CATALONIA: the land of thousand faces.

[guille_89uy]

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia

[absalon]

molt maques!

[absalon]

Catalunya/Catalonha/Cataluña/Catalonia/La Catalogne/Catalunha/Katalonien/La Catalogna/Каталония/كتالونيا/卡塔龍尼亞

Sant Pere de Rodes. Girona

The Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes is an important former monastery in the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the North East of Catalonia.

History
The true origin of the monastery is not known, which has given rise to speculation and legend; such as its foundation by monks who disembarked in the area with the remains of Saint Peter and other saints, to save them from the Barbarian hordes that had fallen on Rome. Once the danger had passed the Pope Boniface IV commanded them to construct a monastery.

The first documentation of the existence of the monastery dates 878, it being mentioned as a simple monastery cell consecrated to Saint Peter, but it is not until 945 when an independent Benedictine monastery was founded, prevailed over by an abbot. Bound to the County of Empúries it reached its maximum splendor between the XI and XII centuries until its final decay in 17th century. Its increasing importance is reflected in its status as a point of pilgrimage.

In the 17th Century XVII it was sacked in several occasions and in 1793 was deserted by the benedictine community which was transferred to Vila-sacred and finally settled in Figueres in 1809 until it was dissolved.

The monastery was declared a national monument in 1930. In 1935 the Generalitat of Catalonia initiated the first restoration work.

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[WhiteMagick]

Catalunya is astonishing. The best trip I've ever had was my 4 days spent in Barcelona!

[absalon]

Catalunya/Catalonha/Cataluña/Catalonia/La Catalogne/Catalunha/Katalonien/La Catalogna/Каталония/كتالونيا/卡塔龍尼亞

El Port de la Bonaigua.

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[JoseRodolfo]

[Ricbit]

Magnificent!
I love so much Spain. My favorite country!!!

[viscAbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Ricbit

Magnificent!
I love so much Spain. My favorite country!!!

I think you wrote in the wrong thread, the spanish thread is here :P

I cannot stop looking at the last picture you posted Absalon, it's just so much perfect! it could be next Windows official desktop picture

[alacanti]

Gracias por las fotos. Son espectaculares y hacen justicia a lo que és Catalunya.

[Viva_Bulgaria]

Originally Posted by viscAbarcelona

I think you wrote in the wrong thread, the spanish thread is here :P

I cannot stop looking at the last picture you posted Absalon, it's just so much perfect! it could be next Windows official desktop picture

Since Catalonia is part of Spain and he admires the beauty of Catalonia, I don't see what is the problem of a person saying his sympathy for Spain.

Catalonia is a wonderful region of Spain which is my favourite country as well.

Artiga de Lin
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[absalon]

Catalunya/Catalonha/Cataluña/Catalonia/La Catalogne/Catalunha/Katalonien/La Catalogna/Каталония/كتالونيا/卡塔龍尼亞

Moltes gràcies a Joanot, usuari de FLICKR, per les seves magnífiques fotos i per la seva col·laboració!
Thanks to Joanot, user of FLICKR.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanot/

Tarragona i Altafulla

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[guille_89uy]

Originally Posted by Viva_Bulgaria

Since Catalonia is part of Spain and he admires the beauty of Catalonia, I don't see what is the problem of a person saying his sympathy for Spain.

Catalonia is a wonderful region of Spain which is my favourite country as well.

Catalonia is more than just a "region". Respect our national feeling, please, this is not the spanish thread...

[buho]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

This is a very beautiful thread. Let us all keep it free of politicization and enjoy the wonderful photos, or it will be locked again.
Thank you!

[Arpels]

beautiful Sant Pere de Rodes by the scenary, and art too

[guille_89uy]

Barcelona!

[Spike88bcn]

The two skyline photos are amazing!!! Thanks Guille! I have to visit too much beautiful towns in my country, Catalonia. And I think I will return to Altafulla someday.

[buho]

I would thank the name of the places, because I don't know some of them... Hospital de Sant Pau?

[guille_89uy]

Yes, Hospital de Sant Pau.

[absalon]

GUILLE_89UY ! Molt bones fotos! Gràcies per la teva aportació... ja saps que aquest fil és teu per penjar les fotos o reportatges que vulguis! SALUT!

[absalon]

Catalunya/Catalonha/Cataluña/Catalonia/La Catalogne/Catalunha/Katalonien/La Catalogna/Каталония/كتالونيا/卡塔龍尼亞

CAP DE CREUS

Cap de Creus (Cape of crosses in Catalan) is located at the far NE of Catalonia, some 25 km south from the French border. The nearest town is Figueres, capital of the Alt Empordà and birthplace of Salvador Dalí. It is a peninsula of 190 square kilometres of an extraordinary landscape value; a very rocky dry region, with almost no trees, in contrast with a seaside rich in minuscule creeks of deep blue sea to anchor. Mountains are the last eminences of the Pyrenees which make the natural border between France and Catalonia. The region is frequently swept by awful north wind "tramontana" (beyond mountains) which has caused many naval disasters. Cadaqués is the most well known village, home of artists and writers, with sophisticated atmosphere, near Port Lligat where Dalí built his home in a paradise small bay. El Port de la Selva, with a little fishing harbour is less exploited, with good gastronomic recourses and pleasant terraces. Fantastic Sant Pere de Rodes stands out at 500 m of altitude with spectacular views of the Cap and the Pyrenees. It is a 11th century monastery whose first structures date from about 750 AD. It is a magnificent building in Catalan roman style with imposing dimensions and some pre-Romanic painting rests.

Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of mainland Catalonia. The legend tells that the Cap de Creus was made by Hercules.



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