Lets Get to Know

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Transcript of Lets Get to Know

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LET’S GET TO KNOW TERRASSA and CATALONIA

This touristic guide is made by the students of 2nd ESO (year 8)

of

El Cim school in Terrassa

With the support of the European Commission for

the Lifelong learning programme Comenius

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Edited by Escola El Cim

First published in Terrassa 2010

Cover photography by Marc Piquer

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SUMARI Escola El Cim

Educational project ........................................................ 9

School Identity Features ................................................ 9

Why Is Our School Considered An Open School? ........ 11

Terrassa ........................................................................ 13

Medieval Route

La Seu d’Ègara ................................................. 15

Castell Cartoixa ............................................... 16

Torre del Palau ................................................. 17

Modernist Route

Mercat de la Independència ........................... 18

Albinyana Pharmacy ....................................... 19

Masia Freixa ................................................... 20

Casa Alegre ...................................................... 21

Festivals in Terrassa .................................................... 23

Sant Llorenç del Munt i Serra de l’Obac ...................... 25

Barcelona

Medieval route

El Barri Gòtic .................................................... 26

Cathedral of Barcelona ................................... 27

Santa Maria del Mar ....................................... 29

Gaudí modernist route

Parc Güell ........................................................ 31

Sagrada Família Church ................................... 32

Casa Milà “La Pedrera” .................................. 33

Casa Batllò ....................................................... 34

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Others

Plaça de Catalunya ........................................... 35

Liceu. Opera House and Theatre ..................... 37

Mercat de la Boqueria ..................................... 38

Columbus Monument ...................................... 39

Catalonia

Costa Brava ................................................................... 41

Santa Clotilde Garden of Lloret ....................... 42

Medes Islands .................................................. 43

Churches of Taüll .......................................................... 45

Lake of Banyoles ........................................................... 46

Garrotxa Volcanic Natural park .................................... 47

Delta de l’Ebre .............................................................. 48

Skiing in Catalonia ......................................................... 49

Matagalls ...................................................................... 50

Pedraforca .................................................................... 51

Montserrat .................................................................... 53

Maps ................................................................ 55

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PRESENTATION

The following travel guide is the result of the work made by the

students of 2nd ESO (year 8) of El Cim School in Terrassa. This activity

is part of The Comenius Project “Let’s get to know each other

through photography”, in which schools from Germany, Greece,

Poland, Portugal and United Kingdom take part.

As photography is one of the means of work in this project, we

would like to highlight that almost all the photographies which

appear in this guide have been taken by the participant students, as

well as all the explanatory texts about the recommended places.

Thanks to the European Commission, which promotes this kind of

associating projects between schools from around Europe, we can

give to all of those boys and girls the opportunity to grow up in

mutual comprehension, educating them in order to foster respect

and an open mind towards Europe and the world in general.

We sincerely believe that this publication will help to promote the

places and landscapes which are part of our cultural legacy, and our

school feels proud of protecting and spreading it. We hope that you

enjoy the views and find our task helpful and useful.

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ESCOLA EL CIM

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ESCOLA EL CIM

EDUCATIONAL PROJECT El Cim School is a private centre. It has nursery, primary and

secondary education.

The school was founded in 1962, but the current building was built in

1993 on the foundations of an old convent. It is a cooperative of

teachers, whose work is carried out in order to help the students at

all times.

The school aims are based on respect, freedom and dedication,

supported by an active methodology of diverse pedagogical

activities.

SCHOOL IDENTITY FEATURES -Pluralism and democratic values.

-Laicity

-Coeducation.

-Interculturality. -Environment conservation.

-Catalan, language and culture.

-Foreign languages.

-Information, communication and collaborative learning,

technologies.

Address: 22 Frederic Soler, 08224 Terrassa, Barcelona www.escolaelcim.cat

PHOTO: Main façade of El Cim school. Sílvia Samaniego

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ESCOLA EL CIM

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WHY IS OUR SCHOOL CONSIDERED AN OPEN

SCHOOL?

Our school keeps the spirit of teaching students to appreciate and

respect diversity in every culture, without exceptions. Therefore, we

make projects to improve our knowledge about the world and the

many different cultures in it.

During their studies, all the students of El Cim School work in mixed

groups. English and French language learning is a priority, in our dual

competence language and multicultural approach.

LEFT PHOTO: Inside the school. Sílvia Samaniego

PHOTO BELOW: 2nd ESO (year 8) ICT students. Sílvia Samaniego

ESCOLA EL CIM

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TERRASSA

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TERRASSA

TERRASSA

In Terrassa there are 210.941 inhabitants and it covers an area of

74.650 square Kilometres. This town is famous because hockey is a

very popular sport there. In the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992,

hockey competitions were held in Terrassa. Terrassa has got a

newspaper, a radio station and a local television.

Terrassa is a university and industrial town. Terrassa is situated 20

minutes far from Barcelona.

Just ten minutes far from the city centre, Sant Llorenç del Munt i

l’Obac Natural Park dominates Terrassa’s landscape. In the heart of

Terrassa we have got a big park (Parc de Vallparadís).

Terrassa is one of the greatest Catalan and Spanish capitals of jazz.

Address: 14, Raval de Montserrat, 08221 Terrassa

www.terrassa.cat

LEFT PHOTO: Main square

of Terrassa, Plaça Vella, in

the city centre. Roger

Llonch.

RIGHT PHOTO: City hall.

Sandra Campos.

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TERRASSA

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LA SEU D’ÈGARA

The three churches were built close to the site of the old village of

Ègara, which was founded about the year 450 and existed until the

8th century. The episcopal group follows the Byzantine model of

antiquity, with two churches (Sant Pere and Santa Maria) and a

mausoleum (Sant Miquel). After a long period of construction, the

churches were finished in the current manner about the 11th and

12th centuries and in Romanesque style, on the site of the pre-

Romanesque buildings of the Visigothic period. The church of Santa

Maria contains outstanding works of art, and there are murals dating

from the Romanesque period to the Gothic. There is also an altar

stone dating from the 10th century and medieval and Romanesque

tombstones. In the transept there are three Gothic altarpieces of

great value.

Address: Plaça del Rector Homs, 08221 Terrassa www.seudegara.cat

LEFT PHOTO: Santa Maria Church. Oriol López.

PHOTO BELOW: Sant Pere, Sant Miquel i Santa Maria. Mireia Sánchez

TERRASSA

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CASTELL CARTOIXA

Castell Cartoixa of Vallparadís (“Carthusian Castle”) is an old building

in Terrassa . The family Berenguer lived there until 1344. Blanca de

Centelles gave the castle to the monks of Escaladei. The castle was

given a new function then, working as a monastery.

In 1413, the community moved to Tiana. Then, it was given to the

Carmelitans de Santa Creus of Barcelona. After that, the castle,

passed to the jurisdiction of the municipality of Terrassa, and was

given a new function, as a house for the Maurí family. Eventually, it

was given to the town council.

Later, there have been renovations, and the castle has become a

museum.

Address: 17, Salmerón, 08222, Terrassa

www2.terrassa.cat/ajuntament/imcet/cultura/museus/

museudeterrassa/castell-cartoixa/exposicio-permanent.html

PHOTO: General view of the castle. Bern Bascó.

TERRASSA

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TERRASSA

TORRE DEL PALAU

The Palace Tower is the only vestige of the castle palace which was

located in the town of Terrassa, Barcelona. It is a cylindrical building

built with river pebbles and cereus stone, of 26.70 metres high and a

diameter of 7.5 m at the base.

It is located between Plaça Vella and Gavatxons street. As it was

hidden from the view, in 1991, the houses around the tower were

demolished and the tower was opened to the public. A square was

built around it. In this same square, on the ground floor of the house

of Antoni J. Torrella i Mauro, there is also the Centre of Medieval

Interpretation of Terrassa.

Address: 9, Gavatxons, 08221 Terrassa www.terrassa.cat

PHOTO: General view of the tower. Jordi Torres

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MERCAT DE LA INDEPENDÈNCIA

There is evidence of an open market in Terrassa in the year 1207, but

it was not until 1896 when the town council decided to build a new

market. The current Mercat de la Independència was designed by

local architects Antoni Pascual i Carretero and Melcior Vinyals i

Muñoz, and it was built in Modernist style. It has a surface of 3175

square metres.

It originally was given the name of Mercat de la LLibertat (“Market of

Freedom”), but it was eventually given the name of Mercat de la

Independència (“Market of Independence”) in order to

commemorate the Independence War of 1808 in Catalonia.

Address: 41,Raval de Montserrat, 08221 Terrassa

www.mercatdelaindependencia.cat

PHOTO: Main facade. Marc Piquer

TERRASSA

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ALBINYANA PHARMACY

Albinyana Pharmacy is located on 48 Raval de Montserrat Street.

This building was designed by the Modernist architect Lluís Muncunill

in 1901, being the former ‘Confitería de la Viuda Carné’. It is

decorated with Modernist paintings by Joaquim Vancells. The facade

is decorated with glazed ceramics. This decoration is repeated in the

interior. The works of some of its murals and wrought iron are also of

great importance.

Address: 48, Raval de

Montserrat , 08221 Terrassa

RIGHT PHOTO:

The Modernist Albinyana

Pharmacy.

Màxim Roenick

TERRASSA

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MASIA FREIXA Masia Freixa is a Modernist building located in Sant Jordi’s Park in

Terrassa. Built in 1896, it originally was a textile factory and it was

restored between 1907 and 1914 by Lluis Muncunill, disciple of

Antoni Gaudí.

The architect turned the building into one of the jewels of

Modernism in Terrassa. The structure has an arched vault and

inspirations of Gaudí, and the walls are painted white, which stand a

modern tower.

TERRASSA

Address: Plaça Freixa i Argemí, Parc de Sant Jordi, 08224 Terrassa

www.ajterrassa.es/terrassaalmon/patrimoni/masia.htm

PHOTO: Masia Freixa. Paula Codina

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TERRASSA

Address: 29, Font Vella, 08221 Terrassa

CASA ALEGRE Casa Alegre is a building located on 29 Font Vella Street, Terrassa.

During the 18th and 19th century, it was the residence of a famous

textile businessman. It was built in Modernist style. At present, it is a

section of Terrassa’s Museum.

PHOTO: Casa Alegre Gardens. Sergi Guix

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TERRASSA

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FESTIVALS IN TERRASSA

1. Jazz festival

2. Diada de bastoners (“Bastoners Day”)

3. Modernist Fair of Terrassa

4. Diada dels Diables (“Devils Day”)

5. Diada de Geganters (“Giants Day”)

6. Welcoming and Kings Parade (5th of January)

7. Local festival of Terrassa (First Sunday after Saint Peter’s

Day, in July)

8. Diada de la colla dels Castellers (“Human Towers Day”)

9. Diada de la colla de Minyons (“Minyons Day”)

10. Saint Llucia’s Fair

LEFT PHOTO: Human tower by Minyons de Terrassa. Xavi Gil.

PHOTO BELOW: Diables performance. Ismael Fernandez.

www.terrassa.org/turisme

TERRASSA

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TERRASSA

Parc de Vallparadís

PHOTO: Roger Llonch

Working Woman monument by Alfaro

PHOTO: Elisabet Morell

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TERRASSA

TERRASSA

SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I LA SERRA DE

L’OBAC The Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac is formed by a

natural park mountains of Sant Llorenç de Munt i Serra de l'Obac.

The park was declared a nature reserve in July 1972.

There are 12 municipalities that are part of the township

It lies between the regions of Bages, Vallès Occidental and Vallès

Oriental

Address: Road of Terrassa to Navarcles, km 14,8, 08230 Matadepera

www.diba.es/parcsn/parcs/index.asp?parc=4

PHOTO: Mireia Sánchez.

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EL BARRI GÒTIC

Barri Gòtic, also known as the Gothic Quarter, is the centre of the

Ciutat Vella (Old City) of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to

Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant

Pere. Many of the buildings located there date from Medieval times,

although we can also find some Roman remains, such as the Roman

Walls around the Cathedral.

The Barri Gòtic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small

streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to

regular traffic.

Inside the Barri Gòtic, we can find important landmarks such as:

• Basilica of La Mercè

• Church of Santa Maria del Pi

• Plaça Sant Jaume, including Casa de la Ciutat (city hall) and

Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya (presidential palace).

• Plaça Reial

• Plaça del Rei

• Remains of the temple of Augustus

www.bcn.cat/turisme/catala/turisme/welcome.htm

BARCELONA

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CATHEDRAL OF BARCELONA

Santa Eulàlia

The Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, best known as the Cathedral of

Barcelona, is the Gothic cathedral seat of the Archbishop of

Barcelona. The cathedral was constructed throughout the 13th to

15th centuries. The cloisters were completed about 1450. The neo-

Gothic façade was constructed in the 19th century.

The cathedral was constructed over the crypt of a former Visigothic

chapel, dedicated to Saint James. It is a hall church, vaulted over five

aisles, the outer two divided into chapels. The transept is truncated.

The aisles are almost as high as the nave.

The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, co-patron saint of

Barcelona. The body of Saint Eulalia is entombed in the cathedral's

crypt.

Address: 4, Av. de la Catedral, 08002 Barcelona www.website.es/catedralbcn

BARCELONA

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BARCELONA

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PHOTO: Main facade. Laia Delgado

SANTA MARIA DEL MAR

The first mention about the church of Santa Maria del Mar dates

from 998. The construction of the present building was promoted

Bernat Llull, who was appointed archdean of Santa Maria in 1324.

Construction works started on 25th March 1329. The chapels and the

facades were finished by 1350. In 1379 there was a fire that

damaged important parts of the works. Finally, on 3 November 1383

the last stone was added.

From the outside, Santa Maria gives an impression of massive

severity that belies the interior.

In contrast with the exterior, the interior gives an impression of light

and spaciousness. It is of the basilica type, with its three aisles

forming a single space with no transepts and no architectural

boundary between nave and presbytery. It has exceptional acoustic

conditions and there are usually music concerts held in it.

Address: 1, Plaça de Santa Maria, 08003 Barcelona.

www.santamariadelmar.cat www.bcn.cat/turisme/catala/turisme/wellcome.htm

BARCELONA

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BARCELONA

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BARCELONA

PARC GÜELL

Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated

on the hill of Gràcia district in Barcelona. It was designed by the

Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built between the years 1900

and 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Eusebi Güell was who gave the park its name because his house was

there. This rich Catalan businessman, member of an influential

middle-class family in the city, was a true patron, because it allowed

Gaudí to carry out many of his works including Park Güell, without

interfering in his artistic decisions.

After the death of Güell, the city bought the remaining land to make

a public park.

Address: Carrer d'Olot, 08024 Barcelona www.bcn.cat/parcsijardins

PHOTO: Columns below the main square. David Corral

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SAGRADA FAMÍLIA

The Sagrada Família is a very interesting monument. It was designed

by Antoni Gaudí, a famous architect. He started its construction in

1883. Unfortunately a streetcar hit him and he died before the

Sagrada Família was finished. Today, the council of Barcelona is

working to finish it, but it is very difficult and it is necessary a lot of

money. People from Barcelona can donate money to help to rebuild

the Sagrada Família.

It is very tall, it has four towers and a lot of columns inside. It is very

big, with a lot of light, because it has a lot of windows.

Address: 450, Mallorca, 08034 Barcelona

www.sagradafamilia.org

PHOTO: Bern Bascó

BARCELONA

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PHOTO: Mireia Morata

Address: 261, Provença , Barcelona

www.bcn.cat/turisme/catala/turisme/welcome.htm

CASA MILÀ, also known as LA PEDRERA

La Pedrera is a very interesting Modernist monument. It was built by

the architect, Antoni Gaudi, 100 years ago. The monument was

considered a good piece art for its modern architecture.

The important monument was built for a rich family, The Milà family,

who used to live there.

In 1984, La Pedrera was considered a Human Heritage site by the

UNESCO.

The building has a very interesting decoration. The decoration of its

chimney consists of an impressive sculpture of a head, and the

balconies have impressive railings and very high columns.

BARCELONA

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CASA BATLLÓ It is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built

in the year 1877 and rebuilt in the years 1904–1906. It is located on

43, Passeig de Gràcia, forming part of the Illa de la Discòrdia in the

Eixample district of Barcelona. It was originally designed for a

middle-class family and situated in a prosperous district of Barcelona.

The building looks very remarkable, identifiable as Modernist. The

ground floor is astonishing, with tracery, irregular oval windows and

flowing sculpted stone works.

Much of the facade is decorated with a mosaic made of broken

ceramic tiles. The roof is arched and it is like the back of a dragon or

a dinosaur.

Address: 43, Passeig de

Gràcia. Barcelona

www.casabatllo.es

PHOTO: Gemma Tirón

BARCELONA

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PHOTO: Laia Delgado

PLAÇA CATALUNYA

Plaça de Catalunya is the most central and largest of the squares of

Barcelona, since Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes and Plaça of Europe

are the largest squares in Spain. It has an area of approximately 5

acres and it is the junction between the old city core and the

Eixample. Important avenues of the city such as the Ramblas, Passeig

de Gràcia, or Ronda Universitat start there, as well as the great

commercial streets of the city and the ancient gates of the old city

walls.

Public transport: L1,L3, RENFE and FFCC

BARCELONA

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BARCELONA

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LICEU

The Gran Teatre del Liceu of Barcelona, known as 'The Lyceum' is the

oldest active and most prestigious theatre of Barcelona, especially as

an opera house, among which it is considered one of the most

important in the world.

Located on La Rambla in Barcelona, it has been the scene, for over

150 years, of the most famous works, performed by the best singers

in the world. For decades, it has been a symbol and a meeting place

of the aristocracy and bourgeoisie in Catalonia.

Address: 51-59 La Rambla, Barcelona www.liceubarcelona.cat

PHOTO LEFT: Bern Bascó

BARCELONA

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Address: 89, Ramblas, 08001 - Barcelona. http://www.boqueria.info/Eng/index.php

PHOTO: Pedro Briones

MERCAT DE LA BOQUERIA

The Boqueria Market, as it is known today, has been through many

phases during its long life. Where this market comes from is

uncertain. What we are sure of, is that it was born as a travelling

market, placed in the Ramblas of Barcelona. La Rambla acquired

importance as a pedestrian lane, and the market was set in the best

place to attract the large numbers of passers-by and local

inhabitants.

BARCELONA

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Address:

Portal de la Pau

Barcelona

COLUMBUS MONUMENT

Columbus Monument is one of the most famous statues in the city of

Barcelona. Built in honour of the explorer Christopher Columbus, it is

erected in the square next to Portal de la Pau junction, between the

south of the Ramblas and Passeig de Colom, opposite the port of

Barcelona.

Inside the column there is a lift which goes up to a semi floor

beneath the feet of the statue, where it is possible to have a nice

view of the city.

PHOTO: Pedro Briones

BARCELONA

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CATALONIA

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COSTA BRAVA

The Costa Brava is the name given to the coastal area of Catalonia

that begins at the mouth of the river La Tordera in Blanes and ends

at the border with France in Portbou.

The coastal strip has an area of 214 km and it is covered by the

Catalan regions of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and La Selva. It is

situated in the province of Girona.

There are a lot of picturesque villages that you can visit on the Costa

Brava: Roses, Cadaqués, L’Escala, Lloret de Mar, Llançà.

http://es.costabrava.org/main/home.aspx

LEFT PHOTO: Elisabet Morell

CATALONIA CATALONIA

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Address: Santa Clotilde, 17310 Lloret de Mar http//www.lloretdemar.org

SANTA CLOTILDE GARDEN OF LLORET

The best time to visit this garden is in spring, but it is an appropriate

visit at any time of the year. It is a fine specimen of the spirit that

animated the Noucentista movement in Catalonia - an early

twentieth-century movement for intellectual and aesthetic renewal

that found the distinguished writer Eugeni d'Ors.

The gardens were designed in the manner of the Italian Renaissance

by Nicolau Rubió i Tuduri. Along the routes in the gardens we can

find ornamental items such as statues and neoclassic mermaids. The

most impressive is the enormous staircase covered by tall trees.

The most impressive is the enormous staircase covered by tall trees.

Water is also an abundant element.

PHOTO: Joel Vidal

CATALONIA CATALONIA

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MEDES ISLANDS

The Medes Islands are an archipelago of 21.5 acres located on the

Costa Brava, just over a mile of the coast of Estartit. This is composed

of seven islets. Shipwrecks were found to show that the islands were

used by man for a long time, often being a pirate base for raids on

the coast. It is considered an area of special biological submarine

interest. In Estartit and Torroella there are regular exhibitions and

lectures about the natural environment.

The biggest island is Meda Gran. So far, 1350 marine plants and

animals including coral, red corvallo, Bede, groper and lobster have

been cataloged in the Medes Islands.

Office of the Medes Islands Protected Area.

Passeig maritim s/n. 17258 L'Estartit

www.baixemporda-costabrava.org/en/recommendations/426

PHOTO: Joan Munill

CATALONIA

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CATALONIA

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CHURCHES OF TAÜLL

St. Clement and Sta. Maria of Taüll churches are Romanesque

buildings in the village of Taüll. The village of Taüll stands in the Boí

Valley, in the Pyrenees.

Both churches of Sant Climent and Santa Maria, are from the 12th

century, and were declared Humanity Heritage from UNESCO in the

2000. Sant Climent is a prototype for basilical plan, with three naves

separated by columns, three apses and a bell-tower.

The Pantocrator of Sant Climent has been the most frequently used

emblematic image to represent Catalan Romanesque art. The

original is kept in the National Museum of Catalan Art but the church

contains a copy, together with other fragments from the original

painting. Three Romanesque carvings complete the furnishings inside

the church.

The church of Santa Maria was consecrated on the 11th of December

1123, one day after Sant Climent. Most of the mural paintings inside

the church were removed and taken to Barcelona between 1919 and

1923. The church was renovated in the 18th century.

Address: 25527 Barruera, Vall de Boí (Lleida)

www.centreromanic.com

PHOTO: Dani Mullor

CATALONIA

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LAKE OF BANYOLES

Lake of Banyoles (or Estany de Banyoles) is a natural lake located in

the comarca "Pla de l'Estany", in northeastern Catalonia, Spain. It is

named after the nearby town of Banyoles. The lake is approximately

2,000 m long and 700 m wide, with an average depth of 15 m, that in

several points gets down to almost 40 m. It is located in a natural

tectonic depression.

This lake became famous as the rowing location for the Barcelona

Olympics 1992 and the World Rowing Championships in 2004. It is

also a popular training location for many foreign rowers, particularly

English rowers.

It is possible to go on a one-hour trip on a boat around the lake.

Address: Plaça dels Estudis, 2 17820 - Banyoles (Girona) www.estanyespainatural.net

PHOTO: Paula Codina

CATALONIA CATALONIA

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GARROTXA VOLCANIC ZONE NATURAL PARK

The Fageda d'en Jordà. The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

(Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa) is a natural park

area covering a Holocene volcanic field (also known as the Olot

volcanic field) in Catalonia, north eastern Spain. The volcanoes, of

which there are about forty within the park, are no longer active,

with the last eruption of the Croscat occurring about 11,000 years

ago. However, the region is still seismically active.

The park covers 12,093.02 hectares, and includes territory from

eleven municipalities in the comarca of Garrotxa. The areas of Olot,

Sant Pau, Sant Joan de les Fonts and Castellfollit de la Roca are

completely surrounded by the park. Some area of the park, including

the best preserved volcanic cones, is fully protected as a natural

reserve.

Address: Casal dels Volcans

- Av. Santa Coloma, s/n -

17800 Olot

www.creaf.uab.es

PHOTO: Nerea Martin

CATALONIA

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DELTA DE L’EBRE

The nature of the Delta de l’Ebre is located at the mouth of the Ebre

River in the province of Tarragona, between the regions of Baix Ebre

and Montsiá, in the southern part of Catalonia. It was declared a

natural park in August 1983 and expanded in 1986. It currently has a

total area of 7736 hectares.

The Delta de l’Ebre is the largest wetland in Catalonia and one of the

largest in Western Europe.

The lands of this Delta have a significant salinity gradient ranging

from the salty soils to fertile lands, suitable for growing crops, and

generating a very interesting variety of vegetation.

The rice fields cover about 20,000 ha. It also maintains an important

fishing activity.

Parc Natural del Delte de l’Ebre

http://ebre.info/delta/cat/index2.htm

PHOTO: Nerea Martín

CATALONIA

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CATALONIA

SKIING IN CATALONIA

At the very beginning of the 20th century skiing started to become a

recreational and sports activity.

There are other places where you can practise skiing in Catalonia:

Baqueira Beret, La Molina, Masella, Port del Comte, la Vall de Núria.

La Molina has been one of the main protagonists over this period of

one hundred years and, as one of the country’s leading ski resorts,

over the last 100 years it has been committed to renovation, to

maintaining its position at the forefront of skiing and to providing

skiers with new and restructured services, as well as giving an added

value to tourism.

At La Molina you can find all the services of a great resort in

unbeatable natural surroundings.

www.baqueira.es www.lamolina.cat

www.masella.com www.portdelcomte.net

PHOTO: Xènia Abad

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MATAGALLS

The Matagalls is a peak of 1698 metres in the Montseny area.

Montseny is a mountain that forms part of the Catalan pre-coastal

mountain range. Montseny roughly occupies a triangle. It contains

the highest mountains in the southern area of the Pyrenees and

dominates the south valley of Girona. It occupies an area of 30.120

ha.

Situated on the edge of the counties of Vallés Oriental, la Selva and

Osona, UNESCO designated Montseny a biosphere reserve in 1978.

The regional government designed it Natural Park in 1987.

The park is home to a wide variety of fauna from the Mediterranean.

There are also a large number of megalithic structures in the park.

www.montsenyrural.net/matagalls.htm

CATALONIA

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CATALONIA

PEDRAFORCA

Pedraforca is one of the most famous mountains of Catalonia, which

has a height of 2.497 meters and is located in Berguedà, specifically

among the municipalities of Saldes and Gósol, within the Natural

Park of Cadi-Moixeró.

It was formed about 25 million years ago by Alpine folding that

originated the Pyrenees. It has very peculiar ridge formed by two

parallel peaks connected by a neck.

The surroundings have been declared of natural national interest.

It is strongly recommended to visit the viewpoint Gresolet.

www.elbergueda.cat/eng/ini.html

PHOTO: Gemma Pérez

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CATALONIA

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MONTSERRAT

Montserrat is a mountain, a sanctuary and a monastery.

The mountain of Montserrat is a massif that towers over the right

bank of the Llobregat River. This massif is one of the highest and

rockiest sections in the Prelitoral Catalan mountain chain. The

Monastery of Montserrat perches 725 metres above sea level, whilst,

at an altitude of 1,236 metres, Sant Jeroni is the highest point in the

massif. Montserrat was declared a nature park in 1987. This measure

was aimed at protecting the massif, whose geological characteristics

make it unique in the world.

The Monastery of Montserrat has a sanctuary on it that houses

the image of Our Lady of Montserrat, popularly known as La

Moreneta, (the Dark One), is a 12th-century Romanesque

polychrome carving. The Montserrat religious community is

formed by around 80 monks who live according to the Rule of

Saint Benedict. The Pastoral Coordination Centre coordinates

religious services and devotes special attention to welcoming

pilgrims and visitors. Montserrat’s Boys’Choir, l’Escolania de

Montserrat, which serves the sanctuary, is one of the oldest in

Europe.

PHOTO ABOVE: Oriol López PHOTO BELOW: Sílvia Quintero

CATALONIA

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MAPS

Catalunya in Europe

Barcelona

Terrassa is in the Vallès

Occidental county

Terrassa Terrassa communications

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The writings and photos of this turistic guide have been made by the

following students: Marc Botifoll, David Brunet, Iryna Burlak, Sandra

Campos, Cristian Ciampone, Paula Codina, Laia Delgado, José Miguel

Doménech, Xavi Gil, Helena Ginesta, David Girbau, Jihan Hedioued,

Oriol López, Nerea Martín, Elisabet Morell, Adrià Nistal, Randy

Ortega, Marc Pastor, Miquel Perelló, Gemma Pérez, Guillem Pérez,

Ariadna Rigol, Enric Rivera, Maxime Roenick, Marc Samper, Oriol

Sánchez, Adrià Sánchez, Mireia Sánchez, Carla Sevillano, Minerva

Tabares, Jordi Torres, Xènia Abad, Berta Aguilar, Pau Aguilera, Kaio

Akkari, Bern Bascó, Pedro Briones, Ivan Callado, Marta Carbonell,

David Corral, Marina Escudé, Ismael Fernández, Ignasi Garcia, Sergi

Guix, Loubna Lalouch, Roger Llonch, Sergio Martínez, Martí Martínez,

Marcel Martínez, Mireia Morata, Dani Mullor, Joan Munill, Xavi

Navajas, Cristina Pérez, Marc Piquer, Arnau Portero, Sílvia Quintero,

Yeray Ruiz, Natalia Salvador, Gemma Tirón, Guillem Travila i Joel

Vidal; and the teachers: Roser Badia, Jordina Parrot, José Alberto

Romero, Sílvia Samaniego and Olympia Villalba.

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