Culture of Costa Brava. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

When planning sightseeing tours, you should definitely pay an attention to each city of the coast. You can be sure that trip around each of them would bring a lot of unforgettable experiences. Lloret de Mar is known as a center of entertainment and recreational activities. This modern city has a vibrant cultural attraction - the Verdaguer center. This is a huge museum that holds artifacts of ancient period. Among exhibits there are important historical artifacts, findings of local archaeologists and objects of art. Verdaguer tour of the center would be interesting to all fans of antiquity.

The symbol of Tossa de Mar town is Villa Vella fortress, whose name literally translates as ‘an old town.’ This is a set of powerful fortifications constructed back in the 12th century. Construction was intended to defend the town from pirates. A huge number of museums were opened In Tossa de Mar, the most interesting among them are Sea Museum and Historical Museum.

The first of them is settled in an old lighthouse. After excursion around the Sea Museum exhibits visitors can climb to the observation deck and appreciate the beauty of the coast. Several old churches were preserved in the city. They are also worth to visit. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Lots of interesting historical landmarks are situated in the town of Blanes and its surroundings. Tourists have to see the beautiful Church of Santa Maria that was founded in the 14th century and the ruins of Sant Joan Castle, which has protected the ancient city in the 10th century. In Blanes there is the famous botanical garden of legendary beauty. The botanical garden is the first in Europe when it comes to an abundance of exotic plants and fragrant flowers. It is decorated in original style.

Travelers, who want to relax in a calm and relaxed atmosphere, have to visit the town of Playa de Aro, which is located on the north coast. Here you can stroll through the picturesque streets, parks and squares. The town has several attractive galleries and typical national markets. Costa Brava is famous for its nature reserves; it is a paradise for fans of ecological tourism. Cap de Creus, Aygumalos de l'Empordà and Medas island reserve are considered the most famous natural parks.

No less striking with its picturesque views is Jardi Botanic de Cap Roig that can be found in Calella de Palafrugell. The garden is located in a hilly area and its main decoration is beautiful cacti (many of which are flowering). In addition, it offers magnificent views of the surrounding areas. The garden accommodates a medieval castle, which attracts all fans of architecture and gives the area an extraordinary picturesqueness. This green oasis was created by Nikolay Voevodsky and his wife Dorothy Webster who wished to build a mansion on the shore of the picturesque Costa Brava and planted a small garden around it. Suddenly even for them, it has grown bigger than expected, which today pleases hundreds of tourists. One more picturesque place in the region that one cannot pass by is Jardin Botanico Marimurtra.

Girona has equally interesting museums, among which it is worth highlighting the Museu del Cinema with its interactive exhibits, one way or another related to the cinema (about twenty thousand pcs in total). In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are temporary ones, aimed at educating visitors on cinema. The Museu d'Història dels Jueus demonstrates the life of the Jewish people in a Spanish city that hasn't always been sweet. And archeology and history buffs will be happy to visit the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya, which has gathered a magnificent collection of artifacts that were found during excavations throughout the Costa Brava.

Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí, which can be found in Cadaqués, is of great interest to those who are fond of the great surrealistic artist's work. The house in which he lived is now converted into a museum that shows the life of Dali during his stay in the Costa Brava. It is worth noting that the house is as intricate as all his paintings, matching the character of the most famous surrealist. One more cultural institution is dedicated to Salvador - namely, Teatre-Museu Dalí. Here, in Figueres, you can find original works by the artist.

Of great architectural value is Casa Masó, the finest among the many colorful houses of Girona's waterfront. The historical and cultural significance of the building is equally great: the architect Rafael Masó i Valentí once lived here, and the house itself was converted into a museum of life in the early 20th century. Catedral de Girona, the city's main cathedral, can be immediately recognized by its outlines: This magnificent building shows tourists the way, the final point of which is the shrine itself. Rich history, gorgeous exterior and interior - this is definitely a must-have.

Girona's interesting attraction is Pont de les Peixateries Velles built by Gustave Eiffel himself. The bridge is in perfect harmony with the streets of the city. It is very popular among travelers wishing to take a couple of beautiful photos. Among the unique museums, Casa de Los Gatos stands out. Located in Lloret de Mar, it presents an excellent collection of works of art related to cute fluffy cats. These include paintings, figurines, sculptures, and toys. While in Lloret de Mar, be sure to visit another amazing place - Jardines de Santa Clotilde designed by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí. The architect, in turn, focused on the Renaissance style and did a fantastic job - the garden is a wonderful example of landscape design in this style.