Catalonia - Art and Culture 2018

The Pyrenees are a universe in themselves. This trip from the Val d’Aran to the sea will prove it to travellers. ROUTE 1 The Pyrenees, from the peaks to the sea

ROUTE 2 Following the Mediterranean COAST

More than 500 kilometres of Mediterranean coast await to delight visitors.

© francesc tur

© miguel ángel álvarez

The starting point of this route is the Val d’Aran , where 30% of the land is above 2,000 metres and where picture postcard villages with impres- sive slate roofs are nestled in the countryside at the foot of snowcapped mountains. From this point, we have to make our way towards the Vall de Boí , where there is a high concentration of unique and exceptional architectural heritage.

The journey continues through the Pallars Sobirà region, following the wild waters of the Noguera Pallaresa River, famous for its adventure sports. From here the route heads toward Seu d’Urgell , the location of the Santa Maria d’Urgell bishop- ric and Cathedral, the only Romanesque cathe- dral in Catalonia. The next stop is Ripoll, with one of the country’s architectural icons, the Ro- manesque portals of the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll , dating back to the 12th century. La Garrotxa, with access via the Capsacosta tunnels, gives way to the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park , a protected area with more than forty craters surrounded by vegetation. The final destination of this route, which leads us to the sharp coastline of the Costa Brava , is the Empordà , the place that inspired the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí . In the town of Figueres, you can visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, where part of his work is displayed.

The trip starts in southern Catalonia, in Ulldeco- na, a town a few kilometres from the coast with the Abrics de l’Ermita rock art, a set of thirteen paintings which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage. From this point, the route goes on to the Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park , a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The next stop offers visitors a cultural route: the Genius Route (elpaisatgedelsgenis.cat) , a jour- ney that tours the places from which Antoni Gaudí, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso and Pau Casals drew inspiration in producing their own timeless pieces. A little under fifteen minutes away is the former capital of the Roman Empire in Hispania, Tarraco , which today is the city of Tarragona. Worthy of special attention are the amphitheatre, the circus, and the walls along with other ruins that form the ensemble declared UNESCO World Heritage. From here the route goes on to Tamarit , which is crowned by a castle. We con-

tinue to the Garraf hills and Sitges , another em- blematic town, a cradle of Modernisme and of great cultural effervescence. Long beaches stretch northwards to past the Delta del Llobre- gat, the city of Barcelona and the Maresme re- gion with its pretty seaside villages. After Tordera we come to the Costa Brava , where the moun- tains and the sea share the coastline and small coves begin to appear. Palamós, Begur, and Sant Martí d’Empúries are very beautiful en- claves that are worth a visit. The inland Pals and Peratallada are too. The route returns to the coast, leaving the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà on one side, and continuing on to Llançà and Portbou, the last village on the Costa Brava be- fore France.

the village of unha in the val d’aran and a view of the PORTALS of the monastery of ripoll.

tamarit castle on the beach.

© imagen m.a.s.

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Experience Catalonia

Experience Catalonia