you are here: lycos home > Travel > Spain

www.spain.info 

Catalonia: endless cultural heritage

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. Whichever your route of choice, we recommend you take your time. Each Heritage City is outstanding for one particular element or characteristic. Nevertheless, they all offer much, much more. Put aside eight days to stroll unhurriedly through their streets and enjoy all they have to offer. If possible, you should also explore them by night, when they are illuminated and the exceptional beauty of their monuments is intensified.

Barcelona, the capital of Modernism
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 style 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 Boí Valley , 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!

Photos Copyright Turespaña