most sophisticated city and without doubt one of the most exciting cities on the planet.
The northern border of Catalonia consists of awesome Pyrenean Mountain landscapes which offer some of Spain’s best walking and climbing country along with a number of good ski resorts, largely undiscovered by foreign visitors. With its own autonomous region and ancient language, Catalan, the local population maintains a fierce sense of individual identity. It would be a great insult to a Catalan to suggest that his or her language is no more than a dialect of Castilian Spanish.
The Catalan Language
Catalan, one of Catalonia most distinctive features, is a Romance language understood by as many as 12 million people in portions of Spain, France, Andorra and Italy. The spoken language spread around the Mediterranean during Middle Ages through victory over the kingdoms of Majorca, Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, Athens and Neopatria. In fact the language is unique although it is Latin-based and some of the vocabulary is similar to Spanish and French.
During the 14th century it was one of the most widespread languages. Catalan went through various periods of prohibition and even of repression, such that changes in the extent to which the language was used in its own territory from the 18th century on were due to politics. Under the Nationalist dictatorship of General Franco (1939-1975), the Catalan language and culture were subjected to unprecedented persecution.
In the 19th century, during the Renaissance period Catalan was reborn as the language of literary culture. The Renaissance raised awareness of the lack of unity in the use of the language and subsequently led to the language being codified through the publication of Spelling Rules, the Spelling Dictionary, and the Catalan Grammar. During the 20th century, Catalan was finally restored to its official language status, which it had lost in the 18th century. However, the Civil War and its consequences made the use of Catalan in public forbidden and the language retreated once again into the home.
Catalonia was one of the main hot beds of resistance to the Franco regime in the first two decades following the Civil War (1936-39). Book shops and public libraries were scoured for Catalan books which were destroyed and the language was banned from schools, television, the radio and press. After Franco’s death in 1975 the language and culture of Catalonia were revived with a vengeance. A very public symbol of this revival can be seen throughout the region in the famous local Sardana dance, depicted in a famous statue on Barcelona’s Montjuic Hill. The dance, practiced during fiestas in every Catalonian town and village, involves joining hands and dancing in circular movements to the strains of a flute-like instrument. The Sardana symbolises the unity of the Catalans – a people so proud of their special identity that they dared to sing the unofficial anthem of Catalonia in front of Franco when he visited the region’s Palau de la Musica in 1960.
 Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is one of the most famous Spanish coasts, stretching for 160 kilometers between the French border and Barcelona. Of great natural beauty, with steep cliffs and romantic small coves, it is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Mediterranean Sea with several marine protected areas supporting coral reefs and flowering seagrass meadows for divers and snorkelers to enjoy.
Spain's ruggedly beautiful "wild coast" is undoubtedly one of the most scenic coastal strips in the whole of mainland Spain, boasting endless miles of sandy beaches and countless rocky coves backed by pine-clad cliffs. Mercifully the Costa Brava has somehow managed to meet the demands of mass tourism whilst at the same time retaining a special beauty, character and charm which have been delighting visitors for decades.
L'Escala on the south of the impressive, sweeping Bay of Roses is one of the smaller more relaxed holiday destinations in the Costa Brava in Catalonia and is perfect for families and independent holiday makers wanting to avoid the mass-market package holiday resorts. You will soon discover that L'Escala is an excellent base to discover the mostly unspoiled northern Costa Brava, beautiful beaches, art, culture, historic monuments, and well protected nature parks.
L'Escala has carefully conserved the typical natural beauty and the traditional atmosphere of the Costa Brava. But, equally important, L’Escala has kept alive many popular traditions and celebrations. These events were not maintained solely for the tourists, they are customs that are strongly rooted among its inhabitants.
Sardanas are the local dance. It is one of the few national dances that is actually danced by the townspeople themselves rather than by a group. An orchestra known as a "Cobla" accompanies the dancing. The participants stand in circles and by listening to the cues given by the music know what step they should be dancing at any given time. Sardanas look deceptively easy to dance! The dances take place every Wednesday evening at 10pm during the summer at the beach at Riell's and spontaneously groups of people form into circles. Everybody is invited to participate in the dancing.
The Landing of the Three Kings - 5th January The Three Kings arrive by sea are eagerly met by the local children. The Kings disembark onto the main beach and then ride through the town on horseback. That night the children all go to bed hoping that when they wake up in the morning the Three Kings will have left them some gifts, however if the child has not behaved well during the year he may find he has been left a lump of (edible) coal!
Dia de Sant Jordi (Saint George's Day). April 23r: Sant Jordi is the patron saint of Catalonia and the day is celebrated throughout Catalonia. The legend has it that when the famous dragon was slain, a rose grew from its blood. To celebrate the victory over the dragon Catalan men give the woman they love a red rose on Sant Jordi's day. In return women buy their loved ones a book. Over recent years the Catalan custom of buying books on Sant Jordi's day has become fairly international and in many countries of the world April 23rd is known as "International Book Day".
Triumirat Mediterrà is a market that is held in L'Escala in June. What makes it special is the fact that the whole market is "set" in 30 BC. Traders are dressed in Greek or Roman dress, the Tavernae sells drinks that would have been available at that time and all products must be compatible with the era. During the days leading up to the market there are plenty of related activities and many restaurants offer a special Roman meal, serving similar food to that which the Romans at that time would have eaten. On the day of the market activities include several gladiator fights and an auction of slaves.
La nit de San Joan - June 23rd. It is a night when people build bonfires and have firework displays. Families and friends get together for a special meal traditionally accompanied by "cava" (champagne) and "coca", a type of cake.
Festa del Carme July 16th This is the day on which the town pays homage to its senior citizens. There is a boat parade which brings many of the town's "elders" to the beach from where they are accompanied by their grandchildren or other relations to the church for a celebratory mass, followed by more festivities lasting all day.
Gegants Giants and Capgrossos originate from the Corpus Christi processions. Nowadays many Catalan towns have "giants" which are brought out on high days and holidays. There is an annual "giant" meeting in early September every year in which all the local "giants" come to L'Escala for the day and parade around the town. These are L'Escala's "giants", Pere and Maximeta. Here they are standing either side of the church door behind a "carpet" of coloured sand made on the day of the Festa del Carme. The Catalan insignia is represented in a sea full of fish and with small groups of people dancing Sardanas.
The "Festa Major" from the 2 to the 6 of September where the Sardana, the traditional dance of Catalonia, is enjoyed with a special passion. Other interesting festivities, although of a more tourist character are the Festa de la Sal, annually in October where the visitor can see the traditional offices related to fishing industry, - in which also participates the population. Another is the Festa de l'Anxova where everyone will be able to taste the internationally acclaimed anchovies of L’Escala.
 L'Escala is renowned for its anchovies and the ancient ruins of Empúries. The older center of the town still retains the character of a typical Spanish working town with its bustling narrow streets and good selection of shops, bars, cafe's and restaurants. There are two small, popular beaches in the old town that add to the overall charm and atmosphere of the area.
Empúries
In the first half of the 6th century BC Greek traders from Phocaea founded a first settlement (the Palaià Pólis) and years later created the new sector of the city (the Néa Pólis), the remains of which can be seen at the archaeological site.
The colony was called Emporion, which in Greek means market. The city developed thanks to the commercial activity of the Greeks with the indigenous peoples of the Peninsula. In fact, their influence and culture were the features that conditioned the development of the indigenous people, giving rise to the birth of the Iberian culture. The Iberian peoples of the Empordà belonged to the indiketes tribe.
 In 218 BC on the occasion of the Second Punic War, a Roman army under Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio landed at the port of Empúries with the aim of blocking land access to the Carthaginian troops. This started the romanisation of the Iberian Peninsula.
In 195 BC Marcus Porcius Cato established a military camp at Empúries that was the start of the new Roman city. During the reign of Emperor Augustus, the Greek and Roman cities became one under the name of Municipium Emporiae in the last quarter of the 1st century BC.
As Gerunda (Girona), Barcino (Barcelona), Tarraco (Tarragona) and other Roman cities on the Peninsula became increasingly more important, so Emporiae gradually lost its importance. In the second half of the 3rd century AD, the whole of the Roman city and the area of the Neapolis were abandoned, and the people settled in Sant Martí d'Empúries.
After the invasion of the Moors and its recovery by the Franks (8th century) Empúries was the capital of the Carolingian county of Empúries and was later the capital of the mediaeval county of Empúries until the 11th century, when the capital was moved to Castelló. From that time Empúries was inhabited by a small group of fishermen who in the 16th century founded the town of L'Escala.
Opening times: October - May 10 - 18h Mon - Sun, June - Sept 10 - 20h Mon - Sun, Closed 1st January and 25th December
 Els Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park
This is the second largest wetland in Catalonia. It is made up of lakes and flood meadows at the confluence of the rivers Muga and Fluvià. It constitutes an exceptional habitat for fauna, particularly water birds.
Its creation in 1983 was the result of a long and intense campaign started in 1976, to stop a housing project for 60,000 dwellings on the lagoon system located between the estuaries of the Muga and Fluvià rivers.
The Empordà marshes once occupied almost the entire plain of Roses bay and the lower reaches of the Ter river. The Montgrí massif was cut off by the water, and the Greeks founded Empúries on an island between the estuaries of the Fluvià and Ter rivers. That large marshland area gradually disappeared due to the development of agriculture (initially rice fields), the establishment of enclosed meadows for cattle, and the by the building of tourist facilities.
The campaign helped to alert public opinion both in Catalonia and abroad to the value of the area and. was a great success, culminating in the Catalan Parliament unanimously approving a bill declaring the Empordà marshes a site of national interest and establishing a nature reserve on Oct 13th 1983. Until now the Natural Park has only included the marshes of Upper Empordà. However, those of Lower Empordà now enjoy legal protection within the new Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Medes i el baix Ter. These measures have turned the Empordà marshes, located in the heart of the Costa Brava, into an extraordinarily interesting and attractive place for both scientists and nature lovers.
The main attraction of the Parc dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà lies in the large number and variety of birds which live there permanently or temporarily. It is estimated that up to three hundred different species of bird can be found in the Park, one hundred of which nest in the area, most of them annually. Birds are the commonest and most easily seen animal species in the marshes but it should be remembered that a wide variety of other interesting species of vertebrates at invertebrates are also present. So far 329 different species have been observed, 93 of which are resident or breed there.
In fact, Catalonia is one of the most important stopping places for birds on their migratory journeys when they leave northern Europe at the end of the summer in search of warmer climes to spend the winter. The Parc dels Aiguamolls therefore plays a vital role as a refuge and temporary resting place for migratory species. For the one hundred million birds that fly over the Mediterranean coast in the autumn, the reserve is forms and important stopover on their journey to rest and feed.
Parc Natural del Montgr, les Medes i el baix Ter is a new natural park formed to protect the wonderful coastline where we love to dive, from the Medes Islands to north of Cala Montgo, L’Escala, a large inland area from the Montgri Massif westwards and northwards, and the wetlands area of the river Ter.
This is marvelous news for us divers as it means that all our favourite dive sites along the coast will be protected with buoys to avoid anchor damage. This is especially important for the Posidonia seagrass and corals.
Cap de Creus Natural Park
The Cap de Creus Natural Park, with a total area of 13,843 hectares, is Spain's first maritime-terrestrial park. It is located in the Alt Empordà region and includes the municipalities of Cadaqués, El Port de la Selva, La Selva de Mar, Llançà, Vilajuïga, Pau, Palausaverdera and Roses. It was created in 1998 to protect the Cap de Creus peninsula and its marine surroundings.
The Park is divided into two parts: land, with a surface area of 10,780 hectares, and the marine area, of 3,064 hectares. The land area encompasses three Natural Sites of National Interest (NSNI): to the North, the NSNI of Cap Gros-Cap de Creus; to the south, the NSNI of Punta Falconera-Cap Norfeu; and to the West, the NSNI of the Rodes mountain range. The first two, moreover, include two Strict Nature Reserves (SNR): the Cap de Creus SNR, with the islands of S'Encalladora and Massa d'Or, and the Cap Norfeu INR. As for the marine zone, the Natural Park encompasses the area around the Cap de Creus peninsula, from the end of the Bol Nou point to the cove of Tamariua (El Port de la Selva), to Falconera point (Roses), excluding the bay of Cadaqués.
The width of the protected zone varies between 0.2 and 1.3 miles. Within this protected marine zone there are three Partial Nature Reserves (PNR): Els Farallons (between Brescó and the Tres Frares point), Cap de Creus (between the island of Culleró and the Jugadora cove) and Cap Norfeu. Finally, there is also an Integral marine reserve, S'Encalladora (to the north of the island).
The waters surrounding the Cap de Creus peninsula are very clean, with extremely low levels of pollution. The morphology of the coast, with its sea-cliffs, rocks, islets, reefs, coves and bays, and the nature of its rocky bottom (which can reach great depths) and sediments offers diverse habitats for an extremely rich submarine life.
From a biological point of view, Cap de Creus stands out for its rich and varied plant life, a direct result of its bio-geographical situation. This plant life is a coexistence of Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean elements, and is privileged by the presence of numerous rare species, some of which are endemic. This multiplicity of biotopes is also reflected in the area's fauna, and it should be remembered that this natural area still offers a great deal of potential for the recovery of endangered species.
Pals
Pals is a medieval town, first mentioned in written documents in the 9th century, lying a few kilometers from the sea. Its historic centre stands on a hill surrounded by plains, which were originally marshland. Cobbled streets interrupted by Gothic arches, façades with pointed arched windows and stone balconies are among Pals' distinctive features.
 The keep of the castle at Pals is a circular Romanesque tower built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The 15-metre tower stands on a natural rock platform in which many Visigothic tombs can be found. During the 15th century it was used as a bell tower, which is why it is known as the Torre de las Horas (Tower of the Hours). Today the site of the castle is occupied by the house of the Pi i Figueras family who have promoted restoration of the Gothic Quarter of Pals. Despite its modern construction, this house maintains the same architectural features as the rest of the town. The wall surrounding Medieval Pals has four square towers dating from the 12th century, each with their own names: Ramonet, Rom, Xinel·lo and Hospital. Other points of interest are the Josep Pla viewpoint, the Plaza Mayor, the tombs in the Calle Mayor and the church of Sant Pere. The writer from Palafrugell gives his name to one of the natural watchtowers, from where you can make out the fields of Empordà and the Medes Islands. On the edge of Pals town lies the Masos de Pals, formerly a set of Catalan farmhouses which today house a thriving urban center.
Playa de Pals
Playa de Pals beach has more than four kilometers of broad golden sand, washed by a clear blue sea, and fringed by rugged cliffs, fragrant pines. It is not only a beach lover's paradise, but a conservation area too. So there are no noisy water sports to disturb you. Strictly pedalloes, snorkels and scuba gear.
Marshes and dunes on the northern edge, Montgri Mountain in the distance, Basses d'en Coll Nature Park nearby – Playa de Pals is a walker's paradise. If you're after an all over tan, try tiny Illa Roja beach – Pals less inhibited neighbour! Lie on a long sandy beach, snorkel in idyllic, blue-watered coves, play golf and explore charming medieval villages – pine-fringed Playa de Pals has all the leisure opportunities offered by the Costa Brava.
Towards the southern end of Playa de Pals' beach, you'll find relaxed restaurants and bars, so you're never far from an ice-cold 'cerveza' or mouth-watering 'tortilla' and the luscious, smoky aroma of char-grilled fresh sardines beckoning you into a lingering lunch at a nearby beach restaurant. And if you tire of the scenery, romantic cliff top paths lead you to sleepy, close-by coves offering excellent snorkeling.
Girona (Gerona)
The ancient and beautiful city of Girona is located about 60 miles north of Barcelona. A beautiful historic city with the old Jewish Quarter among its major sights, one can not avoid appreciating the magnificence of the houses located at the very edge of the river. They are no doubt one of the most authentic and spectacular sights of Girona. These buildings were attached to the walls which enclosed the ancient quarter and the borough of the Mercadal. The towers protecting both sides of the bridges also succumbed to modern times and were converted into dwellings.
The Arabian Baths are located in a Romanesque building inspired by the Roman thermal or public baths. The most outstanding of the three rooms, each with a different temperature of the water, is the cold water room.
The Archeological Museum which was originally the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants contains an important collection of prehistoric objects together with others from Greek and Roman periods, as well as a unique collection of Hebrew tombstones.
Girona’s Cathedral is the result of various superimposed styles. The interior contains numerous works of art such as the reredos and silver altar canopy, Gothic tombs and baroque altar paintings. The renowned Tapestry of the Creation, the Beatus, and a rich collection of medieval gold and silver works are exhibited in the Capitular Museum.
The Palace of the Agullana Family is one of the most relevant baroque areas of the ancient quarter, the arch is one of the foremost features of the city often depicted in paintings, iconography and photographs, not forgetting the Rambla de la Llibertat; containing characteristic porches and various items of architectural interest in the interior of shops and business premises which are testimony of continuous use of this area throughout the ages.
The people of Girona are demonstrably proud of their archeological treasures and vibrant culture and eagerly share its riches with scholars and tourists alike. Just a short hop inland there's another world of ancient castles and lush green valleys peppered with traditional, unspoilt villages.
Visit one of the many attractions around the province of Girona such as the valley of Sant Daniel; a great natural reserve that has been praised by poets and painted by artists, also in the valley is the Monastery of Sant Daniel, or visit the Convent of Sant Domènec; this single-nave church which was one of the first Gothic buildings constructed in Catalunya.
Barcelona
Catalonia's capital, located at the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is quite simply one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. It is both medieval, with an outstanding Gothic Quarter and thoroughly modern. It is one of the trendiest places on the planet whilst steadfastly clinging to its age-old traditions.
 The credit for much of Barcelona’s extraordinary beauty lies with Antoni Gaudi who must surely rank as one of the greatest architects of all time. His influence can be seen all over the city in works of the most awesome architecture which attract visitors from across the globe.
The Gaudi magic alone would be enough to make Barcelona one of the great cities of Europe. But there’s so much more to this capital of Catalonia which offers everything from fun fairs and famous fountains to priceless Picasso collections and streets streaming with living theatre.
Barcelona is a major cultural center which boasts more than 50 museums devoted to every conceivable subject - from the history of funeral carriages to the works of Pablo Picasso who spent his formative years in the city studying at La Llotja School of Fine Arts. The Picasso Museum’s permanent exhibition consists of more than 3,500 works including lithographs, prints and ceramics.
Picasso never set foot on Spanish soil again after the dictator Franco took power in the aftermath of the bloody Spanish Civil War (1936-39). During Franco’s repressive regime, both the language of Catalonia and its famous dance, the Sardana, were banned. Both were reinstated with a vengeance after the dictator’s death in 1975 and are much in evidence throughout Barcelona and wider Catalonia.
Catalan is the official language of the region and one of the most famous picture postcard images of Barcelona depicts the Sardana dance statue, on Montjuic hill which overlooks the city center. The statue consists of a group of people dancing in a circle with their hands joined. You  can see the real thing on summer evenings in and around the city’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) when locals perform the dance to the strains of a flute like instrument – the circular movements represent unity and brotherhood and anyone is allowed to join in regardless of nationality or expertise.
Montjuic is also home to the city’s much loved “Magic Fountain”, originally created for the 1929 Universal Exhibition and restored to world acclaim during the 1992 Olympic Games. The spectacular displays of water, music and light here on summer evenings have become one of the city’s top tourist attractions. Montjuic can be reached by cable car and funicular railway and there’s also a cable car up to the castle which crowns the hill and gives magnificent views of the city and the Mediterranean.
A stroll along La Rambla, one of the world’s most famous walkways, is an absolute must for first time visitors to Barcelona. It’s actually a network of five streets connecting Placa Catalunya and the Christopher Columbus monument. This largely pedestrianised area (called Les Rambles in Catalan) buzzes with life by day and night – a colourful concoction of street cafes, flower stalls, and live entertainers.
The city’s other countless attractions include the Olympic Village and Olympic Harbour, Barcelona Aquarium and Barcelona Zoo, the Sagrada Familiar, Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral, Parc Guell, another Gaudi masterpiece, and Camp Nou, the legendary home of FC Barcelona.
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