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In the northeast of Spain you will find a fascinating region
where culture plays a privileged role:
Catalonia. Come to this age-old land
and discover its wealth of artistic heritage: from prehistoric rock art and
remains from the Greek and Roman civilisations, to over 2,000 Romanesque
buildings and spectacular Modernist constructions.
Catalonia offers endless possibilities. This Mediterranean region of sea
and mountains has its own particular identity, carved out over many
centuries, where culture shines through. Just visit its four provinces and
you will see for yourself. In Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona you
will find artistic and architectural heritage that is characterised by its
very variety and wealth. Take note of our suggestion, because there are
things in this life not to be missed.
 Barcelona is, among many other things, synonymous with Modernism, thanks,
above all, to the works of Antoni Gaudí. Admire the lofty spires of the
Sagrada Familia Church, a universal symbol of the city; experience the
surprising sense of movement that emanates from the façade of Casa Milà
House and the bone-like structures of Casa Batlló House; enter the
dream-like landscapes of Güell Park, one of the principle exponents of
universal Modernist art, which, like much of Gaudí's work, has the World
Heritage designation. Dynamic and cosmopolitan, Barcelona is an icon of
modernity and design. We suggest you take a stroll along La Rambla avenue;
explore the narrow streets of the Barrio Gótico (Gothic neighbourhood), with
their medieval flavour, home to the Picasso Museum; head up to Montjuïc,
where the spirit of the 1992 Olympic Games, that so transformed Barcelona,
lives on to this day.
Tarragona, the splendour of the Roman Empire
The city of
Tarragona is in the south of Catalonia, on the Mediterranean.
The city itself is an open-air museum whose Roman remains are outstanding.
We are talking about the impressive Tarraco archaeological site, which has
the UNESCO World Heritage Designation. Here you can discover history face to
face as you admire statues and buildings that remind us of the area's great
importance during the Roman period: the city walls, theatre, amphitheatre,
circus, forum, Puente del Diablo aqueduct, the treasures of the National
Archaeological Museum... These are but a few. We would also recommend a
visit to Poblet Monastery, 45 kilometres from Tarragona. It is an impressive
construction in Gothic style (13th-15th centuries), with the World Heritage
designation - one of the finest examples of religious architecture in
Catalonia.
Romanesque art in the Lleida mountains
Romanesque art is probably the most typical in Catalonia. Churches,
monasteries and sober constructions in stone, built between the 10th and
13th centuries, can be found in all corners of the Region. There are many
routes you can follow, although we would recommend the spectacular churches
of the BoíValley, set in the incomparable natural surroundings of the
Lleida
Pyrenees. They are sober buildings that blend into the landscape, with the
UNESCO World Heritage designation. If you want to find out more about this
artistic movement, considered the first great artistic manifestation common
to all of Western Europe, be sure to visit the Catalonia National Art Museum
in Barcelona, and admire its collection of Romanesque and Gothic paintings
and sculptures (one of the world's largest) from up close.
Girona: following in the footsteps of Dalí
If there is one artist who will always be linked with
Girona, it is
Salvador Dalí. In Figueres, birthplace of the artist, you will find the Dalí
Theatre-Museum, an original enclosure of bright colours whose façade is
crowned by sculptures of eggs. The building is the genius' great creation,
and is home to a major collection where you can see the progression of this
great master of Surrealism. Less than 40 kilometres away, on the
Costa
Brava, we pick up Dalí's trail again, this time in the fishing village of
Cadaqués, where the painter created his great masterpieces in what is today
the Dalí House-Museum: a group of small houses and fishermen's cabins where
Mediterranean light is the absolute protagonist. Inland once more, in Púbol,
visit the Gala-Dalí House-Museum, a medieval castle that the artist gave to
Gala, his wife and muse, as a gift. Apart from this journey taking in the
work of Dalí, enjoy a relaxed stroll through the streets of Girona with
their medieval flavour. This is a quiet, attractive city whose old town is
packed with artistic treasures.
It is not only culture you will find in Catalonia, though. From the
Mediterranean to the Pyrenees, this is a huge territory of open spaces and
nature reserves where you can enjoy sea, spa resorts, golf and skiing, water
and adventure sports, and internationally renowned gastronomy, to be
celebrated at the Year of food, cuisine and gastronomy being held until
March 2006 in Barcelona... Because Catalonia is so much more. What are you
waiting for? Come and see for yourself!
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