At the beginning of the 19th century, the Catalans were the vanguard of the industrial revolution in Spain. The fall of the dictatorship of General Franco became a special event for Spain, already striving for independence. Since 1979, Catalonia has been officially declared an independent province.
From the one who decides to seek the beauty of the country only on its beaches, the unique mixture of culture and nature that the country can offer will slip away. The northern coast of the Costa Brava has a peculiar beauty. Steep rocky coasts are replaced by secluded bays, which can only be reached by boat, and small settlements - picturesque fishing villages. Unlike the southern coast of the Costa Brava, there are no elongated sandy beaches. You need to take a boat to find a quiet place where you can spend the whole day. If you walk along the waterway, then on the way you will find El Port de la Selva - a picturesque place in the bay of Cap Gross, which is a fishing village. Fresh fish straight from the sea can be enjoyed in the many eateries around the port.
A few years ago in El Port de la Selva, people lived only in fishing. Gradually, the village was discovered by tourists. Its surroundings are covered in mountains. The landscape, with its sparse vegetation, is interspersed with small patches of fertile soil. On this uninhabited land, at an altitude of approximately 700 meters, are the ruins of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rhodes (St. Peter of Rhodes), founded by the Benedictine monks. Within the walls of the castle the wind walks. Its ruins are considered the most significant monument of Roman and Arabian architecture in Catalonia.
Along a narrow mountain road, we set off for the bay, which is located, perhaps the most famous and beautiful fishing village in the Costa Brava - Cadaqués. A surreal place in which, thanks to Salvador Dali, you cannot build tall houses. Cadaqués is very old and visible. There are several hotels and camping sites. The church dedicated to St. Mary offers views of the bay, the city and further to the sea. Even today, the spirit of art reigns in this village. Not only Dali, but also the poet Garcia Lorca, artist Rene Magritte and director Bunuel spent part of their life here. The village is famous for its past. The aura of this place annually attracts individualists. People meeting on Mayor Square relax in a cafe on the beach, have leisurely conversations and enjoy the incomparable atmosphere of a traditional Catalan village. And, despite the fact that at the peak of the season Cadaques is crowded with vacationers, he remained a quiet, almost dreamy village.
People come here not because of the beaches, many of which are rocky. But this does not mean that there is no beach life in Cadaqués. It’s just that it’s calmer here than on the wide sandy beaches in the south of the country. The center of Cadaqués is well-kept neighborhoods with a large number of small cafes and restaurants. People come here in the evenings to eat and drink. Dali is everywhere. A pedestrian road leads to his house in the neighboring bay, in Port Lligat. Since the 30s, here in his quaint residence lived Salvador Dali with his wife Gala. On all the domes of the towers is placed his business card - an egg. Anyone who wants to leave Cadaqués can head back along a mountain road or take one of the boats to a neighboring bay. Every day ships depart from all bays. They transport swimmers from beach to beach.
Figueres is marked by art. Here in 1904, Dali was born. Everywhere artists sit with their easels. Some paint, some suggest a portrait. The vibrant city - the most important industrial and commercial center, attracts with its beautiful old city and intense cultural life. Figueres is worth a visit. It is located one day on foot from the coast. Torre Galatea, named after the artist’s wife, is located next to the Dali Museum - the main attraction of Figueres. In the 80s, Dali built and dedicated this museum to himself.
The Dali Theater Museum is a former city museum. Already at the age of 14, the artist arranged his first exhibition here. Every day, many tourists patiently expect the opportunity to visit the museum. In the domed courtyard of the museum, Gala is the maestro’s muse, in a black uniform and black Cadillac inviting visitors to enter the museum. And we embark on a journey through the grotesque, bizarre, dreamy world of one of the greatest eccentrics of the 20th century. And even someone who is not a fan of Dali will be delighted with this museum. This is a real pleasure for both children and adults.
Along the street leading to the coast, we head to Roses Beach, one of the most popular holiday destinations on the northern Costa Brava. A natural event to be reckoned with is the strongest wind blowing sand along the beach. On such days, all beaches, with a length of 15 kilometers, are deserted.
As an alternative to swimming, you can take a sea tour on ships with glass bottoms. Through the glass, an unusually beautiful view opens into the kingdom of the underwater fauna. Lovers of good weather should not be discouraged for long. The north wind, literally driving sand under the skin, does not blow very often. Bars and restaurants located close to the beach can be comforted by a lost sunny day.
