Costa Brava: Northern coast of Catalonia. What to see on the Costa Brava

Costa Brava is a Mediterranean coast located in the province of Girona, in the northeastern part of Catalonia. The Costa Brava is officially included in Spain.

It is this corner of Spain and the Mediterranean coast that is one of the most picturesque. Tourists who dream of visiting here get a good opportunity to fully enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing tourism.

Picturesque nature, favorable climate, convenient territorial location attracted the Iberians, ancient Greeks and Romans. It is not surprising that a large number of sights have been preserved here.

Gardens of Saint Clotilde, Lloret de Mar

The gardens represent unique rocks with trees planted on top. Moreover, from this place stunning panoramas of the sea open up.

An example was the Italian Renaissance, on the basis of which it was possible to create unusual gardens. Tourists can appreciate the unique garden architecture with several tiers of terraces, proper organization of free space, and beautiful plants. Travelers will be pleased with the picturesque landscapes, streams and waterfalls, ponds and fountains, grottoes.

It is this attraction that tourists will remember for a long time.

Church of San Roma, Lloret de Mar

The construction of the church was carried out in the distant 1522. Initially, the architectural style was close to the Catalan-Gothic, but subsequently had to be changed.

The church served not only for religious purposes, but also allowed the locals to hide from enemy attacks.

Large-scale reconstruction activities successfully started in 1914. Gothic style retained as a basis, but modernism was added to it. Now in the appearance of the church you can find features of the Renaissance, Byzantine and Muslim cultures.

In 1936, when the Civil War the building was damaged. However, the chapel still pleases many tourists.

Location: Carrer de la Vila (8-10).

Church of Sant Feliu, Girona

This Gothic church is one of the oldest. Despite the considerable age of the attraction, the restoration work that has been carried out has improved the appearance of the church of Sant Feliu.

Now every tourist can appreciate the beauty of the ancient church of Sant Feliu, which fits perfectly into the ensemble of Girona.

Location: Carrer Trasfigueres - 4.

In 1312, the construction of the cathedral started here, and it took several decades to carry out construction activities. During all this time, the intentions of the designers were changeable. It was only in 1417 that it was decided to build a classical one-nave hall-type temple, as it had to become more refined. The cathedral is still distinguished by its monumentality.

Complete construction activities were completed only in 1604. Nowadays Girona Cathedral is one of the most worthy religious sites.

Location: Plaça de la Catedral.

Cat House Museum, Lloret de Mar

Museum "Cat's House" is based on a private collection. However, the exposition is located in six halls. The total number of exhibits is about 6 thousand. All valuable exhibits are collected from around the world. The presented items are united by themes, because all of them are directly related to cats. Visitors can learn about the relationship between humans and cats.

The exposition includes:

• Cat portraits.
• Paintings with cats.
• Thematic painted walls.
• Ceramic products.
• Figurines of cats from porcelain, crystal, stone, wood, silver, bronze.
• Piggy bank cats.
• Toys.
• Small bells.
• Decorations.
• Items used in everyday life.

IN museum exposition items dating from the 18th century to the present day are presented.

Location: Carrer Sant Albert - 10.

The resort of Lloret de Mar is located in a truly beautiful corner Spain. Rocky cliffs descend to the sea bays, protecting them from the wind. There are practically no winds on the beaches, which makes it possible to note a very mild climate.

In some places, pine dews almost approach the water, so the air is filled with coniferous aromas. The beaches of Lloret de Mar are one of the best places for nature lovers to relax.

Theatre-Museum of Salvador Dali, Figueres

Visitors to the Salvador Dali Theater-Museum can not only visit the original museum center, but also plunge into the wonderful world of illusions and hoaxes.

The building is distinguished by an unusual spherical dome, a ceiling with an optical effect. In addition, all the exhibits prove how unusually the world was perceived by Salvador Dali. If desired, visitors can walk along unique museum, opened in honor of Salvador Dali, even without a guide and rely on personal feelings, feelings.

Location: Placa de Gala-Dali - 5.

Gala Dali Castle, Pubol

The medieval castle is an ancient building with a small church, a courtyard, french garden. For a long time, the castle was rebuilt several times.

Subsequently, Gala Dali, whose real name was Elena Ivanovna, acquired a castle for herself. After a while, this particular castle turned out to be a real refuge for Gala Dali.

The castle turned out to be quite original. Tourists can see a large number of sculptures, baroque elements, special symbols, stuffed animals. All this is brightened up by picturesque and rich vegetation. The main task was to create a beautiful and mysterious place which cannot be completely unraveled.

Tossa de Mar is a small town located about 90 km from Barcelona. Resort town attracts tourists from different corners world with picturesque bays and special beaches. Long sandy beaches are best place for a long-awaited relaxing holiday. On local coast bars and restaurants operate. If desired, you can rent umbrellas, boats, water bikes.

The active development of the tourism sector began in the 1950s. During the peak season, you can see a large number of tourists here.

Thousands of exotic plants from different countries of the world and continents grow in an amazing garden. Moreover, the collection is not only large, but also interesting.

The emergence of Piña de Rosa is attributed to 1945. For several decades Botanical Garden turned into an amazing flower complex. Today in the botanical garden there are only unique plants, but at the same time the collections are constantly replenished.

Cadaques is spanish city located in the picturesque bay of Port Lligat. It was here that Salvador Dali, who became famous throughout the world, lived for several years. Andre Derain, Picasso, Matisse and many other celebrities have also visited here.

Cadaqués is an unusual city in Spain where you can feel the relaxing atmosphere and enjoy the unity with nature.

La Garrocha is one of the most picturesque corners Spain and the Iberian Peninsula. It is here that volcanic cones, basalt lava flows are located. The volcanic region belongs to natural park La Garrocha.

The last volcanic eruption occurred thousands of years ago. Despite this fact, the area still remains seismically active.

La Garrocha attracts many tourists who want to enjoy the picturesque nature of the Costa Brava.

Palace of Agullana, Girona

Agullana's Palace is a medieval landmark, the construction of which was carried out in the XIV - XVII centuries. The palace complex is a worthy example of the Baroque style. The old building is located near Jesuit Church Saint Marti Sacosta. This neighborhood contributes to even greater interest from tourists.

The original building of the palace complex was built over the arched span and now adjoins the church, as a result of which the unique attraction attracts many tourists. Numerous legends and mysteries have been preserved about the castle, which are yet to be unraveled.

Towering over the coastal town of Blanes majestic mountain on which the castle of San Juan is located. The history of the construction began in the XII century, when the locals decided to create a fortress. Subsequently, they managed to create a fortress, watchtower. In order to carefully examine the remains of the ancient castle, you will have to overcome a steep climb. However, the successful passage of such a difficult road will allow you to enjoy the unique San Juan Castle and picturesque panoramas of the surrounding area.

L'Estartit is one of the most beautiful resort towns Spain. The city is located 45 km from Girona, 45 km from the French border and 130 km from Barcelona.

L'Estartit is considered a real paradise for lovers of beach leisure, scuba diving and unity with picturesque nature. Local boarding houses and hotels are ready to organize a special atmosphere and provide all conditions for good rest tourists.

L'Estartit attracts clean beaches and rocky bays, cozy restaurants, diving centers. The upcoming pastime will certainly give vivid emotions.

Castle of Sant Joan, Lloret de Mar

The fortress of Sant Joan is a famous medieval landmark. The history of the fortress began in the 11th century. The object was used as a fortification until the 17th-18th centuries. The fortress was subjected to cannon attacks, earthquakes, storms. Despite such trials, high fortress walls and a round watchtower have survived to this day.

On the territory of Sant Joan is interesting museum dedicated to the history of the fortress. Sant Joan is located on top of a cliff, so this place offers an amazing panorama.

Costa Brava is paradise Spain, which will win the love of even experienced tourists.

TOURIST ANSWERS:

So, you have chosen "Wild Rocky Coast" for your vacation or Costa Brava. Frankly, you did not lose for many reasons. First, it is very a nice place Spain, both for its wonderful nature, for its well-maintained and picturesque beaches and fantastic vegetation, and for the creations of human hands. The towns of the Costa Brava, with their architectural monuments and special atmosphere, are like little pearls, as if they were strung on a railway line running from the beautiful Barcelona along the coast ... Secondly, climatically this is the coolest resort area in Spain, so you are not threatened by suffocating heat , a pleasant breeze blows from the sea, and you, inhaling the healing air mediterranean sea, moreover, filled with coniferous aroma from local pine trees, which are found in abundance on the coast, fully enjoy the pleasure of your holiday. Thirdly, Costa Brava hotels, with all their comfort, historically offer a relatively inexpensive vacation, its budget option, which is important for tourists. Fourthly... fourthly, just come here and you will understand everything yourself...

The Costa Brava is located in the northeast of Catalonia and stretches for 162 km from Blanes to the border with France. Geographically, it belongs to the province of Girona, you can get there both through Barcelona (which is the most common), as well as through the airports of Girona and Reus. It takes only 4 hours to fly there, then it takes about an hour or two. So the resort, which was almost the first in Spain to "settle down" with Russian tourists, is located very conveniently, which also belongs to its undoubted advantages...

What are the "iconic" places on the Costa Brava?

To begin with, you must decide for yourself which facets of this wonderful resort you especially like. If you are interested in wild fun, clubs, discos, casinos, nightlife, a lot of entertainment, then you are definitely in the tourist capital of the Costa Brava - Lloret - de Mar. There, not only everything is intended for grotesque endless fun, and crowds of international youth literally flood this "party" place, ending their "parties" no earlier than three or four in the morning, there, for example, there is a very beautiful church of Iglesia-San Roma (16 century), a copy of the Canalet Fountain (the original on La Rambla in Barcelona), and according to legend, whoever drinks water from this fountain will live in Catalonia forever, Castle on the beach ... Antiquity lovers can visit the Verdaguer Museum (about 4 euros) , where they learn that Lloret was founded already 250 years before our era, but ... as a rule, this museum is empty, since a visit to look at ancient Roman exhibits is not included in the usual entertainment program). But the Water Land water amusement park as well as boat trips (15 euros to Blanes, 15 euros to Tossa) are popular in Lloret. Like wonderful sand beach this place, a beach where people are like in the old Soviet films about Sochi, but which at the same time preserves the amazing purity of the sea and has unique sand that doesn't stick to your feet.

Well, if you want to relax in the Costa Brava calmly and fully enjoy the nature and atmosphere of this wonderful place, then you need not to Lloret de Mar, but to Tossa de Mar or Playa de Haro, For example. Tossa de Mar is, perhaps, not even a pearl, it is a diamond of the Costa Brava. Even if you are not staying there, you should definitely go to Tossa. It is as if the magical old fortress of Villa Vella (12th century) is floating above the city, in which you need to climb the guard paths and look from behind the towers at the fantastic view of the bay and the town of Tossa de Mar. And there you also need to swim not on the main beach, which is also wonderful, but you need to plunge into the Mediterranean Sea on El Kolodar beach behind the fortress, where there are few people and nature that will make you gasp with delight. You can romantically call this bathing "Under the canopy of old fortress"... No wonder the actress Eva Gardner (to whom a very charismatic monument was erected in Tossa de Mar) and Marc Chagall (whose work can be seen in the Municipal Museum in the fortress, admission is about 4 euros) left a piece of their soul in this amazing place. ..Leave a piece of your soul there and you...

very interesting and quiet place on the Costa Brava there is also Playa de Aro with its castles Castell d'Aro and Benidormines, a unique Promenade and a medieval market, a kind of costume show taking place in the castle. Feel like a hero of G. Wells and take a time machine to the Middle Ages...thank God, not to the cellars of the Inquisition, but to a noisy, kind and cheerful fairground...

In Blanes, you too can relax and enjoy wonderful beach San Francesc, but the peculiarity and attraction of this place is that there is an island right next to the coast, visiting which you will see an amazing panorama of the town and the bay. And there is also the ancient (13th century) castle of San Juan above the city and a lot of preserved architectural "highlights" - the gates of the Virgin Mary, the palace of the viscounts De - Cabrera, the Gothic well of San Joan and much more ... Well, you can’t help but say about the magnificent botanical garden Marimutra, which has more than 3000 fantastic plants, as well as the water park "Marineland", located nearby (in Santa Susanna).

And you can also stay in a more modern Palamos with its famous fish market - an auction, yes, be sure to look at it!, restaurants and exotic villas in their luxury ...

In general, the Costa Brava provides huge selection regarding budget accommodation for every taste. But ... as they say, a person does not live by the beach alone, and just in the Costa Brava (besides what I have already described) there is something to see ... This is the medieval riddle of Giron, located literally 30 - 50 kilometers away, and slightly more distant (80 - 100 km), one of the most beautiful architectural jewels of Europe, Barcelona, ​​​​and Figueres ... Yes, yes, do not be surprised, I put this small town on the same board in terms of interest in visiting, say, Gerona, because here is the one of a kind Salvador Dali Museum. This "building with buns, together with the exposition that is there, leaves an indelible impression. It is indescribable in words and a must to visit. There are many places on the Costa Brava associated with Dali. In addition to Figueres, this is primarily Cadaqués and many others ...there are even excursions by "Sea Dali" to places that are associated with this eccentric, but from this becoming even more interesting artist ... And from the Costa Brava you can go to France and duty-free Andorra, where the main thing is not even shopping, but unique mountain beauty of this place and a huge and very impressive thermal center overlooking the mountains. I have never met such centers in terms of comfort and unique location (35 euros)...

And there are also wonderful flamenco shows, for example, I really liked the show "La Masia" (with dinner 70 euros), " Knight's castle"(50 euros) and others ... In general, you will definitely not be bored on the Costa Brava. And fantastic nature this place and unique atmosphere its mediterranean towns will make you come here again and again...just like me and my family do...

Helpful answer?

Modernist Cemetery (Lloret de Mar)

The city cemetery of Lloret de Mar (1900) is made in the luxurious Art Nouveau style of Antoni Gaudí's school. In the design of individual graves, neo-Gothic and Baroque features can be traced. This is a museum under open sky with many luxurious crypts erected at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Until the 18th century, Lloret de Mar was a very small fishing village. Only after a while, its inhabitants were gradually able to make capital - many left to work in the Northern and South America. Those who managed to get rich returned to their homeland. Of course, they did not want to live in old houses and built new luxurious villas for themselves. Emigrants invested part of the money in family mausoleums and crypts. The most interesting and beautiful burials belong to their families.

There is no place for despondency, fear of the afterlife: quiet alleys and architectural monuments in modern style. The territory of the cemetery is divided into six sections, in each of which you can spend several minutes looking at ancient moss-covered tombstones, family crypts, modern burials and tablets indicating the author, style and explaining the meaning of each element of the sculpture.

It is interesting that the author of the grave is indicated everywhere, and next to it are explanations of what exactly the stylistic details of this or that burial mean. The inscriptions on the graves are translated into three languages ​​at once: Spanish, Catalan and English. It is worth noting that here you can find the works of famous Spanish architects: Josep Puich and Cadafalch, Bonaventure Conil and Montobbio, Antoni M. Gallissa and Soque, Lewis Llimona, Vicens Artigas and Alberti, Ismael Smith, Eusebi Arnau, as well as students of the great Gaudi. Today, the modernist cemetery of Lloret de Mar is one of the most striking historical examples of the rich Catalan funerary art of the modernist era.

Catalans bury the dead in scripts and crypts, where they bring fresh flowers, memorabilia, children's drawings and figurines of the Virgin Mary. It looks beautiful and sad at the same time.

Costa Brava is a Spanish tourist region in the northeast of Catalonia. It occupies 162 km of the Mediterranean coast from Blanes to the French border. The current well-maintained coast cannot be called a “wild coast”. Much closer to reality is another translation of Costa Brava - "rocky coast".

Beach holidays in Costa Brava

Compared to other Spanish resort regions, the climate of the Costa Brava is cooler. bathing season here it starts at the end of June, but in July-August there is no sweltering heat. Cities are most famous as resorts Lloret de Mar And Tossa de Mar.

The capital of the tourist region of the Costa Brava is the city of Lloret de Mar. Lloret de Mar is the central beach of the resort of the same name. The peculiarity of this busy sandy beach with a length of 1.5 km is a gentle descent into the water, quite rare for the beaches of the Costa Brava. Another city beach - Fenals, despite the Blue Flag, cannot boast of this. But there is much fewer people than on Lloret de Mar.

The largest beach in Blanes is Sa Abanell, 3 km long. For families with children, however, the Blue Flag sandy beach of Cala Sant Francesc is more suitable for the same reason of its gentle slope into the sea. There is another beach in Blanes - Santa Anna with a length of only 75 m. It is always not crowded, but it was chosen by Germans sunbathing topless.

In Tossa de Mar, the beach of the same name with the appropriate infrastructure is considered the main one. There are much fewer people on the beaches of Es Codolar and Mar Menuda, which can be recommended to those who do not like crowds and fuss.

There are many other noteworthy beaches on the Costa Brava, including those located outside settlements which are available to tourists - renters of cars.

Attractions Lloret de Mar

A beach holiday in one of the resorts of this region can be diversified by visiting the numerous historical and cultural attractions located in the region.

castle-fortress Castell de Sant Joan was built in the 11th century. The defensive structure was used for its intended purpose until the 18th century.

Castle of Sant Joan

The fortress stands on top of a cliff, so the ascent on foot is quite tiring. True, those who ascend are rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the city and the sea. However, you can also get there by car or bicycle.

From April to October, the castle is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 05:00 pm. But from November to March there are few tourists, and Sant Joan is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. The ticket costs 3 EUR.

Sculpture Donna Marinera

In 1966, as part of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Lloret de Mar, a two-meter bronze Escultura de Donna Mariner.

Sculpture Donna Mariner (Escultura de Donna Mariner)

Sculpture by Ernesto Maragala depicts a woman accompanying her beloved on a voyage. Donna Marinera fell in love not only with tourists, but also with the inhabitants of the city, and became one of its symbols. The townspeople even assure that if you look in the same direction and touch the foot of the sculpture, then your wish will come true.

Address: Lloret de Mar, Carrer Josep Tarradellas i Joan, 5-7.

Church of San Roma

At the first glance at the built back in the XVI century. a certain dissonance between the elegant mosaic decor of the domes and the harsh wall with loopholes is striking.

Church of San Roma (Esglesia de Sant Roma)

The fact is that, in addition to the main function, the church often served as a refuge for local residents from frequent pirate raids in those days. It could only be entered by drawbridge through a wide and deep moat around the walls. They remained unchanged, and the church itself was rebuilt and reconstructed several times. The church was heavily damaged during the civil war.

Address: Placa de l'Esglesia, 2. You can get to the church by city bus number C-35.

Jardins de Santa Clotilde named after the early deceased young wife of the Marquis Roviralta, the namesake of the saint. The gardens, founded in 1919, occupy 24 thousand m 2 on a cliff in prestigious area the city of Fenals. The architect Nicolau Rubier y Tuduri was guided by examples of Florentine Renaissance parks. Observant tourists visiting Florence guess in the gardens the borrowed elements of the Borghese and Medici villas and the Boboli gardens. Sculptures, fountains, ponds and grottoes are harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape.

Gardens of Santa Clotilde

The park is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 am to 8 pm in high season and until 5 pm in low season. You have to pay 5 EUR for entry.

At the entrance to the city from Blanes, in pine forest, located Gnomo Park.

Gnomes Park (Gnomo Park)

Of course, this park fairy tale characters focused primarily on children. For them there are roundabouts, slides, swings, trampolines, mini-pools, a zoo corner. Familiar home cartoons are shown on a huge screen. Schoolchildren, as well as adults, can take part in overcoming the obstacles located on the trees of the rope trails of another park - Arbre Aventura Park.

Gnome Park from July to September 11 is open daily from 11 am. In June, there is a day off on Mondays, and the rest of the year, the park is open only on weekends. A ticket, depending on the attractions, costs 10.8 or 14.5 EUR. The ticket price for the playground is 8.8 EUR, and for the ropes course - from 6 to 23 EUR.

Along with people, many cats live in Lloret de Mar. They are filled with self-esteem: after all, the city has a museum dedicated to them. Casa de los gatos is located on central embankment, near the Church of San Roma. The museum was opened in 2002 by a Russian immigrant and lover of these independent and cute animals, Vera Novosyolova. On three floors of the mansion, you can see more than six thousand images of cats - ceramic, wooden, porcelain, silver. Paintings on the walls and household items are also profile-oriented.

Cat positions in the city are very strong. Every year in March, the city hosts the festival "Catalonia - the birthplace of the Moon Cat", organized by the city hall and the Museum of Cats. The festive procession is led by the feline royal couple.

Address Casa de los gatos: Carrer Sant Albert, 10. Opening hours - daily from 10 am to 5 pm, ticket price -3 EUR.

Water World - a park of various water entertainments different levels difficulties. Among the extreme ones are the 260-meter X-treme Mountain with steep turns and jumps, the Kamikaze descent and the 80-meter bungee jumping (a stretchable inertial rubber rope for jumping). On the territory of the children's island - small pools with low slides.

From the main resort towns of the Costa Brava, they go to the water park free buses. They depart every half an hour from 9 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 6 pm.

The water park is open in May-October from 10 am to 6 pm (in July - to 7 pm). Entrance ticket price - 33 EUR, for children from 80 to 120 cm tall - 19 EUR, below 80 cm - free of charge. You can also buy a family ticket for 85 EUR, or a combined ticket to Water World and Aquadiver in Playa de Aro - 95 EUR.

Cemetery sculptures

At first glance, the presence of such a specific object in the list of attractions is surprising. But the city cemetery next to the bus station could well be called a museum of modernist architecture. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. the inhabitants of Lloret de Mar who succeeded in America and returned back built not only villas for themselves, but also family crypts and mausoleums. Their orders were carried out by eminent masters, including the followers of Gaudi. Just like in a sculpture museum, the plate indicates the author and features of the work, and in three languages ​​- Catalan, Spanish and English.

Objects related to Salvador Dali

The cultural attractions of the Costa Brava region are mainly associated with the life and work of the famous outrageous surrealist artist Salvador Dali.

The city of Figueres is the birthplace of one of the founders of surrealism, the artist Salvador Dali. In Figueros there is his museum, officially called the theatre-museum. Facade Teatro-Museo Dali looks more than original (to match the work and life of Dali): painted in bright red medieval castle with dozens of huge chicken eggs on the roof. The walls are interspersed with bulges of bread. Extravagant and outrageous Dali fetishized bread and eggs.

Salvador Dali Museum (Teatro-Museo Dalí)

The artist took an active part in the creation of his museum. With the dilapidated building of the old city theater, he had childhood memories of his first exhibited works. However, the Madrid Authority fine arts agreed to finance the creation of the museum only on condition that the original paintings of the artist were transferred to him, which Dali refused for a long time. The artist also invested his own funds in the creation of the museum.

Fans of Dali's work can see more than four thousand works of art created by him in the exhibition. In addition to paintings, these are sculptures, photographs, engravings and even jewelry.

The most famous exhibit is the illusion painting “Naked Gala looking at the sea”. Dali's wife depicted on the canvas from a distance of 20 m turns into a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The photo below shows the famous room of Hollywood actress Mae West with eye paintings, a fireplace nose and sofa lips.

According to his will, Dali is buried in the crypt of the museum.

Address: Gala-Salvador Dalí Square, 5. The start of work, depending on the tourist season, varies from 9 to 10:30, and the end - from 18 to 20 hours. The cost of the entrance ticket is 14 EUR. Visitors are allowed in groups of up to 8 people every 10 minutes.

Dali House Museum

In the 30s of the last century, Dali and Gala (“swallow” - as he called his wife Elena Dyakonova) acquired a fishing house in the Port Lligat Bay near the town of Cadaqués. Over the following decades, they gradually bought up the unsightly neighboring buildings and turned them into a single multi-level surreal maze house. It is easily identified by the huge egg on the roof.

The house-museum is not as outrageous as the theater-museum in Figueros. There are numerous stuffed animals and birds, cages for cicadas in the bedroom, a pool in the shape of a phallus and a sofa in the shape of a woman's lips in the gazebo next to it.

IN summer time, or rather, from June 15 to September 15, the house-museum can be visited at 9:30–21, in other months - at 10:30–18. One month a year, namely from January 11 to February 11, the museum is closed. Similar to the museum-theater in Figueros, visitors enter every 10 minutes in groups of no more than 8 people. The price of the entrance ticket is 11 EUR.

Gala Dali Castle

Castell Gala-Dalí or - the castle of the XI century. in the village of Púbol in the province of Girona. In 1968, Salvador Dali fulfilled the promise given to his wife in his youth to give the castle.

After acquiring a dilapidated castle, it was restored with the preservation, at the request of Dali, of some destroyed fragments. The architectural ensemble of the castle is made up of a manor-palace, a functioning parish church and adjacent outbuildings. The main facade of the castle has retained most of the architectural details in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. These are arches, windows, reliefs, portals.

Gala Dali Castle (Castell de Púbol)

It is interesting that Gala, having thanked for the gift, set a strict condition for her husband to come to the castle only with her written permission. Oddly enough, the masochistic-minded artist happily agreed. In general, the relationship between Dali and Gala was very peculiar ...

In the attic there is a permanent exhibition of hundreds of luxurious Gala outfits, not only from Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior, but also created by Dali himself.

The entire interior of the castle with wall paintings, pseudo-three-dimensional visual tricks, sculptures, antiques was created by Dali. One of the optical illusions depicted a seemingly very long alley with a statue installed at its end. In the Armorial Hall, Dali even provided a throne for Gala with sculptures of lions lying on both sides of it, but it was completed after her death. Sitting on it, Dali received visitors in the last years of his life.

In the last years of her life, Gala spent the summer months in the castle. In 1982 she died here and was buried in the crypt of the church. After that, Dali, who began to develop parkinsonism, lived alone in the castle for two years, but in 1984 he almost died in a fire. From the hospital, he moved to the theater-museum in Figuerosa, where he spent the rest of his days.

Curated by the Gala Salvador Dali Foundation, the castle is open to visitors from March 15 to December 31, daily, except Monday, from 10:30 to 20 hours. Ticket price - 8 EUR. Bus stop Flaca is 2 km from the castle.

Other sights of the Costa Brava

Marineland located near the town of Blanes - the largest in the tourist region of the Costa Brava. In addition to the water park itself, this is a marine zoo and a dolphinarium. The attractions of the water park are very diverse, and are designed for families with children, as well as for fans of extreme sports. For them, there are: sliding on the Boomerang inflatable circle, the Tornado whirlpool, the steep descent of Kamikaze, the descent through the Black Hole tunnel. For lovers of swimming and sunbathing - three pools without slides, and for children and teenagers - moderate slopes and slides.

Aquapark "Marineland" (Marineland)

The dolphin show can be watched at 12:30 and 17:00, and the sea lion show at 12:00 and 16:30. Penguins are fed at 10:45 am and other birds at 5 pm.

The water park is open during the warm season - from mid-May to September, at 10:30-17:30-19 hours. As well as to Water World, free buses run to the Marineland water park from the main resort towns of the Costa Brava. Tickets cost 26 EUR for an adult, 16 for children 5–10 years old, and 8 EUR for children 3–4 years old.

Fortress of Vila Velha

medieval fortress Villa Vella, towering on a cliff above the city of Tossa de Mar, was built in the XII century. to protect the city from pirates. Initially, the fortress had 7 towers. Later, instead of one of the towers, a lighthouse was built, which has survived to this day. It has an observation deck. In the XV-XVI centuries. inside the fortress there were about a hundred residential houses and a church. In some of them people still live, in others there are restaurants.

One of the three surviving towers houses a museum of works by artists who have ever worked in Tossa de Mar. Among them are Marc Chagall ("Heavenly Violinist") and Claude Monet. Even cannons were preserved in the fortress.

Buses run from other resorts on the Costa Brava to Tossa de Mar. The town itself is very small, so finding the castle is easy. It can be visited for free. A fee of 3 EUR is charged for visiting the museum or the lighthouse.

Jardin Botanica Marimutra on a mountain near Blanes was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. German botanist Karl Faust. The name Mar i Murtra - "sea and myrtle" is too modest for the diverse vegetation of the garden, which also grows palm trees, cacti, yucca, hydrangeas, fuchsias, pines, bamboo and jasmine. In total, more than four thousand trees and shrubs are represented. three climatic zones - tropical, Mediterranean and temperate.

Marimurtra Botanical Garden

Address in Blanes: Passeig de Carles Faust, 9. OPEN TOUR buses run from Plaça de Catalunya to the botanical garden, the schedule of which can be viewed on a pole next to the bus stop. Travel time is only 15 minutes. The botanical garden, depending on the time of year, opens at 9–10 am and closes at 5–20 pm. The entrance ticket costs 4 EUR.

Pinya de Rosa- a tropical botanical garden located between the cities of Blanes and Lloret de Mar. In the middle of the XX century. The idea of ​​cactus lover Don Fernando de Carat Riviera was realized by the architect Raymond Durand. More than seven thousand species of tropical flora grow everywhere, and the collections of cacti, agave, scarlet, yucca and prickly pear are among the best in the world. The name of one of the types of prickly pear (a kind of cactus) gave the name to the whole garden. It is often called cactus.

Botanical Garden Pinya Rosa (Pinya de Rosa)

As well as to the garden of Marimurtra, to the cactus garden, located 2 km from Blanes, from Plaça de Catalunya ply tourist buses OPEN TOUR, which will take tourists in the same 15 minutes. The Pinya de Rosa garden can be visited from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You have to pay 4 EUR for the entrance.

Archipelago Illes Medes consists of six outwardly inconspicuous islands a mile off the coast of a small resort town l'Estartit. However, their underwater flora and fauna are so diverse that the islands are declared marine reserve. The underwater world around the islands is very beautiful and is considered a paradise for diving enthusiasts.

Medes Islands

Ordinary tourists can also admire the beauties underwater world from the glass-bottom Nautilus pleasure boats plying to the islands from L'Estartit.

And on the beaches of the islands, they offer a variety of marine entertainment - scooters, the Fly Fish attraction (an inflatable mattress in the shape of a huge fish towed by a boat), surfing, renting a kayak or yacht.

Conclusion

As you can see, the tourist region of the Costa Brava is not deprived of sights. Not included in this review. interesting objects cities, to which a separate article is devoted to the site.

Nature gave these places amazing beauty - Dali himself was inspired by seascapes, and thousands of vacationers call this resort one of the best places in the Mediterranean. On the coast are the three most famous tourist centers- Lloret de Mar, Blanes and Tossa de Mar.

The main occupation on the Costa Brava is a beach holiday. There are always many young people here who prefer active entertainment, but if your heart does not lie with windsurfing and discos, go to the picturesque medieval castles or get acquainted with the work and life of Salvador Dali.

Sightseeing Costa Brava

In terms of cultural and historical coast is of considerable interest. Here, great attention is paid to the legacy of Salvador Dali: there is both an official museum (Figueres, Gala-Salvador Dali Square, 5) and the home of the great surrealist. It is located in Port Lligat, near the town of Cadaques - where the artist was inspired amazing beauty seascapes.

Be sure to go to Besala - a castle town that keeps the spirit of the early Middle Ages. Stone bridge, lowered gates, narrow streets and characteristic architectural style: you will get to know how the life of the townspeople was here 6-7 centuries ago. You can also get acquainted with the troubled past of these places by visiting the castle of Sant Joan, located on high mountain. From the 11th to the 18th centuries, they kept the defense from enemies from the sea, and today there is an amazing view of the sea panorama and the Lloret de Mar resort spread below. Entrance prices - from 3 to 5 euros.

The Clotilde Gardens is another must-see attraction: the picturesque complex is spread out on a mountainside, and its main walking path smoothly descends to the sea. If you have time, go to Cathedral Girona built in 1312. He has a wonderful museum with rare exhibits from the early Middle Ages, for example, the "Creation of the World" tapestry (11th century).

Beach holidays on the Costa Brava in 2019

best time for beach holiday on the Costa Brava - the period from May to October. natural beaches mostly pebbly: all the sand was brought here in the 1960s, when the coastal resorts began to gain popularity.

Entry into the sea in these places is not too smooth. Going on vacation with children, check out our list the best beaches this resort area This will help make your stay comfortable and safe.

The best beaches of the resort

• Lloret de Mar, the beach of the resort town of the same name (1.5 km). It is popular not only because of its cleanliness and location, but also due to its gentle entry into the sea. There are a lot of tourists and expensive rental of umbrellas and sunbeds (in 2019 - 10 euros). But you can lie on towels for free.

• Fenals(Lloret de Mar). awarded blue flag EU, clear, with a sharp drop in depth. There are much fewer people: if you want a more or less calm environment - you are here.
• Sa Abanel(Blanes). Good for everyone, including the length - 3 km. The only drawback: in the summer months, the appearance of jellyfish is possible.

• Almadrava(Roses). One of the best and most picturesque beaches, which borders the Cape Creus National Park. Fine golden sand, natural protection from the winds, several cafes and boat rentals: everything you need for a good beach holiday.
• La Perola(Roses). One of the most calm beaches, ideal for family vacation. There are almost no waves, but there are clean sand and crystal clear water. Awarded with the Blue Flag.

What to see and do on the Costa Brava

Holidays on the Costa Brava are very popular with young people. But also for lovers of more a relaxing holiday there will be something to do here. The main thing is to decide on a suitable resort: the benefit of 200 kilometers of coast can offer a good choice.

Must get to:

• Chocolate factory in Girona. It operates a zoo: good opportunity to please the sweet tooth and see with your own eyes how the bars are made.
• Lake Banyoles. Lakes in Spain are a rarity: Banyoles, for example, is considered the second largest, although it has an area of ​​​​only two kilometers. The forests on the coast are very picturesque, and the nearby La Carpa restaurant will delight you with fresh fish dishes.

• Empuriabrava area. In another way, this resort area is called "Spanish Venice": instead of streets, there are canals, and instead of cars, boats and boats. In general, if you have time - get out, you will not regret it.

Sights of the Costa Brava. The most important and interesting sights of the Costa Brava - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.

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The Costa Brava is popular for three reasons: it is very beautiful, there are many beaches, comfortable hotels and near the side of the clear warm sea. You can safely plan a vacation on the coast because there are many unique and interesting sights on the Costa Brava.

So, you can have a great rest and “have a good time” with the whole family in the largest water park “Marineland”. By the way, this is not just a complex with water attractions and swimming pools. There is also a dolphinarium and a whole zoo.

Spain business card - medieval castles, there are plenty of them on the Costa Brava, but the most-most, perhaps, is the castle of Sant Joan.

Art lovers will be delighted by another attraction of the Costa Brava - the Salvador Dali Museum, which contains a collection of 4,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and even jewelry created by the famous artist.

Of the attractions of the Costa Brava, one cannot fail to note the Cathedral of Girona, which outshines many of the temples of Spain with its grandeur. The cathedral is unique primarily for its architecture, which mixed all known styles, as well as the fact that there is a museum with a rich treasury. The visiting card of Spain is medieval castles, there are plenty of them on the Costa Brava, but the most-most, perhaps, is the castle of Sant Joan. The fortress towering on the mountain has been standing here unshakably for ten centuries now and gives its visitors not only a journey through time and historical events, but also beautiful view to the resort from a bird's eye view.

You can talk about the sights of the Costa Brava endlessly, it is better to come here (and more than once) and see everything for yourself.

• Where to stay: In numerous resort hotels and cozy coastal guesthouses of popular resorts and charming provincial towns of any of the four blessed coasts of Catalonia: on the picturesque Costa Brava, combining beach resorts with areas for active rest, on the "golden coast" of the Costa Dorada with many kilometers of golden sand beaches and excellent hotel complexes, in the resorts of the intimate Costa del Garrafa that inspired many artists and in the economical Costa del Maresme, which is so loved by budget tourists.
• What to see: Impenetrable cliffs and emerald spurs of the Pyrenees, overgrown with pines, pines and firs, picturesque bays and bays with beaches of white sand and pebbles on the Costa Brava. On the Costa Dorada, the first must-visit is Port Aventura, and on the Costa del Garrafe, the entire “excursion” revolves around Dali.