Vilanova I La Geltrú in Its Original Version ENG Vilanova Ilageltrú in Its Originalversion

@habiibii.shoots # @ VilanovaTurisme VilanovaTurisme www.vilanovaturisme.cat

Vilanova i la Geltrú in its original version ENG Vilanova ilaGeltrú In its OriginalVersion

WELCOME

Explore Vilanova i la Geltrú, the marina of Pene- dès. This is a friendly city with welcoming places that will not fail to impress.

Let yourself get swept away on a fascinating journey through the eyes of more than 100 magnifi- cent photos by Instagrammers in which you are the star, while we accompany you to get to know the real Havana Xica [‘Little Havana’].

Get away and enjoy the most traditional festivities, smell the gunpowder of the correfocs (street parade with fireworks), thrill to the Bordegassos human towers, experience the music festivals, watch the boats arrive at the fishing port, savour ranxos mariners, be amazed by the tapas, have fun kayaking in the sea, relax on golden beaches, catch spectacular sunsets and walk the Els Colls i Miralpeix path, full of cliffs and crystal-clear waters. What a way to unwind!

If you are looking for more than tourism, Vilanova i la Geltrú is your destination and this is the original version of our guide. @cucanya 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 Welcome

8 La Geltrú

17 Map of La Geltrú

18 Vilanova Vella (Old Town)

33 Map of Vilanova Vella

34 Vilanova City Centre

55 Map of Vilanova City Centre

56 Baix-a-mar, the fishing village

74 Map of Baix-a-mar*

Histogram*

78 Around Vilanova i la Geltrú

86 Map of the surrounding area

88 Near Vilanova i la Geltrú

90 Map of what’s nearby

92 See you soon *Fold-out

@creativeriskbcn 6 7 LA GELTRÚ

Strolling through La Geltrú is a journey back in time and perhaps in space. You will feel the charm of the picturesque corners, the deserted streets and the cosy squares. La Geltrú still feels like a village, now located in the middle of a city. It is an oasis of tranquillity next to the urban centre of Vilanova. It is an ideal place to rest, get lost and enjoy the terraces and restaurants, some a bit odd or with a strong personality. This journey cannot possibly let you down.

The origin of Vilanova is the village of La Geltrú, documented since the 10th century. Today, it is part of the urban fabric of the city. The toponym of Geltrú, Wisaltrud, is a female name of Germanic origin. A walled village sheltered by a castle, La Geltrú was ruled by a feudal lord and spiritually protected by a church, two buildings that still maintain their cha- risma and architectural value.

The mediaeval structure of the streets in the old town of La Geltrú remains intact, but most of the houses have been rebuilt in the last two or three centuries. Did you know that...? Legend has it that the So get ready to enter a time capsule. Get your ca- first settlers of Vilanova were a young couple who de- mera ready, as La Geltrú is rewardingly photogenic. In cided to live outside the walls of La Geltrú to escape fact, the streets of La Geltrú often appear in films and the droit du seigneur imposed by the feudal lord. Thus, commercials. You can easily conjure a romantic fan- little by little, a new town was formed, with a trickle of settlers who avoided the feudal rulers’ impositions and tasy in the authenticity and solitude of these places, abuse. As a paradox of history, today many weddings line which will accompany you throughout your journey. the picturesque courtyard of the castle of La Geltrú. @jordilleo 8 97 shed buildingsonBarcelona’s Via Laietana. incorporated architectural elements from demoli - 10 Check itout! t ne ofthecastle andtheborder ofthebell poorly: theshot between theexposed sto opportunity thatcannot possiblyturnout Verger delMestre Toldrà provides aphoto has changedsincemediaeval times.The and are considered its core sincenothing Rectoria are theoldest streets inLaGeltrú La Geltrú.Carrer delaTorre andCarrer dela Don’t hesitate to stroll around thecastle of windows from the13thcentury. s mi-circular arches topped withasolemn courtyard,14th-century surrounded by se portal ofPlaçadeFont iGumàandtheold Notable parts ofthecastle includethe Romanesque andGo lly completely renovated in1918andsome in the12thcentury. Thecastle was practica of thetower ontheeast façade remains, built medieval castle. Ofthisperiod,onlythebase more like noblehousethana a15th-century Historical Archive’]. As you cansee,itlooks houses theArxiuHistòric Comarcal [‘County houses surrounding it.Thecastle currently the square infront of the castle andafew contained the castle, the church, a shrine, The earlycore ofLaGeltrúinthe11thcentury of LaGeltrú The castle ower ispicture perfect! tone staircase. Themainfloorhasfour twin

thic elements remain.

The 1918restoration - - - Did you know that...? carpets, where theprocession passes by. with theneighbourhood decorated withflower day, itisasign ofgoodluck.Thedayculminates fountain. Iftheeggisnot broken throughout the ancestral tradition ofplacinganempty eggina Corpus Christi, you canseethedancingegg,an

During

@aleix_pascual part depicts Heaven withtheTrinity andtheAngels. between thehumananddivine,upper of men, the central bodyrepresents theinteraction The lower part ismadeofstone andshows thelife Did you know that...? and tarpiece isthemost important elementofthechurch represents the unification of Heaven and Earth.

The Baroque al-

@manel.taulescalaf @joan_trrnt_sgura for theclockandlightning rod. crowned with a balustrade and a metal structure Take note... because lightninghadse gust. In1826,thechurch hadto berebuilt A gin asits patron saintinthemystery ofthe was laidin1699.Ittook theVir SaintMary grounds of the oldcemetery. Thefirst stone a ne tion of La Geltrú forced the construction of In the17thcentury, thegrowing popula wooden altarpiece from 1643. classicism anditboasts apolychrome of Catalan churches steeped inBaroque glass windows. Its style isadapted to that rose window19th-century withstained façade ispreserved. Atthetop isalate the Romanesquenichepresiding over the mediaevaltury settlement, ofwhichonly tury, butwas builtonaprevious 12th-cen- dates from thebeginningof18thcen- The church ofSanta MariadelaGeltrú Maria delaGeltrú church ofSanta The parish another great photograph. whole architectural ensembleprovides during the 12th and 13th centuries. This oldest inLaGeltrú,whichwas created lar-shaped Plaça de l’Assumpció, the of thechurch, you willfindthetriangu- In front of the door of the main façade ssumption, which iscelebrated on 15 Au w church next to theoldone,on

The church belltower is t theroof on fire. 11

- - - A stroll though La Geltrú Although most of them were farmers, some inhabitants of La Geltrú were fishermen, which you can see in the toponymy of streets such as Carrer dels Arengaders [‘Herring Salters’] and Carrer de Bonaire, in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patron saint of sailors. Other streets were named after the artisans who lived there, such as Carrer de l’Argenteria [‘Silversmi- ths’] and Carrer dels Terrissaires [‘Potters’].

At Carrer del Bonaire 16, there is a voussoir portal with the coat of arms of the bosser, the tax @garridrone collector, which James I the Conqueror granted to the owners when he passed by and they offe- On many corners in La Geltrú and the Old Town red him a bag of gold coins for the reconquest (Vilanova Vella), you can see the rounded stones

of Mallorca in 1229. On the portal of Carrer del that were used to protect the façades. Notice @arccultural Ravalet 1, there is also a sculpted fish that in- that some of the portals in La Geltrú have these dicates the owner’s relationship with the sea- rounded stones to help the carts come in and faring world. out. The curious 14th-century Carrer dels Aren- Plaça dels Lledoners gaders is shaped like a crescent and follows the This square is the perfect place to sit and The houses had to have plenty of space on the trace of the walls that once enclosed La Geltrú. cause it was very close to the gate of the enjoy a snack or refreshment in the shade ground floor to store the tools used in the field, Its name bears testimony to the trade of the fish wall, which was where the street Carrer of the Mediterranean hackberry trees (lle- such as the cart and animals that helped the salters, as well as those who lived off the sea de Mascaró runs today, and continued to doners) that give it its name. Authentic and people in their work. Other street names tell in La Geltrú. the beach and the church of Sant Cristòfol, captivating, this old town square was crea- us about the ancestral trades of the town and which belonged to La Geltrú. Fishermen pre- ted in the 14th and 15th centuries, but it is others evoke key figures or places in its history, ferred to live within the walls of La Geltrú to currently flanked by 18th-century homes. such as Carrer de la Muralla [‘Wall’], which tra- protect themselves from attacks by pirates Did you know that...? In June, the ces the old fortifications, and Carrer del Ravalet, and corsairs who besieged the beaches. At courtyard of the castle of La Geltrú provides an The square is surrounded by hackberry or named for a small suburb outside the city walls. ideal setting for Les Serenates a la Geltrú, a very no. 8, you can see a niche with the image old small-format set of early music performances. nettle trees (Celtis australis), but mostly of Sant Cristòfol (Saint Christopher) and a by chinaberry trees (Melia azedarach), and curious inscription. in the centre there is a cast iron fountain that replaced an old communal well that Take note... If you want to stay up at Check it out! Many filmmakers and supplied the neighbourhood, which is why it Take note... The name Carrer de la Unió night, or have a drink, in Carrer de la Unió and advertisers have fallen in love with La Geltrú, which [‘Union Street’] recalls the Royal Decree of the year Plaça dels Lledoners, you will find plenty of night- has served as the backdrop for films such as Snow was also known as Plaça del Pou, though it 1768, when the city adopted the definitive name of life to enjoy. White and an advertisement featuring Shakira. was also called Plaça de Sant Cristòfol be- Vilanova i la Geltrú. 12 13 14 Take note... find them in thepastry shopsof thecity! Vilanova are ourlunacy-inducing cookie.You will The pped away through theholesinbasket… ket. Hetriedevery month,butitalways sli ted by theseaandwanted to fishitinabas has itthatayoung mansawthemoonreflec aim to achieve goalsdeemedimpossible. have beencalled lunatics , becausethey often region andsincethenthepeopleofVilanova Did you know that...? news spread through the villages of the

The delicious

llunes de Legend - - -

@mariano90_arg The Peixateria Vella organisations. (see p. 47).Today, it is a facility for cultural ket until theMercat delCentre opened It was builtin1858andwas thefishmar- nova and a representation of fishing gear. ensemble withthecoatofarms Vila- Unió is crowned by a terracotta sculptural slopes, andtheonefacing Carrer dela has afaçade ontwo streets ofdifferent the fishmongers’ stalls were located. It still retains acuriousperimeter tierwhere mon inmarkets atthetime.Theinterior tion intheform ofanellipsewas uncom- structural element.Theinternal distribu - Catalonia inwhichcast iron was usedasa Vilanova ilaGeltrúandoneofthefirst in Carrer dela Unió.Itisthefirst buildingin moat of the parish church of La Geltrú, in This oldfishmarket was builtontheold of theoldmediaeval wall. corner ofCarrer deJosepFreixes hidethetowers Check itout! into Carrer delaUnió. that hassincebeencovered andturned course ofTorrent delaPastera, astream protected by the wall that followed the The square was closedontheeast side, fine trees of theexotic Casuarinagenus. built inthecity. Here, you canalsoseetwo 1861, installed when water canals were Pou contains anornamental fountain from Street’] serves asareminder. Plaçadel drawbridge, andCarrer delPont [‘Bridge the fortification ofLaGeltrúby astone At thetime,thissquare connected with tained ajointmarket outside thewalls. In 1374, LaGeltrúandVilanova main- Plaça delPou

The two housesonthe

@aleix_pascual neighbourhood’s identity. rrer del Palmerar that reminds us of the you canseeaceramic plaquenext to Ca- more like astreet thanaproper square, until 1634.InPlaçaLlarga, whichlooks were Vilanova deCubelles andLaGeltrú tested by thewalled enclosures ofwhat Palmerar was a neutral area heavily con- Consisting of four streets and a square, swamp. re whenthis suburbwas surrounded by a native to ElGarraf, whichproliferated the- 1260. Its namecomesfrom thefan palm del Pou. It is documented as far back as ded by Carrer deJosepFreixes andPlaça The neighbourhoodofPalmerar isboun - Palmerar 15

@danillaophoto C. d’Albert C. de les Salvany i Bertran Festa Major Premses C. de les LA GELTRÚRaval de Casernes in La Geltrú la Pastera C. del Llimonet C. de Sta. If you come on 15 August, or at around that C. Major Magdalena time, you’ll be able to enjoy the events of the C. de la Lluna C. de la C. de popular and endearing Festa Major, the great Pastera Josep Calva C. de community festival of the town. Festa Major C. de St. Antoni C. de Josep C. de Josep Calva has such authentic events as playing Catalan Freixes les Sogues 1 C. del skittles, the botifarra card game championship Palmerar C. de la de dalt C. de and the sopar a la fresca, when hosts set up Pastera les Sínies C. de St. Pere 2 C. del C Palmerar . tables in all the squares and streets of La Gel- C. de Sta. de C. del Palmerar B Magdalena ar trú and invite neighbours and friends from all C. de de baix celo St. Gregori 4 C. dels Arengaders over to dine together. n C. de Sta. Gertrudis a C. de la C. de la Mare Peixateria 5 Isabel The Ofici de l’Espígol is celebrated on the day C. de C. de la C. de Sta. Maria Ventosa St. Pau 3 Torre 6 of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Following C. de Montserrat C

@galindo_monica . C. de la Pl. de la d the ancestral tradition, sprigs of lavender Rectoria 7 e Assumpció B C. de C arcelo are distributed and then taken to the parish C. de St. Joan C. de . la Creu Terrissaires d C el Salvador . C ls church, which is completely perfumed. Next is de n . Raldiris de R a Take note... If you want to smell gunpow- a the Cercavila de l’Espígol [‘Lavender Parade’], I vale l der and like to see sparks fly, don’t miss the Cercavila C. de Pàdua ume C. de la Unió Pl. del C ei Ja R t which has its own interludes specific to La Gel- de l’Espígol, the Tronada Infernal [‘Hellish Storm’] and Sagrat Cor C. del a s t Pl. Portal trú, such as the giant feudal figures Ulderich the Tomb de Foc [‘Walk of Fire’], which concentrates a e l naire C. de l . de Bo de Sitges good display of fiery beasts and percussion from Cata- la Roca C and Guisla, the Dragons of La Geltrú, the Moixi- C. de Sta. Madrona 8 C. del lonia. If you’re more of the dancing type, don’t miss the C. de Fanaler ganga and Cotonines dances and other guest C. de Sta. Eulàlia Ball de Festa Major or the Concert Jove. If traditional Pujada l’Argenteria 9 dances from Vilanova, such as the Gitanes and dances are more your cup of tea, make sure you catch del Cinto C. de Pl. Miró de Josep C. del Tigre the Dragon of Vilanova. the havaneres and sardanes. Montgrós Mascaró C. de la C. de la Muralla Fruita eri es C. de Francesc N tg

C. de la Unió Si p C. de la Salut e de Sales Vidal i d C. el

n Rambla

S del Castell

de C. del Correu

C C. del Col·legi

1 Plaça Llarga 4 Plaça del Pou 7 Parish church of Santa

Maria de la Geltrú

2 Pont del Nin 5 Castle of La Geltrú 8 Bosser’s House 3 Plaça de la 6 Verger Eduard Peixateria Toldrà 9 Plaça dels Lledoners @jaumeing 16 17 VILANOVA VELLA (OLD TOWN)

The Old Town, Vilanova Vella, is another gem of the city and still retains the architectural majesty of its heyday. Here the first houses of what was Vilanova de Cubelles were built outside the walls of La Gel- trú, in 1232. King James I granted the Carta Pobla, which gave privileges to those who went on to po- pulate the areas of Vilanova, near La Geltrú and Ça Llacuna, the original core of houses of what today is Baix-a-mar, in 1274. In those early days, Vilanova had five streets and two squares, and it remained that way for many centuries due to the walling of 1370. This mediaeval structure still survives and surprisingly so do the names of its streets.

Three of the original streets of Vilanova Vella run pa- rallel to each other: Carrer Major, Carrer del Mig and Carrer de l’Església. The latter, Carrer de l’Església, was the last street of the original village, enclosed by a wall. The next street is called Carrer Nou [‘New Street’], because it was the first created outside the original wall. Carrer del Mig [‘Middle Street’] maintains the original meaning of its name. It used to include what is known as Carrer de la Lluna today, which was formerly known as Carrer dels Culs [‘Backside Did you know that...? In Carrer de l’Església, Street’], because it was formed by the backsides of don’t miss the façade of Vilanova’s a capella chorus, L’Or- the houses whose entrance was in Carrer Major. Two feó Vilanoví (no. 14), one of the oldest organisations in the cross-cutting streets form this core: Carrer del Cam- city, which dates back to 1907. The building is remarkable panar and Carrer de les Premses. To the south began for the sgraffito on the façade, the decoration of its lar- Camí de Mar, now Carrer del Comerç, which was clo- ge event room and its Modernista (Catalan Art Nouveau) architecture. sed by the Mar portal of the wall around Vilanova. @lourdesmarti 18 19 The parish church Plaça de les Neus Mare de Déu de les Neus on 5 August, of Sant Antoni At the top of Rambla Principal, you will which each year hosts the essential event Abat find the most modern façade of the of Vilanova i la Geltrú’s Festa Major to ask church, completed in 1977, with an image for protection: the Vot del Poble [‘People’s Plaça de Sant Antoni contains the archi- of Mare de Déu de les Neus (Our Lady of Vow’]. It was established in 1784, after the tectural ensemble of the bell tower and the Snows), flanked by Sant Joan Baptis- hailstorm of 5 August of the previous year, the church of Sant Antoni Abat, which ta (Saint John the Baptist) and Sant Joan which devastated vineyards and orchards. make for another great photograph that Evangelista (Saint John the Evangelist). Since then, she has been the patron saint you can take from the corner of Carrer The square is often used for social and of Vilanova i la Geltrú, together with Sant del Fossar Vell. The façade of the church cultural events, such as the festival of Antoni Abat. in this square is the oldest and the main one, from back when only Vilanova de Cubelles existed. The moat was behind it, in what is Plaça de les Neus today. The religious complex where the church now stands dates back to mediaeval times. A document from 1363 mentions a church built over an old Romanesque chapel. Construction of the present church of Sant Antoni began in 1734, though the work was intermittent and was completed almost a century and a half later. The main façade features the niche of Sant Antoni. The church has a basilica floor plan, with three naves and side chapels. It stands 25 metres high, a few centimetres lower than the cathedral of Barcelona. @txatxigomez

Despite being in the Baroque style (1670), bell tower is a structure isolated from the the splendid bell tower is the only survi- church. Inside is a 167-step spiral stairca- ving element of the old Gothic church, se. If you go up, you can see the graffiti left which is unusual in Catalonia because the by a French soldier and a Napoleonic ship.

This square is used for many occasions @manuelsanchezperalta throughout the year, but stands out for Did you know that...? The an- the blessing of the Tres Tombs (see p. 22). gel-shaped weathervane is a replica of the pre- Take note... In honour of Mare de Déu Check it out! From the street where vious one from 1705, which was melted down to de les Neus, white became the official colour of the church stands, you can see that the bell tower make ammunition during the Spanish Civil War. Fixa-t’hi! Underneath the square, there the city’s community festival, Festa Major. If you is crooked. The incline is not dangerous, but it is are still air-raid shelters from the Civil War. attend, you’ll have to come dressed in white! said that upon seeing that it was crooked, the architect leapt to his death. 20 21 22 coachespulled byand luxury horses. of horses, donkey andmule carts, carriages bearer, headstheparade whoon17January the transfer oftheflagto thechosenflag Today, theevents beginaweek earlierwith diversity ofits participants. in Catalonia dueto thequality, quantityand of themost important Tres Tombs festivals ( mes around thechurch, thenintheboulevard branches. Later, they were walked three ti ar mals were blessedandwalked three times In accordance withancestral ritual,theani The Tres Tombs traditional. Winter Festa Majorisaspopularit to protect animals and work inthefields. hold afestival for farmers andcartpullers Cubelles andLaGeltrúcametogether to dition, whentheoldtowns ofVilanova de and arose aspart oftheagricultural tra- toni Abatdates backto the12thcentury of thecity. Thecity’sdevotion to SantAn- Festa Major, inhonourofthepatron saint as itisalsothewinter festival, orWinter January, is acelebrated date inCatalonia, The dayofSaintAnthony theAbbot, 17 Festa Major Winter r ambla) andnow inthecitycentre. Itisone ound agreat bonfire stoked withgreen - -

@carpaiporro_vilanova Take note... Take note... of fire inPlaçadelaVila. Plaça deSantAntoni andendswithajointdisplay dancing devils, dragons andbeasts, itbeginsin withallthefire-throwing17 January: gangsand toni takes placeontheSaturday evening before dance (BalldeBastons). as theribbondance(Ball deCintes) andthebaton and a good sample of children’s interludes, such devils, littledragons, theLittleMule(LaMulassa) turing various dancesofsmallandmedium-size parade, theCercavila Infantil deSantAntoni, fea - ter theTres Tombs, itisniceto seethechildren’s

The Correfoc deSantAn-

On Sundaymorningaf-

@mariarosafg T certs andtheexhibitions, andparticularly the of the Dotze Morterets, the dances, the con The mainevents are thespeech,launch goes upanddo shops and from the try traditional cart that During thisday, you canbuyitinall thepas contains ananimalfigurine inside. Sant Antoni,abriochewithmarzipan that The symbol ofthefestival isthetortellde parade, theCercavila Infantil deSantAntoni. res Tombs, theCorrefoc andthechildren’s wn RamblaPrincipal. 23 - -

@dracdevilanovailageltru A stroll through Vilanova Vella Carrer Major was formed on the route of the Camí Ral between Barcelona and Tarragona. It was the main street and you can still see some of the oldest and most stately homes in Vilanova there. This street preserves a detail that has di- sappeared from many parts of Catalonia. In the past, soldiers were billeted in private homes, and the rank of the soldier in question was painted on the façade.

On the façade of Casa Samà, you can still read GEral, short for ‘general’. Billeting

troops was a major inconvenience for @bonanit families, which is why the barracks were built in 1751 (see p. 32). In other streets of Vilanova, you can still see façades where L’Espai officers and non-commissioned officers Enogastronòmic were housed.

@dkabutos One of the many events hosted in The first hospital was set up in Carrer dels the Can Papiol garden is L’Espai Estudis 1-3, outside the city walls. There Can Papiol Enogastronòmic, devoted to food is now a courier company where you can and wine, which is held as part of see the hospital’s 14th-century arcade Romantic Museum the Fira de Novembre. Organised and the detail of two cast iron ships in the Romantic movement preserved in Catalo- by the Associació Temps de Vi, door lock. And speaking of iron, don’t miss A visit to Can Papiol, now the Romantic nia, which explains why it is often the set- it features workshops, tastings, the slender iron fountain a little further Museum, is a must. It is much more than a ting for period films like Panzer Chocolate pairings, cooking demonstra- down, the Font de Ferro. house: it is the symbol of the Papiol family and Stella Cadente. tions and gourmet products in a lineage. Behind its austere Neoclassical 19th-century atmosphere. façade are opulent halls decorated with all The most interesting rooms are the music the luxury that accommodated the flower room, the billiard room and, especially, the and cream of local high society at that large ballroom, where the family received Check it out! The house of the Mar- time. Visit and travel back to the 18th and guests. The house also has a striking Ro- quis of Samà, at Carrer Major 54-56, is not as Take note... In Can Papiol you can see well preserved as Can Papiol, but its Neoclassical 19th centuries. The house retains its origi- mantic garden, which makes it a unique the private chapel of the house, presided over by façade deserves a look, especially the extraordi- nal structure, layout and decorations. Can venue for social and cultural events due to an urn with the relic of the whole body of Santa nary wrought iron work on the bars and balconies. Papiol is one of the few examples of the its size and location in the Old Town. Constança. 24 25 Plaça de Pau Casals The Mercat Plaça Pau Casals is the oldest square in Vilanova and its name has changed many Noucentista times. Originally, in 1374, it was called Around 15 May, this Noucen- Plaça Major, and was where the market tista market is held in Plaça de was held. It housed the city council until les Cols and in the neighbouring 1867, when it was moved to Plaça de la streets. Aimed at paying homa- Vila (see p. 36). The current name was ge to the farmers of the city, given in 1936 in honour of the world-re- this market recalls Vilanova of nowned composer, conductor and cellist. the early 20th century. One of the star products is the top vegetable of El Garraf, espigalls, a variety of Brassica oleracea. This is a real zero-kilometre product with many culinary possibilities. The stall workers, dressed in the

@morillovalero style of the time, use old scales and the produce is arranged in baskets. You can find artisan The Pont del Nin Carrer de Sant Pere products, historical products, and Carrer del Comerç products for tasting... From Plaça Llarga in La Geltrú, you can see the complex of the Nin portal and a sec- The market of Vilanova was scattered throu- tion of wall that was part of the first forti- ghout the streets and squares of Vilanova fied enclosure of Vilanova. The walled Old Vella, hence the disparity of names. Carrer Town had four portals: Mar [‘Sea’], Terra del Comerç [‘Trade Street’], formerly Camí [‘Earth’], Clarà [‘Light’] and Negrell [‘Dark’]. de Mar [‘Sea Road], is still the entrance to Currently only the latter remains, the Pont the market for local goods today. In Plaça de del Nin, from 1370, which is now part of Pau Casals, grain and all kinds of food were Casa Nin. The façade in Carrer de Sant sold. The widest part of Carrer de Sant Pere Antoni retains the original structure and used to house the meat and fish markets, the family’s coat of arms. It still marks the which were moved when the Peixateria Ve- @b_e_l____ boundary between Vilanova and La Geltrú.

lla was built (see p. 14). The northern sec- @ajuntamentvng tion was known as Plaça de la Gallina [‘Hen Square’] because it was the place for buying Take note... At the junction of Carrer Did you know that... In 1358, poultry, but fruit and vegetables were also de Sant Pere and Carrer del Comerç, there are four Check it out! In the façade of Carrer Peter III the Ceremonious granted the right to hold balconies with a wrought iron dragon. One of the- del Comerç 23, which is on the corner, you can a weekly market every Wednesday in Vilanova. available. Vegetables and produce from or- se buildings is the headquarters of a hiking group, still see the place where the Mar portal of the wall chards were sold in Plaça de les Cols. the Agrupació Excursionista Talaia. around Vilanova once stood. 26 27 that allo ting pointinthemiddleofapedestrian island res inthecity:aparticularly welcoming mee 28 20th centuries. mark for high Vilanova society inthe 19th and ciation in Vilanova. It was the cultural bench floor ofthebuilding andistheoldes ciocultural organisation islocated onthefirst Plaça delesCols.Founded in1853,thisso The Foment Vilanoví buildingpresides over ment orcultural performance here. tre. Itiscommonto seeamusical,entertain - day outshoppingorwalking through thecen to playunderthewatchful eye ofadults ona buildings, oneofthebest placesfor children name. Thisisoneofthemos ted theweekly vegetable market, hencethe in 1732andfor thenext two centuries,ithos maintains theeleganceofthattime.Starting created andstill intheearly18thcentury Plaça delesCols[‘CabbageSquare’] was Plaça delesCols ws you to admire theharmony ofthe t charmingsqua t asso ------

@normals Check itout! missioned theconstruction of thebuilding the initialsofLlorenç deCabanyes, whocom tters Casa Cabanyes, where you canread thele On thecornerofCarrer delComerç stands the square. catering to service enjoy abeautifulview of Hav lan ArtNouveau) architecture anddecoration. no. 12, is a fantastic example of buildings in Plaça de les Cols, but Can JoanOlivella, e alookatits cultural programming and L.C . in the arch of the portal. These are

There are many pretty Modernista (Cata- - - Take note... nova. danceLesDansesdeVila the 19th-century On Carnival Sunday, intheafternoon, ithosts fine mealintheslow food restaurant. this square.. Museum,capturesBalaguer Library afestival in ses deVilanova, whichyou canseeintheVíctor sionist painter JoaquimMir, entitledLescompar- decor banyes (see p.82).You canadmire theinterior and w ations onthefirst floorwhileenjoying a as thefather ofthepoet ManueldeCa

A painting by theImpres- - - @juanjovig t ning, thecastellers willinvite you to a Monday, Wednesday orFriday eve Carrer deles Casernes.Ifyou visiton group, founded in 1972, is located in The headquarters ofthecasteller Vila into Plaça de 10 [‘Ten Square’]. and shackles.ThisturnedPlaçadela completed three of10with cover 2016 theCas viously LaRoserdeValls) andin b mented three ofninewas achieved In Vilanova in1852,thethird docu group intheirinclusionofwomen. of eight.They are alsoatrailblazing having completed theentire range ones to achieve nine levels after the yellow ochre shirts, are the only casteller (humantowers) group with Els Bordegassos deVilanova, the Els Bordegassos ake part intheirrehearsals. y theJoves Xiquets deValls (pre tellers deVilafranca - - -

@j.maestrophoto Els Josepets La Nit dels Museus In 1850, Vilanova i la Geltrú was walled up again due to the Carlist Wars. The On International Museum Day, in best-preserved watchtower in the city, mid-May, Vilanova i la Geltrú ce- the tower of La Immortalitat, or L’Hort lebrates La Nit dels Museus. That de l’Hospital, located on the intersection night, the city’s museums (Víctor between Torrent de la Pastera and Ronda Balaguer, the Railway Museum, Ibèrica, dates from this war. Espai Far, Can Papiol, La Sala and La Masia d’en Cabanyes) open This tower protected the Carmelite con- their doors until midnight, with vent, built in 1737, which became the musical performances, dance Hospital de Sant Antoni Abat. From Carrer and guided tours. de Sant Josep you can admire the faça- de of the church of Sant Josep, otherwi- This activity for all ages is an ideal se known as Els Josepets. The Baroque showcase of the city’s museum church is considered one of the best in heritage and a chance to enjoy its style. the coming of good weather.

At Carrer de Sant Josep 11 stands Casa Mir, built in 1869. The painter Joaquim Mir lived here with his Vilanova-born wife.

Did you know that... In Carrer de Sant Josep, right before the entrance to @mar_vilanova the centre La Plataforma, you can see a stone box office of the old Apollo Theatre, built in 1899, which was destroyed by a fire Contemporary Art in 2005. Centre La Sala

At the corner of Carrer de Sant Josep and as a platform for training and art educa- @papukibarabuki Carrer de Joaquim Mir, you’ll find the Con- tion. Built in 1804, the building was the Take note... Joaquim Mir is considered temporary Art Centre, where you can fo- city’s first theatre. After the opening of one of the most outstanding Catalan landscape llow the various temporary contemporary the Teatre Principal, this theatre became Check it out! Francesc Macià i Llussà, painters. He developed a personal pictorial style, a ballroom, Salón Marfil, popularly known president of the Government of Catalonia (Ge- often bordering on abstraction. A good sample of art exhibits and events scheduled for all neralitat) between 1931 and 1933, was born in his work can be seen in the Víctor Balaguer Li- audiences. La Sala helps to spread, stimu- as La Sala. Carrer Sant Josep. His historic words and an olive brary Museum (vg. p. 54). late and promote art in its various forms, tree commemorate this great man. 30 31 FIMPT VILANOVA VELLA (OLD TOWN)

c i

er An international traditional po- 1 d e r

F pular music festival called FIMPT 2 n

e ’

has been held in Vilanova i la D

a C. de Sant Josep i Geltrú since 1981. It is the lon- C. de l’Hospital as m C. de l’Escorxador gest-running event in Spain de- Raval de la Pastera la 4 C. dels Horts voted to world or roots music. The C. de Sant Magí í de am C festival brings together diverse C. de l’Ametller C. d’Olesa de Bonesvalls audiences, with performances in 3 central settings, but also in other C. de Joaquim Mir 7 public spaces in the city’s neigh- 14 Pl. de Miró 6 bourhoods. 5 i Soler C. Major C. del Pl. de l’Arxiprest C. Major Fossar Vell Llorenç Garriga C. de les Casernes

@leonor.cardona1 C. del Mig Pl. de Sant 9 C. de Barcelona C. dels Antoni C. de l’Església C. de la Lluna C. Manel de CabanyesCorralets 8 10 Plaça de les Casernes C. Nou C. del Palmerar

C. de Llarga Pl. de dalt The name casernes refers to barracks, Sant Pere C. de la Bomba11 C. del Palmerar which ended many Vilanova residents’ C. del Comerç C. dels Pl. de les Neus MercadersC. del Palmerar obligation to billet soldiers stationed in C. deC. Sant de Francesc l’Aigua C. de Sant Gregori de baix the town, as imposed by the 18th-cen- 12 C. de Montserrat tury Nova Planta decree. As a whole, the Pl. de la building follows the French model derived C. del Teatre C. de Sant Pau Peixateria

@fimptvng 13 from the War of the Spanish Succes- sion of 1714. In the square and adjacent C. del Jardí C. de Sant Joan Rambla Principal streets there are 120 trees of 10 different by ox heads that indicates its old use: a C. de Sant Gervasi

C. dels Caputxins C. del Vapor C. de la Unió species and a wide variety of shrubs. It slaughterhouse. It is worth having a look C. de Pàdua currently houses the Escola Municipal at the inner courtyard, now home to the d’Art i Disseny and the Club Patí Vilano- Escola i Conservatori Municipal de Músi- 1 Church of Els Josepets 5 Font de Ferro (fountain) 10 Plaça de Pau Casals va. Just behind the barracks, in Carrer de ca. The building is adjacent to the Auditori Eduard Toldrà 6 Can Papiol Romantic 11 Parish church l’Escorxador, there is a building marked Eduard Toldrà. 2 Auditorium Museum of St. Antoni Abat 3 Contemporary Art 7 Les Casernes 12 Plaça de les Cols Centre La Sala Take note... Behind the square you will Check it out! On the corner of Plaça 8 Bell Tower 13 Teatre Principal find the Eduard Toldrà Auditorium, named after de les Casernes and Carrer de la Pastera is an un- 4 Mestre Montserrat the Vilanova-born musician and composer. Pay titled sculptural work by Juan José Novella, which school of music 9 L’Orfeó Vilanoví 14 School (art & design) attention to this auditorium’s music programme.. symbolises access to the Camí Ral. 32 33 VILANOVA’S CITY CENTRE

The streets, avenues and squares of the centre currently form a large pedestrian island and the city’s quintessential shopping area. Vilanova i la Geltrú has become the commercial capital of the Penedès region precisely because of this historic centre, with its underground car parks, where it is very pleasant to walk, shop, rest or eat on one of the many outdoor terraces. You can find anything that you’re looking for here, not to mention theatre, cinema or any of the many festive or fair-related activities that take place in public.

The current city centre is part of one of the most important urban plans in the city, Eixample Gumà i Ferran, designed in 1876. This expansion came during a time when Vilanova’s productivity was undergoing transformation. Agricultural activities were affected by the industrialisation and urbani- sation of the city. Vilanova had the second factory with steam-powered textile machinery in Spain and was the third-largest textile city in Catalonia. The industrial and commercial expansion of Vilanova demanded the creation of its own bank. Thus, Caixa de Vilanova was created in 1877 and Banc de Vila- nova was founded in 1881.

Vilanova i la Geltrú’s nickname, Havana Xica [‘Little Did you know that... Plaça de la Vila and the surrounding area make for a great meeting point to Havana’], takes on full force in Plaça de la Vila, with enjoy a glass of wine or vermouth. On the terraces, its unique air redolent of different towns on the is- you can taste various tapas and appetisers. land of Cuba. @marthairiarte10 34 35 Plaça de la Vila Plaça de la Vila is the hub of public life and the most emblematic space in Vila- nova i la Geltrú, a regular meeting point surrounded by cafés, wineries, restaurants, terraces and the main pedestrian shopping streets.

It is one of the largest porched squares in Catalonia, created in a Romantic Neoclas- sical style. It was built in the 19th century with very Romantic aesthetic canons, surrounded by palm trees, with proportions reminiscent of Barcelona’s Plaça Reial.

The monument in the centre of the square is dedicated to Josep Tomàs Ventosa and has an exact replica in the city of Matanzas in Cuba, where he was mayor. He was a promoter of different social and educational facilities such as libraries and

public schools, both in Matanzas and Vi- @juanjovig lanova. del Villar (an architect who began work on products as popular as Vichy Catalan and operatic performances are also sche- Several buildings are protected as Cultu- the Sagrada Família in Barcelona before many films have been shot, such as Dra- duled. Of note is the front of the stage, ral Assets of Local Interest, such as Casa Gaudí); the building of the old Centro Ar- gon Rapide and When Larry Met Mary. the work of the Vilanova-born painter de la Vila (1867), the seat of the current tesano (1866), now the Joan Oliva i Milà Armand Cardona Torrandell. Town Hall, designed by Francesc de Paula Library; and Casa Olivella (1868), whose Six streets end in this square, which spectacular façade once housed a hotel shows that it was designed as a hub and a Around the square, you can also see the and a clinic. All were homes and legacies large public space. In Carrer de Sant Ger- Modernista-inspired Casa Ricart (in Ca- of natives of Vilanova who had made a vasi is the Círcol Catòlic, a building built in rrer de Sant Joan, no. 35) and the eclec- Did you know that...? You can often find Josep Tomàs Ventosa’s sta- fortune in the Americas. 1857. It houses the Círcol Catòlic theatre, tic Casa Bultó (no. 31-33). tue wearing a disguise, as it is used to make which is over 150 years old. Cinema and social, political or festive statements. On The enormous beauty of Plaça de la Vila the pedestal are the inscriptions and coats has made it a good location for shooting of arms of Barcelona and Vilanova. At the period films and commercials. Football Check it out! The written testimony foot of the statue is the coat of arms of of the foundation of Vilanova is the Carta Pobla of Check it out! The original and charac- Matanzas. players like Neymar have passed through King James I. Dating to the year 1274, it is repro- teristic shell-shaped mosaic on the ground has here, there have been advertisements for duced on the façade of the Town Hall. become a graphic icon of the city. 36 37 38 in PlaçadelaVila,to fightawar ofsweets. the streets to jump,danceandthrow candy who, accomp llows one of the more than 140 flag bearers, with bundlesfullofcandies.Eachcouplefo donning a Manila shawlsandcarnationsthemen ting couples,thewomen wearing traditional face. There are more than6,000participa transforms, changingits colours, aroma and is Carnival Sunday. ThisiswhenVilanova on Ash Wednesday. Themost magicalday choirs, the Vidalot andtheSardine Burial for children, theMascarots onSaturday, the emerges from a box), the Carnaval Infantil with honey andcovered withfeathers who Moix jesty Carnestoltes (the Carnival King), the Thursday shawl dance(BalldeMantons), the Fat days ofdebauchery. Highlights includethe The mainevents are concentrated inseven of theoneinVilanova ilaGeltrú. was like before, just lookattheprogramme you want to get anideaofwhatCarnival declar lonia, with more than 250 years of history, and best-attended Carnival festival inCata Vilanova ilaGeltrúhasthemost satirical Carnival sweet-smelling carpets.. the endofday, thestreets are colourful, candy are thrown by theparticipants. At Carnival Sunday, more than97tonnes of Did you know that...? ó Fogueró (anaked character, smeared ed aHeritage ofNationalInterest. If xatonades, theArrival ofHisMa barretina and typical clothing anied by acharanga, take to

On On - - - -

of Carnival. march thatfeels like theanthem ofVilanova and tuna cod,ancho blematic dishisthexató ofVilanova, asaladwith Check itout! sert, don’tmissthemeringuesandcoquesdellardons. Take note... vies, olives andxató sauce.For des

For Carnival, themost em

El Turuta isamilitary - - Take note... war in PlaçadeSoleriCarbonell. approach it.Thefestival endswithabigmeringue that hangsfrom apulley for thebravest who The Blanchpastry shopmakes agreat meringue Fat Thursday, asitisalsoMeringue Day.

The children eagerlyawait

@sergirodrigo 39

@yolandacg2014 @amicsvoramar @xaviarrojo Did you know that...? Running for 1,268 metres A stroll down and lined with plane trees on either side, it is the longest La Rambla and straightest pedestrian boulevard in Catalonia and is 20 metres wide. La Rambla is the most important promenade in Vilanova i la Geltrú, where much of the leisure, commercial, social and festive life is concentrated. Depending on the time of year, you can find one of the city’s many fairs and festivals or a folkloric or artistic event. Today, La Ram- bla is a friendly boulevard full of shops, restaurants and terraces, an ideal place for shopping and enjoying a meal.

First built in 1754, it took La Rambla two centuries to reach the sea (Passeig Marí- tim) and was one of the most important urban constructions of the 19th century. Many wealthy inhabitants wanted to have their house on this boulevard. That is why today it still retains a certain 19th-century taste and offers a repertoi- re of artistic and architectural features worth seeing. It is made up of two different stretches that connect with the sea: Rambla Principal and Rambla de la Pau. The name of the first refers to its importance and the second (pau means ‘peace’) reminds us of the end of the Car- list Wars.

Did you know that... Saint George’s Day (Sant Jordi) is another special occasion for La Rambla, when it is packed with people, booksellers, florists and organisations celebrating culture and love across Catalonia. @joan2003_miracle 40 41 A stroll down The Fira La Rambla de Novembre La Rambla is the most important promenade in Vilanova i la Geltrú, where much This fair takes place the second of the leisure, commercial, social and weekend after All Saints’ Day and festive life is concentrated. Depending is the largest open-air multisec- on the time of year, you can find one of toral event in Catalonia, both in the city’s many fairs and festivals or a physical size and due to the huge folkloric or artistic event. Today, La Ram- influx of visitors. This is not just bla is a friendly boulevard full of shops, an economic event. It is a sam- restaurants and terraces, an ideal place pling of the city based around for shopping and enjoying a meal. La Rambla as its main line and extends through Plaça de la Vila First built in 1754, it took La Rambla two and Baix-a-mar Park. Now it can centuries to reach the sea (Passeig Marí- also be visited in digital format. tim) and was one of the most important urban constructions of the 19th cen- The tradition of this fair dates tury. Many wealthy inhabitants wanted back to 1381. Since then, it has to have their house on this boulevard. evolved from an agricultural That is why today it still retains a certain event to a multisectoral one. 19th-century taste and offers a repertoi- re of artistic and architectural features @carlesgguinda worth seeing. It is made up of two different stretches that connect with the sea: Rambla Principal and Rambla de la The building can accommodate 470 Pau. The name of the first refers to its spectators. Next to the Teatre Principal importance and the second (pau means is Casa Mercedes Soler (no. 2), which ‘peace’) reminds us of the end of the Car- combines two previous buildings, built in list Wars. 1835. What makes this building unique is Walking down La Rambla, you will find the sgraffito, the craftsmanship of the the Teatre Principal (no. 4) from 1835. wood on the shutters and the wrought

Check it out! At Rambla de la Pau 44, you can see Can Pahissa, from 1921, one of the Did you know that...? The Modernista gems of the city. Its spectacular lobby Teatre Principal provides a stable program- has all the richness of Modernista details, such as me featuring performing arts, music and film the leaded glass skylight and the glazed ceramics throughout the year. See the extensive agenda.. @jmedinaalsina @dosdediscover on the walls. 42 43 44 Take note... nal momentwillgive you goosebumps. the church square. Thisvibrant and emotio- and thelaunchofspectacular fireworks in Lady oftheSnows, anexciting group dance Neus thatendswithaninvocation to Our Poble [‘People’s Vow’] to Mare deDéu deles The most emblematicevent istheVot del cavila del’Imaginari. Set Hores, theCercavila d’OficiandtheCer- de Vigília,theCastell deFocs, theBalldeles Morterets, theCercavila Lliure, theCercavila Highlights includetheCorrefoc, theDotze dresses inwhite. ting moments ofthefestival, wheneveryone day andeve of5August are themost exci - parades andevents ofgreat diversity. The lar dances,exhibitions, concerts, correfocs, vities for all tastes and ages, including popu- the streets andsquares are filledwithfesti- In mid-Julyandfor more thanafortnight, pabordes ofamediaeval, inmemory figure. organised by seven co-fraternities, called Documented from the18thcentury, itis festival hasroots inthePenedès region. comes alive and the people are happy. The ticipated timesoftheyear, whenthecity of its patron saint,isoneofthemost an- Vilanova ilaGeltrú’sFesta Major, inhonour Festa Major important Les Neus,inPlaçade laVila,isoneofthemost casteller events.

The humantower dayof per vila del’Imaginariconsists ofseven dances El Garraf. fr ces istheirinspiration intales andlegends Major. Themainfeature ofthisset ofdan of age on 6 August, thefinal day of Festa Did you know that...? om Vilanova ilaGeltrúandthe county of formed by children from 6to 16years

The Cerca- -

@flabiol76 Did you know that...? truga (seePasífae inthefold-out section). local artists andthecurrent onesare by ÒscarEs- Devils ofVilanova are commissionedby renowned date backto the18thcentury. Thecostumes ofthe 17th century. TheGiants andtheDragon ofVilanova beast offire) andtheDevils ofVilanova from the documentary references to LaMulassa(thena

There are

@ajuntamentvng @024manel pressive displayoffire. Plaça delaVila,where itends withanim- cotton clothes andfollow thecorrefoc to cover yourself well withlong-sleeved forGrab ahat,scarf your neckandface, under thefire. dancing, jumpingandrunningtogether tration of people, devils and beats offire rrefocs arose asanimpromptu demons- rrefoc for Festa Majorinlate July.co- The Vilanova ilaGeltrúhasanimportant co- Festa Major The Correfoc during 45

@josepmasalles 46 establishments, from cafés and bars with There isa great variety offood anddrink make the city a commercial hub in Penedès. and family shopswithgenuineproducts that opportunities withbrand-name franchises of Vilanova, you willfindplentyofshopping On thelarge pedestrian islandinthecentre and leisure Shopping gers clean. Don’tmissthepastry shopsand meal oravant-garde cuisineto lickyour fin- bite to eat,alocalortraditional two-course mouth andsnacks, to restaurants for aquick terraces thatoffer allkindsoflunches,ver- Did you know that...? Find outwhichonefits your schedule! Tapa, Vermutejant, MuseusalaCarta andmore. year, such as Ruta del Xató, DesTapa, Ruta de la different food-related events throughout the

There are

@cellercansola friends and acquaintances. the squares andstreets to spendtimewith notony, withadults ofallagespouringinto day to meet upandbreak themid-week mo- tapas withdrinks included.Thisisaregular in thecentre prepare thebest skewers and tapas. Many bars, wineries and restaurants If it’saThursday, you can’tmissgoingoutfor candies andsnacks to sweeten your stroll. ice cream parlours inthecentre, whichsell

@peixosboquera @mercatdelcentre utensils andplants, andtakeaway food. vegetables, clothing andaccessories,household Mercat delCentre, where you canfind fruitand the Mercadal street market isset uparound the Take note... will not fail to impress. lunch bartraditional full-service for thebest seafood recipes! The and advice.Ask thefishmongers provide you withthebest care The Mer tronòmica for cookingevents. sea andaninno duce from theorchard andthe with 67stalls offering fresh pro challenges ofthe21st century The mark lanova ilaGeltrú. architectural RationalisminVi It isoneofthefirst examples of was opened to the public in 1941. Plaça deSoleriCarbonelland bre Also known asOnzedeSetem - del Centre The Mercat , thismark cat’s stallholders will et isready to face the

et islocated in

vative AulaGas On Saturday mornings, - - - 47

@germina_sanchez 48 Check itout! façade withtheoriginalgaslamps. and atno.25-27you can seeabeautiful tury, following theroute oftheCamídeMar, xins isoriginalanddates from the17thcen- that are now walled up.Carrer delsCaput- tion inVilanova, butthere are more corridors This isthemost popularunderground loca- tery to CanPapiol (seep.24). secret corridors thatconnected themonas- the 18thcentury. Underground there were chin monks whooccupiedthemonastery in dels Caputxinsowes its nameto theCapu- tion products, appliancesandmore. Carrer ducts: clothes, shoes,accessories,decora - brands. You canfindawidevariety ofpro - more commercialshops onLaRamblacarry are theheart oflocalshopping,andthe by PlaçadelsCotxes andPlaçadelaVila, Cols andPlaçadeSoleriGustems, passing These two streets, between Plaça de les Carrer deSantSebastià dels Caputxinsand Carrer by urbangrowth. dox Christian worship, ithasbeen swallowed up Sant Sebastià (no.7).Currently aplacefor Ortho- tià contains something interesting: thechurch of Did you know that...? house would not fall. that even thoughhebroke thecolumns, columns. Itissaidthattheowner hadjoked Ramona iMaynés,recognisable for its broken Carrer delsCaputxins6,you canseeCasa

Carrer deSantSebas-

At At square, you canseeCasaJunqué iEscofet, and Vilano sided over by thecoats ofarmsBarcelona tery oncestood, there are two sgraffiti pre where thechurch oftheCapuchinmonas CasaSalesiVidal,built In the19th-century t ral Asset ofLocal Interest. Itisagoodplace broken-tile borders are protected as a Cultu fiv na. Its architectural ensemble,buildings, left fr med after thecarriagesandcoachesthat Plaça delsCotxes [‘CarriageSquare’] isna Plaça delsCotxes o sitandrest. e-armed iron lantern andpavement with om here for Vilafranca andBarcelo va ilaGeltrú. Presiding over the - - - - - ma Concepció,currently EscolaElCim. school runby theMissioneres delaPuríssi the buildinghasbeentransformed into a gives accessto thefirst floor.Since1892, white stone ashlars. Its majestic staircase which is in Neoclassical style and made of Did you know that...? Cotxes 4-5. of theoldest ison the house at Plaça dels traffic andbringlightto thestaircase. One their mainpurpose was to watch for boat de from beingasignofprosperous home, buildings.Asi- some 18th-and19th-century txes are tower-like structures thatcrown

Torra- - @toniruca city’s shops. objects inthewindows ofthe when children lookfor strange cont malia’ [‘Find What’sStrange’] During Carnival, the‘Busca l’Ano big discounts. opportunity t andAugustbruary andisagreat Fora Estocs takes placein Fe with musicandmany surprises. establishments liven upthenight a r andtrends,hion, trade, services This e clude Vilanova ShoppingDay. many campaigns itorganises in than 180establishments. The la Geltrú,gr vices associationofVilanova i Viu Comerç, thetrade andser Local commerce eal street party inwhichthe est hasbecomeatradition vent in Mayfeatures fas oups together more o findproducts at - - - - - 49

@soleborderia @muntsa_21 @annf.ivan @xaviarrojo

Plaça Miró de Montgròs Plaça de Gumà i Ferran Park Soler i Gustems Here you will find the most majestic orna- Also known as Samà Park, this is a good mental fountain in the city. Made of stone Also known as Plaça dels Carros, this lar shape with two towering Casuarina place to stop if you are looking for some and marble, it has four spigots coming out square dates back to the late 18th century. tree specimens. The fountain is the first peace and quiet. Created in 1881 and pro- of sculpted faces. Until 1848 it remained inside the fortified in the city in Modernista style. When a moted by Francesc Gumà i Ferran, who had enclosure, where the Portal de Mar stood. foreigner joins the society of Vilanova, it become rich in Cuba, this garden park fo- The first stone was laid on 18 January Two roads led from there: Camí Gran and is popularly said that he or she ‘has drunk llows the guidelines of Romanticism with 1861, the day that water was first brou- Camí Xic. The fountain was donated to from the fountain in Plaça dels Carros’. paths with organic shapes, a bridge with ght to Vilanova i la Geltrú thanks to Josep the city by Joaquim Soler i Gustems. The a balustrade and a kiosk with a terrace. In A. Vidal, who bequeathed 40,000 ducats square has a very characteristic triangu- The bakery at no. 10 was declared the the centre is a pond with a waterfall and from the fortune he made in Cuba. best in the world in 2017. It is a good place the figure of the Geni, a sculptural ensem- to enjoy, take a break from the commer- ble that simulates a man forcing a stone cial bustle or eat on the terraces. from which gushes water from the ancient Did you know that...? At Ca- Take note... On the corner of Carrer de rrer del Correu 89, you’ll find Casa Florenci spring of Plaça de les Neus (vg. p. 21). la Llibertat and Rambla de Josep Tomàs Ventosa, Sala from 1873. The second floor was an ex- there is the Capella and Casa d’Empara, a chapel pansion in 1898 by the architect Josep Puig Check it out! The name Plaça dels and house built in the late 19th century. Inside, i Cadafalch, one of the greatest representa- Carros [‘Coach Square’] comes from outsiders’ Take note... Escola Samà, which is a the tabernacle stands out, which is the work of tives of Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) former habit of leaving their coaches there. Thus, Pious School, has a small chapel with an interes- Josep M. Jujol, an architect who collaborated on in Catalonia. we have Plaça dels Carros and Plaça dels Cotxes ting wood sculpture of Saint Joseph, carved by the some projects with Gaudí. further on up. sculptor Josep Ricart. 50 51 heritage setting in an old workshop The coming facilitates the exchange, spread and pro- of the railway motion of knowledge about rail transport and connectivity. It has more than 50 It was not until a strong push by Francesc vehicles of all kinds: electric and diesel lo- Gumà i Ferran that the concession was comotives and passenger cars of various granted to create a railway line along the types that tell the story of the railway and coast. This was a complicated task be- its contribution to cities’ social and eco- cause the Garraf Massif had to be drilled nomic development. and tunnels had to be built for trains to pass. They used the best materials and It is part of the National Museum of technologies that had been used thus far Science and Technology of Catalonia and in Europe. is one of the top museums in Catalonia and the entire Iberian Peninsula. The Societat del Ferrocarril de Valls a Vi- lanova i Barcelona was founded in 1877. A private company with no government support, it was funded by the promoters’ personal fortunes and various public subscription campaigns. The railway line along the coast opened on 29 Decem- @mferrocarrilcat ber 1881. It was a big day for Vilanova i la Geltrú. middle of Plaça d’Eduard Maristany, we find a monument to the promoters of the The Catalonia The station is the most monumental on railway, from 1881, to commemorate the Railway Museum the Valls-Vilanova-Barcelona line. In the train’s arrival to the city. It was the first in Spain dedicated to the railway. It displays In the same square, you’ll find the Catalo- different female sculptures representing nia Railway Museum. This train museum the cities joined by the railroads and a is an exceptional cultural facility due to central figure representing Catalonia. The its old locomotive depot and spectacular monument also has effigies of different collection of the most important historical railway investors who had made their for- steam locomotives in Europe. Its unique tunes in Cuba.

Take note... In the Catalonia Railway Did you know that...? You can Museum, you can see the Tren del Centenari, the discover a whole new world of craft beer fla- replica of the first train that ran on the Iberian Pe- vors with the Singlot association competitions: ninsula in 1848 between the cities of Barcelona Fes-t’hiu, in July, and Fes-t’hi, in December. and Mataró. Hence, the locomotive is known as

@elsinglot the Mataró. @albertsalichspelegri 52 53 C. de Sant Joan The Víctor Balaguer C. de la Mercé C. de Pàdua

C. de Sta. Madrona

VILANOVA C. de la Unió Library Museum C. de Sta. Eulà lia 4 Founded in 1884 by the politician and writer C. de 5 CITY CENTRE C. de Sant Gervasi 3 la Fruita C. de la Muralla who gave it its name, it is one of the oldest and 2 C. de Sitges most unique museums in Catalonia, declared a 7 C. dels Caputxins ri

Ne Av. de Francesc Macià Rambla Principal 6

i Museum of National Interest. It largely retains l e

F 1 C. del Col·legi . its original aesthetics and collections. Visit and 8 t S

C. del Correu e find out what a 19th-century museum was like. d . C. de Pelegrí Ballester C 9 C C. de la Unió Cristòfol Sant de C. . de la Pro vidènc ia It has an important collection from the Museo 10 del Prado in Madrid, sculpture in small and Pl. d’Enric Cristòfol large format, archaeology, decorative and in- Ricard Rambla del Castell

dustrial arts, ethnographic collections from Sebastià C. de St.

C. de dels Escolapis Rambla de Salvador Samà C. de Josep Llanza Av. del Garraf the Philippines, China and Japan, pre-Colum- @quique1954 C. de l’Havana C. de Tetuan C. del Codonyat

bian and Egyptian art and a vast collection of 11 Rambla Principal Catalan and foreign publications. The building C. de Cuba was one of the first museums in Catalonia to 13 14 12 C. del Correu C. de la Unió Av de C. de Puigcerdà l’Exposició be conceived and built specifically as a library Garí Pare del C. Rambla Josep Antoni Vidal Rambla Josep Tomàs Ventosa and a museum, which was unusual at the time. 15 It was created as a temple of knowledge dedi- 16 cated to the Arts, Sciences and Letters. C. de J. Anselm Clavé

C. d’Hernani

C. Llibertat

Av. del Ferrocarril Av. de Víctor Balaguer The inscription at the entrance, ‘Surge et Am- 17 Rambla de la Pau C. de la Restauració C. del Forn del Vidre Pl. d’Eduard bula’, refers to the biblical story of Lazarus. It C. d’Albert Virella i Bloda C. de Maddalena Miró Maristany 21 also has a clear symbolic reading, as it refers 18

Rambla Rambla de Salvador Samà 19 20 to the passage from darkness to light, from C. de Joan Maragall death to life and the path to knowledge. A good 1 Mercat Centre (Market) 8 Church of Sant 15 Víctor Balaguer mason, Balaguer left clues of his devotion that Sebastià Library Museum you are invited to discover in an exciting visit. 2 Casa Olivella 9 Saturday street market 16 UPC (University) There is speculation that his body is buried so- 3 Joan Oliva Library mewhere in the museum and not in his spec- @mvictorbalaguer 10 Pl. de Soler i Gustems 17 Escola Pia tacular graveyard tomb (see p. 83). 4 Plaça dels Cotxes 11 Casa Renard 18 Gumà i Ferran Park 5 Plaça de Miró 12 Did you know that...? Vilanova’s de Montgròs Casa d’Empara 19 Can Pahissa Take note... Víctor Balaguer is consi- UPC campus belongs to the Polytechnic Univer- 6 Tourist Information 13 UPC Library 20 Train Station dered one of the most important Catalan politi- sity of Catalonia and dates back to 1881 with the cians and writers of the 19th century. He was one Escola d’Arts i Oficis that was located in Plaça de 7 Plaça de la Vila 14 UPC Student 21 Catalonia Railway of the main promoters of the Catalan Renaissan- la Vila, founded by Josep Tomàs Ventosa. and Town Hall Residence Museum ce and was part of four Madrid governments. 54 55 BAIX-A-MAR THE FISHING VILLAGE The marina district is popularly known as Baix-a-mar, when it was separated from Vilanova and La Geltrú. Documents show that it has been populated since the middle of the 6th century BC, by the Iberians in Darró, in the area of Sant Gervasi. However, its activity took off when King Peter III granted Vilanova the privileges of loading and unloading on the local beaches in 1366. The city was later transformed in the 18th century, when Charles III authorised the establishment of trade routes with the Americas. Vilanova was and still is one of the most important ports in Catalonia.

The beach’s marina, Ça Llacuna, recognised in the Car- ta Pobla of 1274, grew thanks to the fishermen who settled in a kind of lagoon supplied by water from the streams. In the 18th century, on the beach of Vilano- va, ships loaded with products from the West Indies arrived every day, while other ships loaded with spirits, wines and preserves left for the Philippines, Russia, Puerto Rico and especially Cuba. Some local inhabitants left for Cuba and it is at this point that Vilanova i la Geltrú adopted the nickname of Havana Xica [‘Li- ttle Havana’], because it reproduced the architectural, aesthetic and cultural models seen on the island. It was not until the extension of La Rambla, the establishment of the old Pirelli factory and the steps under Did you know that...? At the end of Passeig the tracks that Baix-a-mar was integrated and grew, de Ribes Roges, you can find the archaeological with the residential areas of Sant Cristòfol and Ribes site of Adarró, an Iberian village from the 6th to the Roges. Nowadays, the people of the seaside still say: 1st century BC, and a Roman villa, founded around ‘I’m going to the village’ and the people of the village 50 BC and abandoned in the 6th century AD. At the say: ‘I’m going to Baix-a-mar’. weekends, you can visit some of the Iberian ruins. @vng_mros_photo 56 57 Barri de Mar Festes de Sant Pere Baix-a-mar still retains the marine atmosphere on the seafront and maintains its own Declared of Marine Tourist Interest, identity within the municipality. Along the this festival has been documented seafront, Baix-a-mar is divided into: Sant since 1624. Since then, Barri de Cristòfol, Barri de Mar, Eixample de Mar, Ribes Mar has been celebrating its main Roges, Santa Llúcia and El Prat de Vilanova. festival for more than 10 days in honour of Sant Pere (Saint Peter), Until well into the 18th century, fishermen the patron saint of fishermen, at and sailors took refuge in the fortified villa- around 29 June. The main event ges of La Geltrú or Vilanova, due to the dan- of the festivities is the traditional ger posed by the attacks of Barbary pirates sea procession accompanied by and Genoese and Venetian corsairs. That is folk dances, which culminates in why the beaches only had the warehouses @jovalvng @joansalvador96 a traditional blessing, according to they used to store their fishing tackle and 18th-century custom, and a trip in moorings. construction of the railway ended up marking the boat that carries the saint fo- the line that further divided the town. La Gel- The parish church of the llowed by many decorated boats. The immediate proximity of the beach to trú and Vilanova became more distant than Immaculada Concepció Vilanova fostered the creation of an outs- ever from Baix-a-mar. The great dream of The festivities include about 50 tanding industrial fabric related to the wine the people of Vilanova was to open the bou- Also known as the church of El Mar [‘church events, including the Correfoc, the trade, including pot stills, distilleries and wi- levard to the sea and the aspiration of the of the Sea’], work on it began in 1854 and Habaneras Singing, the Concurs nemakers. The great economic movement fa- people living on the seaside was to join the was completed thanks to the contributions d’All Cremat (a culinary compe- cilitated by the sea made Vilanova i la Geltrú town of Vilanova. After many attempts, they of the people of Vilanova living overseas, who tition), the old-fashioned auction, one of the most important seafaring towns in were united in 1957. helped to pay for the creation of the new sea- the Llaguts rowing challenge, the Catalonia, as well as one of the towns that side church dedicated to Sant Pere Pescador, Jornada Marinera and many more. sent the most Catalans to the Americas. who finally also gave his name to it. Many returned to Vilanova and used their Did you know that...? Seven- wealth to fill the city with luxurious homes, ty per cent of the wines and spirits of Pene- squares, gardens, public fountains, schools dès are produced in El Garraf and marketed Mercat de Mar and factories. This dynamism generated from the port of Vilanova. This activity was the first cultural, recreational and leisure so important that a guild of boatmen was It is important to stop at the market, loca- even created in the city that participated in ted in one of the most charismatic enclaves organisations. ‘Havana Xica’ was born. Not the regulation of ordinances in Catalonia. everything was for the best, however, as the in the city’s maritime district, next to the church square and the most commercial street in the area. This modern market Check it out! Thanks to the Fàbrica de Check it out! A building in Passeig offers fresh products of all kinds, straight Mar, in 1854 the oil lighting of the main streets of Marítim (no. 71) is the only one of its kind still in- from the garden and the sea. the town was replaced. Vilanova became the third tact. It is one of the former homes of fishermen city in Catalonia to enjoy gas street lighting. from Vilanova. @jaume_carnicer_mas 58 59 The Port Fishermen’s Guild Sant Cristòfol of Vilanova The Port of Vilanova is one of the first and the Lighthouse and second most important in Catalonia, Maritime trade continued with Europe and both for the volume of catches and the the Philippines, but the establishment of free diversity of species and for the volume El Turó de Sant Cristòfol is a residential trade with the Americas in the 18th century of business and the existing fleet. Each area, a garden city project from 1920 that is marked the period of greatest splendour ever year, 3,369 tonnes of fish are caught home to one of the icons of Vilanova, the Li- seen in Vilanova i la Geltrú. Due to their stre- with a turnover of 11 million euros. The ghthouse of Sant Cristòfol. Also noteworthy nuous work, rowing the boats on the waves fleet of this fishermen’s guild manages are the church of Sant Cristòfol and the Molí every day, fishermen and sailors longed for a the Llotja del Port (fish trade market), de Mar. Work first began here on the railway port. In 1919, the first construction work on where you can see fish caught by about line, on the Vilanova i la Geltrú-Barcelona the port began, with an 80-metre breakwa- 70 boats that use fishing techniques section, which began service in 1881 (see p. 52). This is the start of the Els Colls i Miral- peix path, one of the few natural areas on the Barcelona Coast where you can see different fortifications and machine gun nests built in 1936 in defence against landings by Franco’s forces.

The church @luisill063 of Sant Cristòfol Check it out! The 21-metre-tall ligh- The church dates from the 14th century and thouse emits a unique message with three white was the only church linked to seafaring life flashes every eight seconds and a nominal range until the church of El Mar was built. Inside of 19 miles (35.188 km). are two oil paintings from the 18th century.

Did you know that...? The Roig Toqués Seafaring Curiosities Museum @jjtrejo L’Espai Far pays homage to Juanita, an internationally famous carp fish taught by its owner to drink ter. By 1954, it was already a reality. The port such as trawling, trembling, encircling This area boasts three museums: the Museum from a glass pitcher and eat with a spoon. is fully integrated into the seafront and has and longline. of the Sea, the Roig Toqués Seafaring Curio- four docks: fishing, commercial, sports and sities Museum and the Víctor Rojas Display. long-distance. Strolling along the east pier Here you will discover the stories of sailors and is highly recommended, as is the exceptio- Check it out! Vilanova was one of the fishermen, seafaring curiosities and the shoc- Take note... Eugeni d’Ors acquired first Catalan towns to have a sailors’ guild in 1579, the church of Sant Cristòfol in 1944, where he nal view from the port square and the sun- which already had the Brotherhood of Sant Elm king story of the ‘Year of the Drowned’ in 1886. founded L’Acadèmia del Far, a meeting place for sets from the Rambla del Port to the west and Sant Pere, dedicated to the protection of sai- In the gardens of L’Espai Far, you can also enjoy artists, philosophers and writers of the time and breakwater and mouth of the port. lors, fishermen and navigators. presentations and small concerts. to spend his final days. 60 61 Seafood The Festival Vilanova i la Geltrú has always been one of the benchmarks of fine seafood in Ca- del Xató talonia, both for the variety of traditional Xató is the signature dish of Vila- dishes and for the authentic interpreta- nova i la Geltrú and the Fat Thur- tions of the restaurant owners, thanks to

@hotelceferino sday meal linked to the world of the variety of fresh fish that arrives at the wine. The ceremony of tapping Port of Vilanova. You will find fisherman’s the barrel allowed the wine to be dishes such as soups, suquets, gibre- removed. The dish, which like the llades, rice dishes and ranxos mariners. sauce is called xató, traditionally Vilanova’s cuisine has played a very im- consisted of anchovies, tuna and portant role in obtaining the seal of Mari- cod, common on farmers’ tables, ne Districts and Villages of Catalonia from

@tempsdevi accompanied by winter vegeta- the Government de Catalonia. bles such as endive and olives,

@1918cuinademar all enriched with the sauce made The cuisine and character of the city are with techniques hinting at Ara- authentically Mediterranean. Without a bic origins. This was served with doubt, Vilanova’s prawn is the star of La omelette cakes, with coques de Llotja and the city’s most emblematic llardons and meringue for dessert. dish is the xató de Vilanova. The local produce of Vilanova’s vegetable gardens, The Festival del Xató and the such as espigalls, col paperina (kale) and ‘Market Festival’ are held in late escarola perruqueta (endive), is uniquely November and provide a unique based on its quality. Highlights include all opportunity to get to know and cremat [‘burnt garlic’] and a stew of hake, @venturapeixos acquire the products to make an turbot or even monkfish. The other great authentic xató de Vilanova and dish, also served with potatoes, is raw Vilanova, such as the traditional allipebre. enjoy a varied tasting of elaborate cuttlefish, caught on the beach of Vilano- Bull de tonyina is a real dish for a hauler or tapas and more local products. va; it is important to use everything, even sailor, made with beans, snails and tuna the spleen. You can find many communal belly. If you follow the traditional recipes, @tempsdevi ranxos mariners (fishermen’s mess) in you will be surprised and delighted. Temps de Vi

Did you know that...? Fish Take note... The traditional Concurs Temps de Vi is a fair that promotes wines freshly caught from boats is auctioned at La d’All Cremat, a culinary competition during the made in Catalonia and wine and cava cul- Llotja. Don’t miss this fish market’s two daily Festes de Sant Pere, has been held around 50 ture. It is one of the busiest spring events auctions: at 8 am for the seiner fish and at times and brings together 25 couples who com- 3.30 pm for the rest. pete to make this garlic and seafood dish with old in the city, with over 52,000 people tasting

charcoal stoves and hand bellows. wine from around 40 Catalan wineries. @rutadelxato 62 63 El Passeig (promenade) El Tingladu This free Catalan music and cul- For the people of Vilanova, strolling down ture festival promotes self-ma- Passeig Marítim or Passeig del Carme is nagement and the recovery of known as ‘anar al passeig’. This seafront public space. It is organised by has been shaped over time. Originally fi- the non-profit cultural and festive shermen’s houses and sheds were built organisation Can Pistraus, assis- along the seaside without any kind of ted by over 200 volunteers. Four alignment. days of concerts form one of the festivals of the year in Plaça de Before the Port was built, the beach rea- l’Octubre, in Baix-a-mar Park. ched the doors of the houses on the current boardwalk. When there was a storm, the sea moved through the houses and the water came out the other side. Dressed in wooden clogs and a beret, the fishermen beached the boats in front of their house. Under the balconies of the warehouses, nets were @mar_vilanova mended, fish traps were made and fish

were sold, although most fish were sold in building had many luxury bathhouses and

the Peixateria Vella (see p. 14) in the village. a carriage service. @eltingladu Two years after the ‘Year of the Drowned’, a shipwreck rescue station was built next Eixample de Mar Eixample de Mar is the new residential and to Torre Blava, where there was a muni- commercial space in Baix-a-mar, located cipal swimming pool in the 1980s. Víctor Vilanova i la Geltrú’s great splendour and where the old Pirelli factory once stood, be- Rojas, one of the three lifeboats preserved industrial growth made it the third most fore it was moved to the outskirts in 2003. in Catalonia, which you can see at L’Espai important city in Catalonia for the cotton Far (see p. 61), was also used at the sta- industry, but the decline of that sector in the

@imatgesvilanova tion. A charity spa called La Caridad was late 19th century closed some factories and Did you know that...? Ram- opened in Passeig del Carme in 1887. The many inhabitants left the city. Fortunately, in bla del Port is an excellent place for walking 1902 the Italian company Pirelli took advan- or cycling. You can stop and take a photo Did you know that...? Many of tage of the situation to set up a large factory with the Whale fountain which draws water the palm trees on Passeig Marítim and Pas- Take note... At the end of Rambla de la in Baix-a-mar. It had a total of 2,500 wor- every hour on the hour and with the letters seig del Carme are centuries old, from when Pau, you will find a monument by Josep Maria Su- kers and brought unprecedented new social Port de Vilanova and La Geltrú at the mouth, the water and sand arrived next to the houses, birachs to Francesc Macià i Llussà, the president while contemplating the views. Both light long before the Port of Vilanova was built. of the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat) who and labour benefits. The king of Italy was the up in the evening. was born in Vilanova i la Geltrú in 1859. first foreign head of state to visit the town. 64 65 A stroll through Ribes Roges With the Catalan bourgeoisie having taken to summering in the late 19th century, the fashion of sea baths was established and a luxury residential area, the garden city of Ribes Roges, was created in 1910. Passeig de Ribes Roges starts at Torre Blava and reaches the Adarró area. If you want to discover some treasure, take a walk around the @xaletdelnin block of houses between numbers 4 and 9, between Carrer de Marcel·lina Jacas and Xalet del Nin, built in 1913 and called Mi- where the historic Marina cattle trail con- Carrer d’Isaac Peral, and you will discover ramar. This Modernista- and Noucentis- nects Vilanova i la Geltrú with the Pyrenees some Noucentista and Modernista villas. ta-style house was built in a popular Cata- and goes all the way to Llívia (Cerdanya). The name Ribes Roges was already in use lan architectural style that makes it unique. in the 16th century and comes from the red It has recently been recovered and is cu- colour of the clayey soils along the beach At the foot of the hill, you can see the ruins rrently used for herding, for sports and for that dyed the sea water when the waves of Adarró. These are the remains of an Ibe- enjoying contact with nature. broke when there was a storm. Now that rian village inhabited by the Cossetani eth- reddish soil remains under the boardwalk. nic group from the 6th to 1st centuries BC that later became a Roman village within Torre de Ribes Roges, currently known as the territory of Tarraco until the 6th cen- Torre Blava-Espai Guinovart, pays homage tury AD. The location was one of the most to the Mediterranean Sea and its people, important in the Cossetani area and was but it has had many uses. It was built as also remarkable in the Ager Tarraconensis

one of three defence towers during the Car- @juliaberrocal_ during the Late Roman Empire. You may

list Wars. In the early 20th century it was only visit part of the ruins today. @ajuntamentvng turned into a restaurant, then a ballroom, stop along their journey. The width of the La Pèrgola, and in the 1980s, it became boardwalk, combined with the large access Crossing the bridge under Via d’Adarró, you the Tourist Office. Of note is Ribes Roges areas to the beaches and the shade of can take a walk along Camí de Sant Gervasi Check it out! The discovery of an Park, which has sports areas for basketba- the palm grove, with more than 200 palm and reach the Racó de Santa Llúcia. This is ancient, fossilised vine on Turó de Sant Gervasi suggests that it was one of the first wine trading ll, indoor football, pétanque, table tennis, a trees, makes for pleasant walking, skating sites on the Barcelona coast. fantastic track for running and bar-restau- or cycling. You can also enjoy the succulent rant services. For the little ones, there are seafood of the fine restaurants and the rest Did you know that...? The mi- modern children’s areas and a miniature of the hotels. niature train and track is a fantastic activity for families. From October to May, it runs on Take note... If you like Jamaican mu- train and track. From the roundabout, you Sunday mornings. For the rest of the year, sic, the Festival Nowa Reggae offers you a wee- can see the protected species area, where At the top of Turó de Sant Gervasi hill, tou- you’ll need to check the schedules. kend in mid-July with the most renowned inter- the birds lay their eggs and migratory birds ching the sea, you will find the exceptional national bands. 66 67 Nautical activities Summer camps If you are looking for boating adventures, discovering natural spaces, getting started When summer comes and the in water sports or sand sports, then the school holidays arrive, from beaches and sea of Vilanova i la Geltrú are June to September, you will find the place for you. The mild temperatures dozens of young people and chil- and quality of the water make it possible to dren of all ages on the beach of practice a wide variety of nautical activities Vilanova, enjoying and learning to for all tastes, ages and levels. The very fine sail with all kinds of boats. sand is ideal for sand sports, as evidenced by the important first-rate championships Highlights include sailing, kaya- held there, such as volleyball and beach ru- king and paddle surfing, as well gby. You can also go sailing or surfing. as volleyball and beach football. Companies offer these summer camps for days or weeks, but also all year round. Just ask at Club Nàutic Vilanova, Cota Zero and Roc Roi. @mforadada

Vilanova Grand Marina Club Nàutic Vilanova @rocroiadventure The largest marina in the western Medite- With more than 50 years of history, this rranean with moorings and exclusive ser- club has 800 moorings from six to 22 The Nautical Station vices for large vessels is located in Vilano- meters for purchase and rental. The club’s of Vilanova i la Geltrú va i la Geltrú. It offers 48 moorings from sailing school offers training courses for 25 to 130 m. Located at the end of the all levels and ages throughout the year The nautical station offers all kinds of boardwalk, this is one of the largest docks and over 2,000 students pass through activities such as sailing, motorboating, in Catalonia and serves as a base port for school sailing programmes. In addition, sea kayaking, windsurfing, surfing, scuba large sailing boats and megayachts. the new building, with catering service on diving and sea trips, with a wide range of the first floor, offers exceptional views of complementary activities such as horse the Port of Vilanova. riding, golf and guided tours. The visitvi- lanova.cat website brings together all the Did you know that...? From February to June, you can see whales over Take note... If you want to sail without nautical, accommodation, restaurant and 20 metres long a few miles from the coast a skipper, the companies located in Club Nàutic leisure options, both for individuals and for of Vilanova. offer boats for up to five people for rent without

groups and families. a sailing license. @club_nautic_vilanova 68 69 Leisure area Baix-a-mar is the city’s great place for leisure in summer, both day and night. The boardwalk is one of the busiest areas for vermouth, lunch and dinner on the terraces or for taking a walk, enjoying ice cream and the good atmosphere of the night craft market. Passeig Marítim also has very fine restaurants that combi- ne traditional seafood cuisine with bold approaches.

The nightlife establishments in Rambla del Port are the benchmark for summer nights, along with bars. These establishments provide exceptional views of the port, the beaches and the sunsets.

If you like to dance and listen to music, this is the ideal place for the young at @ladaurada heart. You can have a drink in the mid-afternoon while enjoying DJ sessions and keep the party going until late at night. @majose468

The xiringuitos summer heat, but you can have lunch and The beaches have seven beach bars ca- dinner there. During the day, they organi- lled xiringuitos open in summer, serving se different types of activities, such as bathers, athletes and people having a yoga in the morning, children’s workshops stroll. Not only can you order a sandwich, in the afternoon and chill-out sessions in

soft drink or ice cream to soothe the the evening, with all the comfort provided @jordilleo by Balinese beds and hammocks in the sand. When night falls, live concerts and Take note... The fireworks on 4 Au- monologues liven up the evening. This Check it out! The seafront is a great gust, the eve of Festa Major, is the busiest event is more than worthwhile for all ages on place to enjoy a sunset any day of the year, but of the festivities. Anywhere on the seafront is a especially in the winter when the sun sets over good place to watch it, but the Ribes Roges area hot summer nights, including for families the sea. If you capture the profile of the Pasífae

@habana_blue_chiringuito is the best. with children. [‘Pasiphae’] sculpture, it will be unforgettable. 70 71 72 Bandera Azul. sations suchasBiosphere, Ecoplayas and certifications from international organi- for theiraccessibilityandhave quality area onthesand.Thebeachesare ideal exit channelfor lightboats and asports ple withreduced mobility. Most have an footbaths andamphibiouschairs for peo- of thewater atalltimes,toilets, showers, on theconditionsatseaandquality information barservices, guard services, during the summer, services such as life- are thebeaches,whichhave allkindsof One ofthegreat attractions ofthecity the beaches The seaand

@joaquin_rabasco neighbouring cityofSitges (see.p.80). i Miralpeix path begins,which reaches the in anexceptional setting where theElsColls for its lighthouseandrestoration ofnature this istheeasternmost beach.Itstands out Popularly known as platja de la Farola beach, St Cristòfol lighthouse not only to brings thecitycentre closerto thebea ches usingthe dayticket. ches, butitisalsoagood option for visitingthebea Take note ...

In summer, thetourist train - - talonia. calls itoneofthebest beachesinCa- ball andfootball. National Geographic beach sports championships like volley- During thesummer, ithosts different The largest andmost popularbeach. Ribes Roges in thefold-out section (below). You canseeall theother beaches The other beaches...

@vilanovaturisme unique identity. festivals, traditions, cuisineanda Catalan coast that haspreserved the few fishingvillageson the commit to tourism, ithadoneof but sinceVilano reign tourists started to trickle in, tion. Starting in the 1960s, fo Villages of Catalonia certifica also enjoys MarineDistricts and Coast are found here. Thecity mos le slopes.Someofthelargest and beaches with fine sand and gent coastline witheightcalmwater more thanseven kilometres of Catalonia as family beach, it has for Family Holiday Destination of identity ly tourism, whichhighlights its to qualityandsustainable fami Vilanova i la Geltrú is committed village and thefishing Family Tourism t popularontheBarcelona . As acertifieddestination va didnot clearly - - - - 73

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Rambla del Port Port de Vilanova i la Geltrú 4 Adarró ruins 16 Whale fountain 27 Plaça del Port Rambla 5 Sant Gervasi beach 17 Vilanova Grand Marina 28 Fishermen’s Guild del Port 17 La Llotja (fish market) 16 6 La República beach 18 Leisure complex Mega 29 Espai Far Yachts 7 Adarró beach 19 Letters of the Port Port Trade 18 Port

Dic de Ponent

30 @dvrubio Lighthouse of St Cristòfol 8 Pasífae (Pasiphae) 20 Mercat de Mar (Market) 31 Church of Sant Cristòfol 9 Ribes Roges beach 21 Mercadal del divendres @ margaserra 32 Sant Cristòfol lighthouse 10 Miniature train 22 Parish church of the beach 19 Immaculada Concepció @olgacardenal 11 Torre Blava 33 Els Colls i Miralpeix Espai Guinovart 23 Monument to Francesc Macià 34 Masia Casa del Mar 12 Baix-a-mar Park (manor)

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tion1 for nature and sports lovers. 11 Pas del Ca 24 . C. d’Eugeni d’Ors

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14 Beach surrounded by vineyards and Mediterranean forests. @dvrubio Discovering them is a pleasant experience for hiking and

@beaixavi8587 Punta Llarga dels Colls

mountain biking lovers. The highlights of the maritime Rambla del Port Port de Vilanova i la Geltrú landscape include the fine sandy beaches, the wetlands @yolandacg2014 Rambla del Port

of El Prat de Vilanova and Els Colls i Miralpeix, which @adri_seca 17 16 Mega are one of the main scenic bastions of El Garraf, nestled Yachts in fan palms and agaves. The fabulous surroundings of @ margaserra Port Trade 18 Port @olgalcardenal

the Mediterrani GR-92 path (the European E-10), on the Dic de Ponent stretch between Vilanova and Sitges, with cliffs and co- @montmarsol ves, will take your breath away. 19 To close the circle, the good weather of the typically Mediterranean climate allows you to enjoy a mild tem- perature with sunny days and comfort much of the year. @annamallofre.photos 78 I LAGELTRÚ OF VILANOVA HISTOGRAM 600 d.C. 200 a.C. 700 a.C. 3500 a 50 a.C. 50 a.C. 550 a S. XII 1340 1381 1274 S. X fortnight ofNovember annual fair duringthefirst Peter IIIauthorisesthe on thebeach and unloadingofgoods authorises theloading Peter IIItheCeremonious de Cubelles the Conqueror to Vilanova Carta Pobla from JamesI (future Vilanova deCubelles) jurisdiction ofCubelles Vila Nova underthe under feudal rule La Geltrúcastle walled commercial portinAdarró Roman villaand village inAdarró Cossetani Iberian First Iberiansettlements First humansettlements S. XVI 1599 1698 S. XV 1624 1759 1735 1579 1739 1687 for makinggrain alcohol The cityhad10pot stills of ElsJosepets) of Vilanova (church of DiscalcedCarmelites Foundation oftheConvent in theMarinadistrict Installation ofapot still to defend against corsairs Construction ofafrigate of St.Pere Pescador traditional festivals inhonour First documentation ofthe more streets andchurches Vilanova deCubelleswith Growth outside thewalls of Vilanova of part ofthewinemadein Philip IIauthorisestheexport in Catalonia of sailors andfishermen one ofthefirst guilds of SantElmiPere, Creation oftheBrotherhood Development ofLaGeltrú to Vilafranca thanks to thenew road shipped from Vilanova The winesofPenedès are

1768 1784 1778 previous year’s hailstorm Déu delesNeus due to the protection ofLaMare de The peopleinvoke the can adventure Vilanova beginsthe Ameri de withtheAmericasand Charles IIIdecrees free tra city Vilanova ilaGeltrú Royal Decree to namethe - - 1787 1850 1835 is founded and theDiarideVilanova textile citiesinCatalonia Vilanova ranks third among incursions cations to protect Carlist inhabitants First census,with6,161 Construction ofnew fortifi

Autor: Joan i Ramon Bellmunt - @acgarraf 1855 1860 1896 1898 1886 1866 1893 1884 1876 1901 1881 1861 Phylloxera pests invineyards fishermen losetheirlives 10 boats sinkand22 disaster atseainwhich ‘Year oftheDrowned’, a Museumopens Library The Víctor Balaguer of theBancdeVilanova railway lineandfoundation Valls-Vilanova-Barcelona Inauguration ofthe Marina district connection withthe Eixample Gumàimproved lighthouse inSantCristòfol Opening ofthefirs fountains are built city andmonumental The water reaches the Judicial District Court andHeadofthe Creation oftheCounty streets withgas The citylights upits industrial production and the diversification of Arrival ofthe Pirelli factory who got richin Cuba Xica andthetimeofthose colonies, theendofHavana Loss oftheAmerican

2002 2004 1990 2015 1993 2019 1929 1932 1949 1957 1976 1981 Macià restores andpresi Vilanova native Francesc Foix reservoir Opening ofthe of Catalonia certification Marine Districs andVillages certification of Catalonia (Family beach) Family HolidayDestination Opening ofEspai Far Neàpolis building Opening ofthe of Vilanova ilaGeltrú Nautical Station Roges beach Òscar Estruga, onRibes Pasífae [‘Pasiphae’], by Location ofthesculpture Railway Museum Opening oftheCatalonia Popular Tradicional (FIMPT) Internacional deMúsica First editionoftheFestival Vilanova ilaGeltrú Recovery ofCarnival in Baix-a-mar neighbourhood Vilanova withthe The Ramblaunites fishing portofVilanova Construction ofthe of Catalonia (Generalitat) des over theGovernment - 76 defended thecoast from pirate attacks. there was18th century anoldfort that at thefoot ofXalet delNin,where inthe months, becauseitisprotected by the hill, cessible. Itisidealduringthecoldwinter This beach is narrower and quickly ac- La República other IberianvillagesinPenedès. were exported from there andalsofrom years2,500 ago,oil,wineandceramics wetlands thatserved asits port.More than Gervasi hillandits surroundings, onsome man town that stood on theTuró de Sant This beachowes its nameto theIbero-Ro Adarró - @canojosepfoto @voleivilanova on thesamebeach. for theseafood oftherestaurant located where Xalet delNinremains. Itisknown named after theTuró deSantGervasi hill, This beachisalsocalledElsCapellans, Sant Gervasi in themorning. usually there onTuesdays andThursdays atnine the body’senergy lines.Ifyou dare to join, they are is basedon12movements thathelpto channel on LaRepúblicabeach to practice qigong,which Take note... photographed. i la Geltrú and one of the most commonly has becomeoneoftheiconsVilanova notaur. Madewiththree tons ofbronze, it the Greek myth ofthe originofthemi phae’], by ÒscarEstruga, of isanallegory The majestic sculpture ofPasífae [‘Pasi Did you know that...?

Dozens ofpeoplegather - -

vasi beachcanbe used. have thoseonSantGer- beachservices, can practice nudism.Although itdoesnot Santa Llúcia,isa nudist beachwhere you The first beach,next to thecornerof beach andLlarga beach. pristine beaches are located: L’Aiguadolç wetland landscapeandiswhere themost and Cubellesisreminiscent of theold coastline that opens between Vilanova From theTuró deSantGervasi hill,the L’Aiguadolç

@ margaserra lles, thelast cityontheBarcelona Coast. a bike and jogging. Itconnects withCube- Its attractive boardwalk isgreat for riding integrated into a residential environment. This is the southernmost beach and is Ibersol Llarga is common. areas ontheBarcelona Coast. Nudism river delta. Itisoneofthefew natural lands andcoastal dunesintheFoix Vilanova, ispart ofanoldarea ofwet Llarga beach,alsoknown asElPrat de 77 -

@gerardfigueras82 @julia_barcelona_online I LAGELTRÚ OF VILANOVA HISTOGRAM 600 d.C. 200 a.C. 700 a.C. 3500 a 50 a.C. 50 a.C. 550 a S. XII 1340 1381 1274 S. X fortnight ofNovember annual fair duringthefirst Peter IIIauthorisesthe on thebeach and unloadingofgoods authorises theloading Peter IIItheCeremonious de Cubelles the Conqueror to Vilanova Carta Pobla from JamesI (future Vilanova deCubelles) jurisdiction ofCubelles Vila Nova underthe under feudal rule La Geltrúcastle walled commercial portinAdarró Roman villaand village inAdarró Cossetani Iberian First Iberiansettlements First humansettlements S. XVI 1599 1698 S. XV 1624 1759 1735 1579 1739 1687 in theMarinadistrict Installation ofapot still to defend against corsairs Construction ofafrigate of St.Pere Pescador traditional festivals inhonour First documentation ofthe more streets andchurches Vilanova deCubelleswith Growth outside thewalls of Vilanova of part ofthewinemadein Philip IIauthorisestheexport in Catalonia of sailors andfishermen one ofthefirst guilds of SantElmiPere, Creation oftheBrotherhood Development ofLaGeltrú for makinggrain alcohol The cityhad10pot stills of ElsJosepets) of Vilanova (church of DiscalcedCarmelites Foundation oftheConvent to Vilafranca thanks to thenew road shipped from Vilanova The winesofPenedès are

Dozens ofpeoplegather - -

@gerardfigueras82 @julia_barcelona_online AROUND VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ

Vilanova i la Geltrú, of the county of El Garraf, is quite attractive in itself, but the natural environment between the coastal mountains and the Me- diterranean Sea gives it an almost perfect balance, all with the help of the European Charter for Sus- tainable Tourism. That is why it is a great destination for nature and sports lovers.

The coastal plain of Vilanova i la Geltrú is surrounded by the green ring of the mountains of the three parks: Garraf, Foix and Olèrdola, where Montgròs (358 m), Pic de l’Àliga (464 m) and La Talaia (279 m) stand out. Around the city, you will also find imposing farmhouses connected by a wide variety of paths and backgrounds surrounded by vineyards and Mediterranean forests. Discovering them is a pleasant experience for hiking and mountain biking lovers. The highlights of the maritime landscape include the fine sandy beaches, the wetlands of El Prat de Vilanova and Els Colls i Miralpeix, which are one of the main scenic bastions of El Garraf, nestled in fan palms and agaves. The fabulous surroundings of the Mediterrani GR-92 path (the European E-10), on the stretch between Vilanova and Sitges, with cliffs and coves, will take your breath away. Did you know that...? If you rent a small boat without a license or a kayak, you will discover an excellent journey along the coast, where you will To close the circle, the good weather of the typically find coves with pebbles and sand, caves, peaks and Mediterranean climate allows you to enjoy a mild tem- cliffs. It is also a wonderful place for snorkelling. perature with sunny days and comfort much of the year. @annamallofre.photos 78 79 Els Colls i Miralpeix The stunning Mediterrani GR-92 path between Vilanova and Sitges is known as Camí dels Colls i Miralpeix.

There are two distinct sides to El Colls. By the sea, the area is very stony and dry, with vegetation ranging from bushes to pine forests. You will also find the fan palm, the @rosamaria_ferrer only palm native to Europe, which is one of the distinguishing features of the Garraf Massif. The views of the sea, the deserted coves and the crystal-clear waters put the area on the same level as the most paradisiacal places. The most popular of the many coves is Platja de l’Home Mort, between Punta de la Desenrocada and Punta de les Coves. Cala Xica and Cala dels Gegants are much more intimate.

Inland, the landscape is transformed into @miquelpulido_ dense forests, with shadows that contrast with the seaside vegetation. In addition to to the edge of the cliffs and coves, and is the small paths that form the backbo- only suitable for walking. The other route, ne of Els Colls i Miralpeix, there are two the main one, is the forest track that cros- main routes for the GR-92. Both options ses the heart of the area. This path is wide are good, but the most spectacular is the and has recently been adapted for moun- path that goes along the coast, by the sea, tain bike lovers. The great beauty of this area is also worth seeing from the sea.

Did you know that... Above the Cova dels Bufadors, you can see water springing up through the holes in the rocks. When the sea is raging, it is spectacular to see them whistle, blow and spit water. You Take note... Learn about the different have to be careful when walking through this routes with all kinds of details and all the paths area so as not to fall through these holes. surrounding Vilanova i la Geltrú at the website

@kitus_martinez estacioesportivavilanovailageltru.cat. 80 81 La Masia d’en Cabanyes Vida Festival This house-museum where the romantic This independent international poet Manuel de Cabanyes lived has been music festival lasts four days in declared a Cultural Asset of National early July, in the incomparable se- Interest by the Government of Catalo- tting of La Masia d’en Cabanyes. nia (Generalitat). It currently houses the Leading international artists such Centre d’Interpretació del Romanticisme, as Lana del Rey, Rosalía and Franz where you can discover how a well-to- Ferdinand have performed here. do family lived in a bucolic setting, learn about their family legacy with original This festival alone is already a 19th-century rooms and admire the ob- good reason to visit the city. Unli- jects and decor of the time. The different ke other festivals, Vida connects collections include one devoted to Goya. you perfectly to the natural space, without crowds and where

La Masia d’en Cabanyes also has a large @masiacabanyes room for rental that is perfect for cultural you are sure to find your space, and leisure activities, as well as ceremo- no matter how old you are or if nies, banquets and celebrations. The cemetery you come with the kids. A guided tour through the cemetery will bring you closer to the history of the city Did you know that...? La Ma- sia d’en Cabanyes has a picnic area and a pu- and its key figures, such as the Romantic blic grove with barbecue grills, tables, foun- poet Manuel de Cabanyes, the politician, tains and public toilets, making it ideal for writer and great man Víctor Balaguer, small celebrations with family and friends. the impressionist painter Joaquim Mir Please ask about the opening hours. and many others. The tour also reviews the curiosities, hidden stories and artistic importance of mausoleums. The tomb La Masia d’en Frederic of Víctor Balaguer stands out, one of the most beautiful, rich, original and symbolic La Masia d’en Frederic dates back to the funerary elements of Catalan Modernis-

18th century and houses the Associació me, included in the ASCE route. Balaguer’s @ignaky dels Tres Tombs. Here you can see the sta- passion for architectural symbolism and bles and some of the carts that participate devotion to freemasonry are evident in his in Festa de Sant Antoni Abat, the most bri- tomb. The monumental mausoleum of the Check it out! Very close to La Masia lliant in Catalonia (see p. 22) with Vilanova d’en Cabanyes, you can find the emblematic Pi Gros, Ortoll family is worthy to be admired in an the largest tree in the county. It is between 250 and i la Geltrú’s popular Tres Tombs. They also ample and landscaped space. 300 years old, it stands 19 metres tall and its trunk offer full-service lunches. @xavisocias measures more than four metres in diameter. 82 83 Natural parks Foix Park

Very close to Vilanova i la Geltrú, you can ex- Foix Park is located between the counties plore the three parks surrounding it: Garraf, of Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès and El Garraf. Foix and Olèrdola. It has a great variety of ecological environ- ments that formed around the Foix reservoir, This is very varied territory with changing one of the few wetlands in Penedès, such as and surprising flora, fauna and orography, the rich architectural and historical heritage such as its bottoms and ridges, which are structured around the castles of Penyafort rich in groundwater. If you like nature, from and Castellet. Vilanova you can take walks to Mas de l’Ar- tís, the bottom of Les Oliveres, El Balcó or El Pla de les Palmeres, or you can climb to La Talaia, where you will discover farmhouses, dry stone huts and old vine beds.

Garraf Park

The Garraf Massif is located in the Ga- rraf-Ordal mountain range. It is a unique space that has particular colours and forms of relief that make it a host to natural sys- tems of great value and of special geologi- cal, biological and scenic interest.

The karstic apparatus, which is nearly @pericu16 unique in Catalonia, gives it an exotic look with around 400 subterranean cavities. The many caves and chasms include La Olèrdola Park Falconera, a vast cave with a large underground lake. A landscape of crops, groves, scrub and fan pal- @carlesgguinda Did you know that...? Olèrdola ms, Olèrdola is a natural vantage point crowned is also the cradle of Penedès. In the 11th cen- by a monumental complex that was a strategic tury, Mir Geribert led an anti-feudal peasant re- enclave as far back as the Bronze Age and is volt and proclaimed himself prince of Olèrdola. Take note... If you want to get started Take note... In Garraf Park, the Palau still enclosed by a wall, the successive work of The population that was concentrated there with Pitch&Putt, you can also enjoy sports and Novella stands out, also called the Garraf Monas- Iberian, Roman and mediaeval populations. At went down to the plain until the territory that nature in a quiet environment with unbeatable tery. Buddhist monks will accompany you on the we know today was formed, but the core of the sea views. El Portal el Roc, with 18 holes, is lo- guided tour and you can learn about their ancient the top, we find the church of Sant Miquel. The vantage point was depopulated. cated at the foot of the Pic de l’Àliga and close to philosophy, a tradition thousands of years old. main body is from the 12th century. Càmping Vilanova Park. 84 85 N-340 Sant AROUND Vilafranca Sadurní d’Anoia del Penedés BV-1415 VILANOVA BV-2411 I LA GELTRÚ

Railway line R4 Sant Miquel d’Olèrdola C-15 BV-2111 Olèrdola Park Olivella Garraf Park BV-2117 Pic de l’Àliga Garraf C-158 N-340 Foix Park Canyelles Buddhist Monastery

BV-2111 BV-2111

Castellet C-15z El Montgrós Sant Pere L’Arboç GR-92 C-15 de Ribes GR-92 C-32 Garraf C-31 Foix Reservoir La Talaia C-32 C-31 C-32 C-32 BV-2115 C-15 Garraf Slopes

Railway line R2 C-31 Masia C-246a C-31 Cabanyes P&P Portal Sitges del Roc Cementery Terramar Golf Club

GR-92 C-246a Els Colls i Miralpeix C-31 Natural Area Railway line R2 C-32 GR-92.5 MEDITERRANEAN SEA C-31 Cubelles Foix Mouth Cunit Costa Barcelona GR-92.5 Calafell Costa Daurada

86 87 NEAR Up to 30’ VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ @sitgesturisme @penedesturisme @laclassicadelfoix

The matchless geographical location Sitges. A tourist destination Castellet. Its imposing me- Penedès. You are in a land of par excellence, Sitges nestles in a diaeval castle and the Foix reser- wine, in the heart of the sparkling of Vilanova i la Geltrú allows you to beautiful environment around the voir are picture perfect. This is a wine of Catalonia. Experience the travel without having to go long dis- church with picturesque streets great getaway in the middle of a endless wine tourism opportunities with an intense nightlife and plenty wonderful natural setting. of the wineries of the Penedès De- tances. It is just 30 minutes from of cultural and shopping options. signation of Origin. Barcelona and Tarragona, eight kilometres from Sitges, next to Pene- Up to 45’ dès and its renowned vineyards and Barcelona. Nearby, you have wineries, and with the mountains of one of the most beautiful and visited cities in the Mediterranean, Montserrat in the background. the capital of Catalonia, with huge landmarks such as Gaudí’s work, The large number of sites of tourist the Gothic Quarter and the Rambla. interest within a few minutes makes Vilanova i la Geltrú a strategic place Tarragona. A city with im- to get to know the surroundings while pressive Roman remains that was still enjoying the unique destination. the Roman Empire’s capital of Hispania Citerior, declared a World @basilicasagradafamilia Heritage Site. @tarragonaturisme Below are some suggestions for ge- taways nearby. Up to 60’ @larutadelcister @abadiamontserrat @portaventuraoficial Every 10 Did you know that...? The Cistercian Route. Montserrat. Spiritual centre Port Aventura World. minutes, you can catch a train that will drop The Cistercian monasteries of Po- of the country, with the sanctuary of One of the most important family you off in 45 minutes at Barcelona city sta- blet, Santes Creus and Vallbona de the Virgin of Montserrat. From the ca- recreational destinations, with a tions. If you prefer, you can also take the bus. les Monges offer a great wealth of ble car you can see the great beauty full range of theme parks, shows heritage and landscape. of this natural environment. and attractions all year round. @visitbarcelona 88 89 NEAR VILANOVA Tarragona Barcelona I LA GELTRÚ Montserrat A-2 Abbey Igualada

Claramunt Castle Capellades Cava Vallbona de le Monges Interpretation Paper AP-7 Monastery Cisternian Mill Museum Center A-2 Route C-15 Espai Xocolata Sant Sadurní Simon Coll DO VINSEUM d’Anoia AP-2 Santes Creus Wine Culture Railway Line R4 Montblanc Monastery Penedès Museum N-340 BARCELONA Poblet Vilafranca Monastery del Penedès C-31 Llobregat C-32 Delta Valls AP-2 Railway Line R4 C-15 Maricel Palace Railway Line R2 Cau Ferrat Museum Castelldefels Aqualeón El Vendrell N-340 C-32 Garraf C-31 Camp de Iberian Pau Casals Ciutadella Sitges Tarragona Railway Line R13 Museum VILANOVA Altafulla AP-7 Railway Line R2 Calafell I LA GELTRÚ Reus Torredembarra TARRAGONA N-340 MEDITERRANEAN SEA AP-7 Salou Cambrils Port Costa Daurada Aventura Costa Barcelona

90 91 SEE YOU SOON

Vilanova i la Geltrú has a lot to choose from. We hope that this guide has helped you to discover the uniqueness of the town of La Geltrú, the authenticity of the city of Vilanova and the beauty of the beach of Baix-a-mar.

If you’ve been caught in the cosy squares, capti- vated by the romantic museums, thrilled by the traditional festivities or surprised by the genuine festivals, it’s because you’ve found the pulse of the city.

If you liked the atmosphere of the terraces, you enjoyed the genuine food and drink, if you were enthusiastic about the shopping opportunities, if you relaxed on the quiet beaches and fell in love with the sunsets, you have enjoyed Vilanova i la Geltrú in its original version.

We hope you enjoy it and come back soon! @mvidalamoros 92 “Vilanova i la Geltrú in its original version” / D.L. B 10298-2021 @habiibii.shoots # @ VilanovaTurisme VilanovaTurisme www.vilanovaturisme.cat

Vilanova i la Geltrú en versió original CAT Vilanova ilaGeltrú En versió original