"Catalunya, between sea and mountains" Top 5 Page for this destination Catalunya by Elisabcn

Catalunya Travel Guide: 14,863 reviews and 27,678 photos

Catalunya, crucible of the Mediterranean Sea. Land that confines with all the world and, at the same time, it is obstinately loyal to itself. Dynamic people with solid roots who don’t forget their traditions and identity but smart enough to receive anything good and beautiful coming from outside; and not only from their neighbors in Levante and Aragón; not only from France that gets narrower to it to the north. Also from far-off countries, from that Greece which in the VI century BC founded the port of Emporio in the Gulf of Roses; and from Italy, which since the XV century intensifies its relationships, already frequent during Roman times.
A people able to receive and to give, grasp the foreign words and ideas, renew them with passion and fantasy to give them back transformed, with new senses and charm, with a new flavor.

Benvinguts a Catalunya . . . Enjoy!

About Catalan and Catalans. . .

mar . . .

Catalan is a neo Latin language (not dialect!) spoken by 10 million people in Catalunya, Balearic Islands, Països Valencians, Alger (Sardinia Island in Italy), France (Ariège and Pyrénées Orientales), Andorra and some areas of Aragón and Murcia.
Catalan is spoken in the UN! Thanks to Andorra (the only state which has Catalan as the official language), Catalan is spoken in places where a special permit is required ;-))

You will hear a lot of things about Catalan people . . . and not all of them are good ;-)))
I like to describe Catalans as a mix of "seny" and "rauxa" (the typically Catalan elements of down-to-earth pragmatism and a certain penchant for outbursts of riotous behavior). I think that they are also curious people and good travelers. Everywhere I travel, even in the most remote places, I always "hear" people speaking Catalan ;-)))
Catalunya is very rich in culture and some Catalans made their little contribution to the universal culture as well. Some names are: Antoni Gaudi', Pau Casals (violoncellist), Joan Miro', Josep Lluis Sert (architect), Ramon Llull (he was too many things!), Salvador Dali', Antoni Tàpies, Narcis Monturiol (inventor of the submarine), Lluis Domènech i Muntaner (architect). . and many more!

Its territory

. . . i muntanya

Catalunya is divided in 4 provinces
-Barcelona
-Tarragona
-Lleida
-Girona

Each province is also divided in several "comarques". In order to help you to situate on the map all the tips of this page, I have written at the end of them the comarca and between parentesis the province.

Unfortunately I have few digital pictures about Catalunya and only from later mini trips. My page will be made of some random pictures that I have found here and there lost in my computer and that I will try to comment to you

Pros and Cons

Pros:diversity, history, traditions and cultural heritage
Cons:I cannot see cons! :-))))
In a nutshell:P2B Catalan

Intro Updated Nov 26, 2010
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Reviews (29)

Santa Pau Things to Do (22)

Another medieval village in the heart of La Garrotxa (picture 1). During the XIIIth century a castle for the barons was... more travel advice

Castellfollit de la Roca Things to Do (22)

On the road Besalú – Santa Pau you will find this beautiful little town on the edge of a black cliff 50m high and 1km... more travel advice

Medieval bridge in Besalú Things to Do (22)

A must for any bridge lover, this medieval bridge is the jewel of the village and also its symbol. Its origin is unknown... more travel advice

The Salt Mines of Cardona Things to Do (22)

Cardona is a smiling village of Catalunya. It has a nice Medieval centre with a Gothic church and narrow streets which... more travel advice

Favorites (1)
Visit the MNAC in Barcelona

Local Customs (6)
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Comments (4)

willy_wonka Oct 27, 2010 at 7:24 PM Report Abuse

oh my elisa, this is a stunning page, and fast become one of my favorites on vt! the catalan culture is very fascinating and all those cute villages - fabulous!
Jefie Apr 3, 2010 at 5:06 AM Report Abuse

What a fascinating page! Thanks for the very informative and personalized tour of Catalunya - with its beautiful mix of history and nature, I can understand why you like it so much!
ranger49 Feb 17, 2010 at 2:57 PM Report Abuse

What a very interesting and enjoyable page. I had a lovely time following your footsteps - will be back to complete the tour. Thank you.
omidamini Sep 27, 2009 at 3:06 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for very nice Elisabcn's Catalunya Page.I hope see you here.