Catalonia - Art and Culture 2018

abyrinthine streets with stone houses to the right and left, a cas- tle that seems taken from a fai- rytale, a 13th century church, ivy a thousand possibilities L Boisterous and modern, tranquil and traditional: There is a side for every visitor, but it’s best to enjoy them all. Touring towns and villages one country,

© ajuntament de tortosa

sustainability, and modern infrastructures, but continue to practice centuries-old tra- ditions in the form of vibrant popular festi- vals. This occurs in Barcelona, but also in cities like Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona , where history and future are felt at the same time. Bustling cities contrast with peaceful villages located a few kilometres away where cava is made and the wine is left to rest, where olives are picked to produce the culinary treasure of oil, and where pot- tery is produced with traditional tech- niques. These are the two sides of Catalo- nia, a diverse place that is constantly surprising its visitors.

Romans, Muslims, Jews... Visiting the cities with most character of Catalonia allows its multicultural history to be reviewed. The inheritance of history

climbing over walls and windows: Yes, the streets of Peratallada (Costa Brava) speak of a medieval Catalonia steeped in tradi- tion. Are we really only a little over 100 kilo- metres from the Torre Glòries , the icon of the busy Barcelona of the 21st century? The essence of Catalonia is found in the little villages that preserve the legacy of thousands of years of rural life as well as the most modern cities. These are cities with an incredibly rich cultural life and pro- vide the same comforts and services that can be found in any great metropolis to- day. These cities are connected to the rest of the world and wager on technology,

The scenery, the architecture, the local cuisine: A route through the cities and villages of Catalonia will show us that there are no boring locations here. However, some places stand above the rest. This is the case of Barcelona . As the capital of Catalonia, it accumulates attractions. Not only is it an open and cosmopolitan city, but it also has a large network of museums and its streets are a catalogue of open-air architecture. Girona too, is a modern city, although behind its colourful

houses overlooking the Onyar River is a history spanning centuries. This history is evident in the buildings of its 12th century Jewish quarter that is the best preserved in Europe. Inland in Lleida , the city’s Arab roots are visi- ble. One of the buildings that defines the city is the castle of La Suda, which was historically the ancient Muslim Larida until the 12th century. The character of Tarragona , on the Costa Daurada, has different origins. Roman Tarraco, which was

tortosa, on the banks of the river ebre.

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Experience Catalonia

Experience Catalonia