The most beautiful places in Catalonia. Sights of Catalonia: cultural and historical heritage of the Spanish Autonomous Region

Spain is diverse and original country, which many tourists dream of visiting. One of the most visited regions of this European state is Catalonia. This autonomous community located in the northeastern part Iberian Peninsula, has a huge cultural and historical heritage that has evolved over several centuries. To see the best sights of Catalonia, travelers will have to move around different cities. It is most convenient to do this by car, which you can always take upon arrival in Spain.

In addition to transport, on vacation, tourists will need detailed guide across Catalonia. From it you can find out in advance about the most interesting cultural sites and see how they look in the photo. In order not to get lost in Catalan cities, travelers can navigate by tourist map terrain.

Historical reference

The autonomous region of Catalonia, whose capital has been Barcelona for many years, received its separate status in 1979. Since that time, the region has its own government - the Generalitat. Also during this period, the Catalan language was officially recognized, which became one of the main state languages autonomous region on a par with Spanish.

Today, more than seven and a half million people live in Catalonia. This isolated region, which is part of Spain, is divided into four provinces: Barcelona, ​​Tarragona, Girona, Lleida (another name for Lleida). Administrative centers The provinces are the cities of the same name. It is in them that the most significant and interesting sights of Catalonia are located.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain. Tourists who decide to spend their holidays in this vibrant picturesque place will be able to see many unusual architectural objects, many of which were built by Antonio Gaudi, the famous architect, whose name everyone knows. Travelers will be able to look at such creations of the legendary architect as:

• house Calvet;
• house of Figueres;
• Mila's house;
• Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia);
• Park Güell, etc.

In addition to the works of Gaudi, there are other equally interesting sights in Barcelona:

• Gothic Quarter;
• amusement park Tibidabo;
• Plaza Catalunya;
• National Palace;
• Montjuic park;
• Olympic Park;
• Church of Santa Maria del Mar;
• Camp Nou stadium, etc.

Girona

This city is considered one of the most oldest cities Catalonia. It contains various medieval buildings, Gothic temples, fortress walls, etc. The most frequently visited and popular attractions in Girona are the following places:

• Cathedral;
• Benedictine monastery;
• Bishop's Palace;
• tower of Gironella;
• Jewish Quarter (El-Kal);
• monastery of St. Peter Galligans;
• Arab baths;
• church of Sant Feliu, etc.

Tarragona

Tarragona is another tourist attraction in Catalonia. It contains a large spanish port, there are many clean beaches, gardens, parks and vineyards. Travelers who decide to look into this city will be able to visit such attractions as:

• mediterranean balcony ( Observation deck, located on a high cliff);
• ancient Roman amphitheater;
• Archaeological Museum;
• Modern Art Museum;
• Cathedral;
• a house with a false facade;
• Roman aqueduct;
• arena Tarraco Plaza and others.

Lleida (Lleida)

Tourists planning to relax in Catalonia often choose the city of Lleida for their vacation. This spanish resort different in nature. In Lleida, travelers will be able to see waterfalls, lakes, mountains, rocks, cliffs that amaze with their beauty and pristine nature. In addition to natural wealth, Lleida has various cultural and historical sites that have become attractions that all of Spain are proud of:

• hospital of St. Mary;
• Moorish quarter;
• Seu Vella Cathedral;
• Fortress de La Suda;
• Park "Champs Elysees";
• Gardeni Castle;
• water museum;
• gothic patio, etc.

Interesting sights of Catalonia

Each of the Catalan attractions is interesting in its own way. However, there are a few of the most famous places located in this Spanish region:

1. Monastery of Montserrat. This Benedictine monastery is located on high mountain(more than 700 meters above sea level) near Barcelona. The monastery, built in the 11th century, is considered the main shrine of Catalonia. The monastery keeps famous statue Black Madonna. To see it live, thousands of pilgrims from different countries peace.
2. Museum of Pablo Picasso. Those who are not indifferent to Picasso's paintings should definitely visit this Barcelona museum. In it you can see various works of the Spanish artist, most of which belong to the early period of his work. The entrance ticket to this museum costs 14 euros.
3. Barcelona Zoo. Several thousand animals live in this Spanish zoo, among which there are such rare animals as Iberian wolves, snow leopards, etc. A tour of the zoo will interest both adults and children. The cost of a ticket to the zoological park will be 19.6 euros.
4. Port Aventura. This huge amusement and amusement park is located near city ​​of Salou. Tourists of all ages will find attractions to their liking in Port Aventura. The park has a special children's area (Magic Land of Sesame) and several themed areas corresponding to different corners. the globe. For lovers water activities There is a water park on the territory of the park.
5. Gardens of Saint Clotilde. This chic Art Nouveau park is located in the Catalan resort of Lloret de Mar. Tourists who decide to visit the gardens of St. Clotilde will see beautiful sculptural compositions, flower beds, originally trimmed arbors. Travelers will be able to walk along the ennobled alleys, sit in pretty pavilions and cozy terraces.
6. Theater-Museum of Salvador Dali. This museum was founded in the 70s of the XX century. It is located in the Catalan city of Figueres. The exposition is always open for tourists in this museum, which presents more than one and a half thousand works by Salvador Dali, including not only paintings, but also sculptures, as well as various installations.
7. Park Catalunya in miniature. Tourists who dream of seeing as many of the sights of Catalonia as possible, but do not have the opportunity to travel around many Spanish cities on vacation, can go to park complex located 17 kilometers from Barcelona. This park features miniature copies of all the main Catalan sights - cathedrals, monasteries, museums, monuments, bridges, palaces, stadiums, etc. All buildings are exactly like the originals. The miniature buildings are built on a scale of 1:25. In addition to buildings, the landscape is reproduced in the park, lakes, mountains and trees are recreated, corresponding to a particular area of ​​Catalonia. It will take at least a couple of hours to explore the whole of little Catalonia. The easiest way to get around the park is special train consisting of two wagons.

Catalonia (cat. Catalunya, Spanish Cataluña, ox. Catalonha) - historical region and an autonomous community (cat. Comunitat Autònoma) in Spain, in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula between the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees.

The official name is the Autonomous Region of Catalonia (cat. Comunitat Autònoma de Catalunya, Spanish Comunidad Autónoma de Cataluña, ox. Comunitat Autonòma de Catalonha). Area - 32,114 km². The capital of the autonomous community is the city of Barcelona. official languages- Catalan, Spanish, Occitan (in the Val d'Aran). 7,512,381 people live in Catalonia.

The historical region of Catalonia (cat. Principat de Catalunya) consists of the modern Catalan Autonomous Region in Spain and the Eastern Pyrenees department in France. In addition, the Catalans consider the adjacent regions of France, the so-called, part of the historical territory of Catalonia. Northern Catalonia- Catalunya del Nord (Catalan), or Catalogne Nord (French). Radical Catalan politicians promote the use of the term Catalonia in relation to the so-called "Catalan lands", that is, the Mediterranean territories that in the Middle Ages were in the sphere of influence of the Aragonese kingdom, and whose population at least partially speaks the Catalan language.

When to go

In the Pyrenees and the foothills, the climate is typical of the highlands, with heavy snowfalls in winter and relatively cool summers. Along mediterranean coast- Costa Brava, Costa del Maresme, Barcelona, ​​Costa del Garraf and Costa Dorada - mild temperate climate. The farther from the coast, the colder winters and hotter summers.

Features of Catalonia

Talent-rich Catalonia has given the world a lot of famous people, including the great artist Salvador Dali, architect Antonio Gaudi, opera stars of the first magnitude Montserrat Caballe and Jose Carreras.

The memory of the brilliant artist is immortalized in the city of Girona - here is the Dali Theater Museum in Figueres. In addition, the largest museums in Catalonia are National Museum Catalan Art and the Barcelona Museum of Modern Art.

Every town in the province annually celebrates the day of the patron saint of this place - festa major. Holidays are accompanied by folk festivals, entertainment, performances and often last several days.

The national Catalan dance - the so-called sardana (sardana) - is not very complex, similar to a round dance movement.

Main cities and resorts

Capital of Catalonia - Barcelona(Barcelona) - one of most beautiful cities peace. It is not only an important cultural and economic center of Spain, but also one of the leading cities in Europe. many attractions, unique architecture and history make it popular with tourists.

Barcelona was founded in the II century. BC e. the Romans. Her historical Center preserved a marvelous medieval Gothic style. Antonio Gaudí, the famous architect, a native and true patriot of Barcelona, ​​put his soul into creating the famous image of this city, where antiquity coexists with the most beautiful monuments contemporary art.

Tarragona(Tarragona) - the center of the province of the same name in Catalonia. This ancient area, it was here that the capital of the territories conquered by the Romans of present-day Spain was located. In this region, fragments of buildings of the Roman conquerors have been preserved - an amphitheater, a forum, a coliseum, a fortress and an aqueduct. You can visit the museum, which presents the finds of archaeologists at the excavations of the Roman period of Tarragona.

Tarragona is famous and how tourist centre- This main city resort Costa Dorada - golden Mediterranean beaches.

Girona(Girona) - also an ancient city that survived many conquerors of Catalonia. Girona Catalonia. Girona to her - Romans, Visigoths, Arabs. Here you can see the history of Catalonia with your own eyes. Throughout the province of the same name - Girona - monuments of various cultures have been preserved. The city of Girona is the center of the world famous resort Costa Brava.

How to get around Catalonia

In Catalonia itself, there are several trains connecting the three provincial capitals - Lleida, Tarragona and Girona. The Catalan railway company Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) operates at several destinations around Barcelona and on some tourist routes.

The Costa Dorada is easily accessible by trains to Tarragona. The Costa Brava cannot boast of such a rail connection.

Between the cities of Catalonia established and bus service. As a rule, each city has its own service company.

What to see

• Gothic Quarter, MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art, Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona Seu Vella de Lleida Cathedral in Lleida
• Roman Forum and "Mediterranean balcony" (Balcó del Mediterrani) with a panorama of the city and sea ​​coast in Tarragona
• Plaza Catalunya on the bridge over the river Onyar, Arab baths and the gate of San Cristofol in Girona
• Spiritual center and heart of Catalonia - Montserrat Monastery

So-called cultural tourism is developed in Catalonia. In order to attract the masses of tourists and local population to the "high" the Club was created cultural tourism. Under it, a catalog is issued with a list of monuments and festivals that must be visited, and a list of hotels is formed, travel companies and public organizations through which you can get the information or service you need for the traveler.

Leisure

Catalonia is a paradise for the most demanding vacationers, because here, without exaggeration, there is everything. It is in Catalonia that there are magnificent and super popular resorts. Costa Brava, Costa de Maresme, Costa Dorada. Tourism is very developed here - in addition to beautiful beaches, the Catalans offer vacationers a very a large number of hotels, clubs, cafes, restaurants, children's attractions, water parks. Cities in Catalonia have many attractions, very ancient or newly created. And the capital Barcelona is actually a museum under open sky.

Art lovers must visit Dali Theater Museum in Figueres. In the city where the artist was born and raised, a museum has been set up where you can not only see the works of Salvador Dali, but also get into a special surreal world created by a genius. The artist is buried in the same building.

Lovers of amazing flora and fauna can visit the largest in Europe Barcelona Aquarium, where thousands of species of marine life are represented.

Amusement park Port Aventura- built recently, but already managed to gain popularity. In it you can find a huge number of attractions and exact copies of various geographical areas of the world.

Food, drinks, souvenirs

Although Catalan cuisine has its own unique taste and aroma, it is still part of the Mediterranean gastronomic tradition with its three classic ingredients - flour, oil and wine - and influences from the East and the New World.

The selection of products for dishes depends on the landscape: in highlands they use meat (for example, rabbit conill amb allioli), cheese, sausages (botifarra amb mongetes) and vegetables "from the garden" (escalivada), in coastal areas- fish with rice, noodles or potatoes.

In Catalonia, there are several types of local sweets and pastries, mainly from marzipan (panellets, massapà) or cream (crema cremada, menjar blanc).

As an important addition to the main courses and dessert, a glass of Catalan wine is served - red, white, rose table or just dessert (ranci).

Accommodation

A wide selection of hotels in Catalonia, see below.

Barcelona from helicopter

Barcelona is a city of mountains and sea. It's simple amazing city. It is the largest in Catalonia and the second largest in all of Spain. The locals don't want to call themselves Spaniards, they call themselves Catalans. For 25 centuries, this city was called "Cap and Casal de Catalunya", which translates as "The head and foundation of Catalonia".

Legend has it that Barcelona was founded by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian general and father of Hannibal. Barcelona is truly the city of love. The architecture of this ancient city, which was formed under the influence of French Aquitaine, can tell you about this. In terms of love relationships, Barcelona residents are absolutely free, so you can catch them doing this business almost everywhere: in Gothic quarters, in the Ensanches area, in the mountains of Montjuic, in a business cafe or even near the University.

Girona is one of the most ancient cities Catalonia. It is located just 35 km from the Costa Brava. This city has retained its medieval face: majestic walls, Gothic and Romanesque churches, the historical center of the entire Jewish quarter - all these places show visitors a tourist and historical significance. Girona is dynamic and modern city standing on two banks of the river. He managed to maintain his original, pleasant and peaceful appearance.

Learn about all the sights of Girona.

Cadaqués

Cadaqués is the most picturesque city on the Costa Brava. This small settlement is cut off from the noisy world by the Cap de Creus mountain range. In the twentieth century, Cadaqués was fishing village- a favorite place of poets and artists of Spain. In Cadacas, Salvador Dali spent a huge period of his life: he lived there all his childhood, and later he bought a house nearby. On this moment in this house there is a museum of his memory. In addition to him, Marcel Duchamp, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte, Garcia Lorca, Pablo Picasso loved to create here.

Salvador Dali House Museum in Cadaqués

The Salvador Dali House Museum in Cadaqués is entirely dedicated to the artist. The museum was opened in 1996. It is a huge number of fishermen's houses that Salvador Dali built in the form of a labyrinth. Tourists are invited to see the workshop of the famous artist, rooms, a library and a winter garden.

Tossa de Mar

Monastery of Montserrat

The monastery of Montserrat was built back in 1025 by the Rippoli abbot Oliba. Of course, this is not the first temple that appeared there, because the first monasteries were built in the 9th century. It was then that this territory was conquered from the Muslims. Montserrat is big mountain range, which is located in the northern part of Spain, in the center of Catalonia. These mountains are simply unusually beautiful, they have a bizarre shape, in some places they look like sand castles. Another monastery is located directly in the mountains.

Sitges

Sitges - close party and noisy resort town, which can compete even with Ibiza. It is impossible to say unequivocally where there are more nightclubs, round-the-clock restaurants or bars. It should also be noted that this city is the capital of Spanish gay culture, as well as the most popular place holding all the informal carnivals and processions of the country.

Rupit

Rupit is old City unprecedented beauty. It is located in Catalonia, just before the cliff itself. This is very Small town, because not much more than 300 inhabitants live in it, and it was built in a gorge on frozen lava. This lava was formed after a volcanic eruption more than 11 thousand years ago. Tourists occasionally visit Rupit, but experienced tourists will never bypass it. Landscapes in this city are among the most beautiful: Rupit is located on a cliff, where you can see clear blue skies from any direction. In ancient times, this city was called the "city of witches", because it was in this place that the warlocks were brought and executed. People believed that any forces lose their power here.

Besalu

Besalu is a real open-air museum. It is the pearl of the Catalan medieval architecture, as well as the historical capital of the province of La Garrocha. This city began its existence in the form of a fortress, which was built by the ancient Romans. This fortress, as it were, connected the center of the Empire and the conquered lands of the Iberian Peninsula. Historians have not come to a consensus when this town was founded. However, it is known for certain that the “golden period” in its history is the time after the overthrow of Muslim domination.

Lloret de Mar

Salou

Salou - largest resort on the Costa Dorada, which is also its capital. Everything here is made for have a nice rest: mediterranean mild climate, sandy beaches, warm sea, a huge number of parks and interesting places.

The city is filled with various historical places which you simply must visit. At the very beginning of the city there is an information stand, where all famous buildings. On the stand are written unique places cities and terrain plan. I would like to note that the stand is made in 8 languages.

Port Aventura

Tarragona

Tarragona is a town located on the coast mediterranean sea 100 km from Barcelona, ​​which is the capital of the province of the same name. Today, the population of Tarragona is about 110 thousand people. Here is one of the largest commercial ports in Spain. There is also an operating oil refinery.

The city was founded in the III century BC. Then he had more high status than the current capital of Spain.

My reports from Catalonia:

Coast of the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is the most picturesque place in Spain. This north coast Catalonia, which stretches from the French border to the city of Blanes. Costa Brava means "wild coast" in Spanish. Every year this place is visited by thousands of tourists who want to enjoy the incredible beauty of these places.

Barcelona and football

Catalonia is the heart of Spanish football. It was here that the national team of the autonomous community of Catalonia as part of Spain settled. The organizer of this community is the Football Federation. The general population of the Spanish province is eligible to play for this Spanish club. Catalonia joined UEFA, has a membership in FIFA.

How can I save up to 20% on hotels?

Everything is very simple - look not only on booking.com. I prefer the RoomGuru search engine. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and 70 other booking sites.

Catalonia annually attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world. Russian tourists Catalonia is also often chosen as a holiday destination. A huge number of people tend to the gentle Catalan coast for a bronze tan and the sun. The bulk of the offers of Russian travel agencies are precisely the Catalan coasts: and the Costa Dorada.

is the capital of the autonomous community. - Catalan, Spanish, Aranese (in the Val d'Aran). The inhabitants of Catalonia are about 7 million, with more and more immigrants every day, today there are about 7 percent.

Catalonia and its coast

However, it will be difficult even to give an exact definition of what the Costa Dorada and Costa Brava are. seasoned tourists. Russian tour operators consider the Costa Brava to be the entire coast north of Barcelona and up to the border with France. And accordingly, the Costa Dorada is defined by them as a coast located south of Barcelona and to the border with Valencia. Similarly, the Costa Dorada is defined as the entire coast south of Barcelona and up to the border with Valencia. But English-language maps often define the border between the city of Blanes and Dorada, located fifty kilometers north of Barcelona. And confusion sometimes arises. From an official point of view, the border between these coasts of Catalonia runs as follows: from Cape San Sebastian to Cape Cabo de Creus, located on the Spanish-French border (Costa Brava), and the Costa Dorada - from Cape to Cape San Sebastian.

But the local residents of the coast treat this division in a completely different way. To maintain an objective point of view, it is probably better to rely on the Catalan division in order to avoid mistakes when orienting "on the ground" in order to buy or rent a property.

Borders of Catalonia

From the point of view of a resident of Catalonia, the coast consists of four “costas”, that is, “shores”. Catalonia borders on France in the stretch of coast between the cities of Roses and Blanes, this part belongs to the Costa Brava. The Costa Maresme region, according to locals, is located between the cities of Malgrat de Mar and Barcelona. The next section of the coast is called Costa Garraf, it is located between the cities of Barcelona and Vilanova i la Geltru. Costa Dorada is a section between the cities of Vilanova i la Geltru and the autonomous region of Valencia. It is this division of the coast that is accepted in Catalonia itself, it is they who are most convenient to use in various situations.

A bit more official information about Catalonia. This is a region of Spain, located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, in Spain the administrative assignment of this area to an autonomous community (Spanish: Comunidad Autonoma) is accepted.

Catalonia is one of the most developed regions of Spain in terms of economy

If we compare the number of people living in Catalonia and the amount of product produced, it turns out that 16% of the population of Spain, who are residents of Catalonia, produces 23% of the gross product. The main production is located near Barcelona, ​​it is in this area that about half of the population of Catalonia lives and works. Catalonia attracts a lot of funds, thanks to tourism, the annual flow is about 16 million tourists.

Catalonia is an autonomy that has received its Internet domain (.cat, since September 2005), not all autonomies have this advantage.
The region of Spain we call Catalonia is spelled in Spanish - Cataluna, and is pronounced as "Catalunya".
Features of the Russian language make a difference in the spelling of adjectives related to Catalonia. If we are talking about the language, then the adjective must be chosen - "Catalan", and if the geographical area, then "Catalan". At the same time, the average tourist most often uses the word "Catalan" in speech, regardless of the situation. By the way, local residents he will also call “Catalans”, and not “Catalans”, as the dictionary of the Russian language teaches us.

Lleida (LLeida), Girona (Girona), Tarragona (Tarragona) and Barcelona - this is the autonomous community of Catalonia

Barcelona is the brightest and most famous attraction in Catalonia. However, the region is famous not only for this city. Let's get acquainted with the iconic cultural and historical objects of the autonomy.

Montserrat

The Catalans are not as fanatically committed to Catholicism as, for example, the inhabitants of Andalusia. However, Christian traditions are honored here, and one of the most revered religious shrines is mountain monastery Montserrat, located at a distance of 40 kilometers from the Catalan capital. This " spiritual center» autonomy.

Attractions of Catalonia - Montserrat Monastery

The monastery belongs to the Benedictine order. Its oldest building, the basilica, dates back to the 16th century. The most important shrine is the image of the Madonna of La Moreneta. According to legend, the Evangelist Luke himself wrote it, but scientific research shows that the 12th century should be considered the date of creation of the masterpiece.

The Madonna of La Moreneta is the patron saint of Catalonia, every inhabitant of the region reveres her, every true believer dreams of touching her image.

It is for this reason that the folk trail will never grow into Montserrat. However, there is also an amazing monastery choir of boys.

Cities of Catalonia

Girona and Figueres are two amazing Catalan cities: each with its own history, architecture, and character. They can be recommended to visit those who believe that ends with the outskirts of Barcelona.

Girona

Ancient Girona arose on the site of the Roman settlement of Gerunda, designed to defend the Via Augusta, the most important Iberian road connecting Seville with Rome.

Attractions of Catalonia - the city of Girona

Unfortunately, only memories and a narrow street have remained from this road to our times.

The current Girona is a quiet, cozy city, although it is the capital of the province of the same name. The Onyar River divides Girona into two parts. On the left, hilly bank, there is a historical center recommended for visiting, on the right - an ordinary modern Catalan city.

Figueres

Figueros is interesting to others. In this city is the most famous theater-museum of Salvador Dali. Once upon a time, an agreement was reached between the artist and the municipality that the museum would open in the building of the old theater, which happened in 1974. Since then, admirers of genius have literally besieged this attraction.

As for Figueros itself, it is a city of cosmopolitans and gourmets. One of its brightest traditions is the weekly market on main square- held every Thursday since the distant year 1267.

Lleida

According to many, this is the most beautiful province autonomy. By the way, she is also called Lleyda.

Natural objects attract attention here: mountain rivers, lakes with the purest water, waterfalls, orange cliffs, and mysterious cliffs. It is no coincidence that experienced travelers compare Lleida with the Grand Canyon.

The province has a well-developed sports and tourism infrastructure: hotels, campsites, bases with rental equipment for fishing. It hosts water rodeo and freestyle competitions.

The provincial capital is the city of Lleida. The main attraction is the Seu Vella Cathedral. Its walls are executed in the Romanesque style, and the vaults were built according to the Gothic canons. The cathedral stands on a hill, occupying a dominant position in relation to the rest of the city.

Castles of Catalonia

There are also such sights in Catalonia.

Attractions of Catalonia - Perelada Castle

The most popular castles dating back to the 13th-14th centuries:

• Fortarde
• Pubol (was bought by Dali for his Gala)
• Peralada (famous for his music festival and production of local champagne)

Fans of antiquities will also find it useful to look at the ruins of Ampourias, the remains of an ancient ancient settlement. According to scientists, they belong to the VI century BC.

parks

Catalonia is famous for its natural parks. The most famous among them is San Llorenc de Munt, located in Montsen. UNESCO awarded him honorary title biosphere reserve.

Seurat d'Aubac Park is also popular. It is located in a mountainous, rugged area, famous for its steep, precipitous cliffs.

And there are many parks and reserves with typical Mediterranean flora and fauna. They won't take long to find. Most likely, they will be at your side, because Catalonia is a “green” region.