Catalonia

Catalonia is a small country of six million inhabitants but it has more than a thousand years of history and a  culture and language of its own which have forged a very distinct character.

Today Catalonia is an Autonomous Community within Spain an occupies an area of 31,930 square kilometers.

The people of Catalonia have always been open to the outside world. We love to welcome foreigners and show  them our homeland. And we like them to feel at home among us. Perhaps that is why so many visit us. Every  year millions of tourists flock to our seaside resorts without realizing that, a short distance from the sundrenched

Mediterranean beaches, there are places of artistic interest, historic buildings and landscapes which are  equally well worth seeing. 

Landscapes

As you travel around Catalonia, you will discover every kind of European vegetation and landscape. You may, for instance, be fond of high mountain scenery. Then you should take a trip to the Pyrenean valleys, surrounded by high summits with alpine meadows, fir forests and crystal-clear lakes. And if you come in winter, you can take advantage of sports and tourist facilities available in the ski resorts. Two spectacular National Parks are situated amid these lofty peaks: that of Aigüestortes and Lake Sant Maurici, and that of Cadí-Moixeró.

But maybe you prefer more moderate altitudes? Then you could visit the Park of the Muntanya de Montserrat, with its fascinating geological formations and its erratic and improbably shaped rocks, or explore the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Park, near Olot, to see the tree clad hollows of extinct volcanoes and the multicolored clay-pits. Or alternatively you could visit the Montseny range, which has been declared a reserve of the biosphere by UNESCO on account of is rich plant life. In all these areas, forests of beech trees, pines, and deciduous and evergreen oaks alternate with lush farmland where a wide range of crops are grown without upsetting the delicate balance of the environment.

Take a good look at our traditional farmhouses or "masies", each of which was once a thriving community in its own right, and notice how the farmers have adopted modern agricultural methods without losing their sense of tradition. You will see that the Catalan countryside's a perfect blend of nature and human skill.

Catalonia’s more southerly mountains, such as the Garraf range, have a rugged look about them, with bare rocks and gray and reddish soil which create a very striking atmosphere. This is the home of the dwarf fan-palm, the only palm native to Europe. Another range -the Ports of Tortosa, overlooking the Ebro Delta- is an important reserve of the spanish ibex goat.

If you can't resist the call of the sea, Catalonia offers a wide range of coastal scenery. As you travel along to the Costa Brava (the "Rugged Coast") you will be entranced by the rocks reaching out into the sea, the secluded coves and islands where the pine-tree roots struggle for a foothold right down to the water's edge. Further south, on the Costa del Maresme and Costa Daurada, long sun-drenched beaches and white fishermen's cottages welcome you to a typically Mediterranean environment, on the shores of a friendly sea that has been known to man since ancient times. Nor should you miss another type landscape: the vast wetlands of the Ebro delta. Here reedy marshes provide an ideal refuge for migrating birds and the area is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Europe.

On your way from the mountain peaks to the coast, you will travel through the hinterland, with its wealth of wheat fields, its vineyards and its olive groves, alongside newly planted orchards and lush market gardens.

When you stay in Catalonia comes an end, we hope you will have been able to appreciate the full variety of our landscapes. This, perhaps, is the first step in getting to know us.

History

As you travel round Catalonia, it's well worth taking your time. A visit to Empúries, on the Costa Brava, will conjure up the atmosphere of classical Greece. The Greek colonizers, and their Roman successors, left behind a rich collection of sculptures and ceramics here and just a short distance away is the iberian settlement of Ullastret where you can stroll in the shadow of ancient towering walls. If you're staying on the Costa Daurada, make sure you visit the Roman city of Tarraco, present-day Tarragona, with its wealth of Roman remains.

Or maybe you find the medieval period more exciting, with its learned monks, its knights in shining armour, and its merchant adventurers? Then you've come to the right place, because the personality of Catalonia was formed in the Middle Ages. This is why, dotted everywhere across our plains and mountains, you will find ancient buildings dating from the 9th to the 14th century in pre-Romanesque and Gothic style. Among the most remarkable are the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, overlooking the sea on the Costa Brava, and farther inland the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll and the three Cistercian monasteries of Santa Maria de Poblet, Santes Creus and Vallbona de les Monges, all important centres of culture and art in the Middle Ages.

The cities of Girona, Vic, Barcelona, Tarragona, Tortosa and Lleida all have magnificent cathedrals. Girona cathedral is famous for its single nave - the widest Gothic nave in Europe. Other handsome medieval buildings are the current, or former, homes of government institutions. Examples are the Paeria in Lleida and the Palace of the Generalitat in Barcelona, which is the seat of the present-day Catalan government. All these ancient stones will tell you tales of days gone by when Catalan merchants sailed all over the Mediterranean and catalan men-of-arms controlled many places around its shores.

You will also be struck by the beauty and originality of the turn-of-the-century buildings designed in Modernist style, the characteristically Catalan version of Art Nouveau which was all the vogue in Europe. It is particularly intriguing to see how many Modernist-style wine cellars-also known as "wine cathedrals"- were built in the rural areas, and to discover the Modernist-style factories which bear witness to the industrial strength of Catalonia in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Barcelona has more Art Nouveau buildings than any other city in the world. No wonder it was the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí! And today the innovative tradition of Catalan architecture remains very much alive.

Musems

Catalonia, small as it is, has a surprisingly large number of museums - over 300-, some with valuable collections of world-wide interest.

On Barcelona's Montjuïc hill stands the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, partially remodelled in recent years, where you can admire the finest collection of Romanesque paintings in the world. Also on Montjuïc is the Joan Miró Foundation, a highly distinctive building in which the architect Josep Lluís Sert achieved a skilful interplay of light and space, and which houses, some remarkable examples of Miro’s work. The Museum of Modern Art, in the Ciutadella Park, contains a fine collection of 19th and 20th century Catalan paintings and sculptures. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, inaugurated in 1995, occupies a striking building by Richard Meier in the heart of the Raval district. The Picasso Museum, in a handsome, well restored Gothic palace on Carrer Montcada, contains interesting works by the young Picasso, as well as items from other periods donated by the artist himself, who was deeply attached to Catalonia.

The symbolism and religious depth of Romanesque art can also be admired, alongside fine works from the Gothic period, in the diocesan museums of Vic, Girona, La Seu d’Urgell and Solsona.

For sheer originality and extravagance, nothing can beat the museum set up by Salvador Dalí in his native town of Figueres, where you will find numerous clues to the Surrealist masters quest for the unconscious.

In many other Catalan towns you will find small museums containing a surprising range of interesting and original collections. Only a few can be mentioned here: the Wine Museum at Vilafranca del Penedès, the Leather Museum at Igualada, the Paper Museum at Capellades, the Museum of Ceramic Pitchers at Argentona, the Lace Museum at Arenys de Mar, the Vintage Car Museum at Sils, the collections in the three museums at Sitges (the Romantic, Maricel and Cau Ferrat museums), and the world's only museum devoted to automatons on the Tibidabo hill in Barcelona.

The Catalan people are determined to ensure that their museums are fun to visit. Museums with a more modern outlook are the Science Museum and Planetarium in Barcelona and the Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia in Terrassa.

Festivals

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Once a year every town and city in Catalonia celebrates its Grand Festival. The streets fill with merrymakers who are only too glad to let strangers join in the fun. Many places keep up traditional customs of ancient origin. In the region of Tarragona you can wonder at the agility and strength of the castellers as they build their spectacular human towers. If you feel brave enough to be chased through the streets by fire-breathing dragons, giant eagles and demons hurling fire-crackers, then you'll enjoy the Patum which is held in Berga for the feast of Corpus Christi (June). This truly unique festival, which combines pagan and Christian origins, has been handed down from generation to generation. In contrast, the Dance of Death, which is performed in the streets of Verges on Holy Thursday, has purely Christian roots and commemorates the terrible plagues of the Middle Ages.

On the eve of the Feast of Saint John (24 June) great bonfires are lit on the streets and squares of both towns and villages and the summer solstice is celebrated far into the night to the accompaniment of rockets, fire crackers and coca (traditional pastry). At the Grand Festivals and other celebrations you will see giant figures -gegants - parading and dancing, amid their jovial following of capgrossos (dwarfs). Another traditional way of expressing the joy and friendship of popular festivals is by dancing the sardana , the Catalan national dance with is performed to the sound of the cobla , a group of wind instruments accompanied by a double bass. The dancers join hands while carefully treading and retreating the intricate steps. Whenever you see a circle of sardana dancers, don't hesitate to join in: it's an experience never to be forgotten!

From ancient times, markets and fairs have provided those who know how to combine work with pleasure with another good excuse to get together. Weekly markets are still held in many towns, and some even take place daily, such as the fish auctions held on the harbour-side when the fishing boats come in from the sea.

Catalonia, like many other countries, also celebrates the carnival. In Solsona, Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú the festivities are particularly joyous and colourful.

By joining in the fun at one of our festivals, you'll get to know us better. On the outside we may seem a little reserved, but deep down the Catalans are a friendly people who enjoy a little merrymaking and like to make their visitors welcome, as befits a Mediterranean people.  

Theatre and Music

Drama has a tradition in Catalonia which goes back to the Middle Ages. Thanks to distinguished playwrights and actors in the Catalan language, the theatres of Barcelona and other cities have gained a well deserved reputation among demanding but lively audiences.

Catalonia has been at the cutting edge of experimental drama. Among the leading theatrical groups are several which have won international renown: the Teatre Lliure de Barcelona, the Comediants, the Joglars, Dagoll Dagom and the innovative Fura dels Baus. Every summer an open-air festival takes place at the Greek Theatre on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona and the town of Tàrrega hosts a street drama festival.

Barcelona has a long history of opera which the local point is the famous Gran Teatre del Liceu, on the Rambla, built in 1847. Here the finest operas of the international repertoire have been staged, and leading operatic stars have performed, among them several Catalans including Montserrat Caballé, Josep Carreras and Jaume Aragall. The auditorium and stage were destroyed by fire in 1994 and the new theatre, which will be as close a replica as possible to the old one, is now being rebuilt on the same spot.

In the field of symphonic and concert music, Catalonia has been the birthplace of composers and performers of international standing such as Enric Granados and Isaac Albeniz, the avant-garde composer Robert Gerhard, or the great cellist Pau Casals. A number of interesting concert cycles featuring leading musicians and ensembles are held in Barcelona's magnificent Modernist-style concert hall, the Palau de la Música Catalana. Choral singing also enjoys long-standing popularity and numerous choirs are active throughout the country.

In many towns and villages, summer music festivals take place in historic buildings or places of particular artistic interest. The most important include the opera and concert festivals held at Peralada castle, and the festivals of Cadaquès, Torroella de Montgrí, Santes Creus, La Seu d’Urgell and El Vendrell.

And there is just as much activity on the popular music scene. The choice of genres ranges from flamenco -which has a solid tradition in Catalonia and has produced figures of the standing of Carmen Amaya or, more recently, Mayte Martín -, to jazz, which can be enjoyed in numerous clubs and festivals (Tete Montoliu, the internationally famous jazz pianist, was born in catalonia). Salsa is also well represented, and many gifted poet singers perform in Catalan, notably Raimon, J.M. Serrat, and Lluís Llach.

Gastronomy

Catalan cuisine, like so many aspects of our culture, has its roots in popular lore and tradition. Skilful preparation can produce a veritable delicacy out of a few simple ingredients. What could be more mouth-wateringly simple than a slice of crusty bread rubbed with tomato, then seasoned with olive oil and salt, and garnished with salted anchovies or any of a wide choice of locally produced sausages? Other typical Catalan dishes call for a degree of culinary skill and originality worthy of the world's finest cuisine. The following are just a few of those you really should try: chicken with spiny lobster, bass with thyme flowers and baked courgettes, partridge with grapes, rabbit with almonds, fish suquet, and fricandó. Every region of Catalonia, whether inland or on the coast, has its own specialities. Ask what they are ... and then enjoy them!

And to go with a fine meat, what better than a good wine. Catalans wines come in a great variety and their quality is assured by the origin controlled label. You can savour vintages ranging from delicate white and rosés to strong, robust reds. The excellent cava sparkling wines, made according to the traditional méthode champenoise, have become a characteristic feature of Catalan gastronomy and, thanks to their outstanding quality, rank among the country's leading exports. And to round off your meal, we recommend that you try one of Catalonia’s fine liqueurs, many of which are still home made by age-old methods.