Costa de Barcelona-Maresme

Catalonia

Maresme Coast
Maresme is the present name of the Catalan coastal region which was formerly known as Costa de Llevant or, popularly, Marina. It is a closeknit geographical and economic unit, comprising a strip of land which attains a length of 50 km between its two furthest points: Montgat, the first town up the coast from the Barcelona metropolitan area, and the mouth of the Tordera river. A minimum of 5 km and a maximum of 15 km separate the Coastal Range, which forms the western boundary, from the sea. Thanks to its orientation and the shelter of the hills, Maresme has a pleasant Mediterranean climate and enjoys sunny weather and clear blue skies approximately 75% of the days of the year. The balance between sea, plain and uplands have endowed it with gentle, serene landscapes and abundant moisture. Pine groves and holm oak woods cover large stretches of the uplands and areas of market gardens alternate with cereal crops. The Coastal Range, which comprises the hills of Sant Mateu, El Corredor and the rugged, tree-clad Montnegre (795 m), offers much fine scenery. The hills are situated so close to the towns along the coast that two or three times a year serious problems occur when heavy rains fall on the uplands and water rushes down the dry river beds (rieres or rambles). Archeological remains from ancient cultures bear witness to Maresmes important historical background. The Via Augusta once ran through the area, as is shown by the Roman milestone discovered at Vilassar. The oldest documents have been found in places far removed from the sea which were settled during the 10th and 11th C. and later gave rise to the seafaring districts which ultimately became independent boroughs. Watchtowers and fortifications, some of which can still be seen, were built during the 16th and 17th C. to afford protection against raids by pirates from the Barbary Coast. Churches and castles provide evidence of an active
Hills of El corredor with the Montnegre in the background Landscape near Canyamars

medieval period. However the factors which contributed most decisively to the development of Maresme were the growth of navigation and subsequently of trade with the American colonies to which the seafaring towns contributed distinguished shipbuilders, owners and captains and, later, the building of Spains first railway. The Catalan sailing fleet reached its heyday between 1830 and 1875. From the beginning of the 20th C., industrial activity, particularly in the textile sector, gradually expanded, while agriculture, after overcoming its initial difficulties, obtained markets for its output (mainly wine and horticultural produce). The fishing fleet is now concentrated in the harbour of Arenys de Mar, where industries related to shipping are still in operation today. Thanks to its traditionally close links with Barcelona, the ease of tranport and the mild climate, Maresme became a residential and tourist zone long before other parts of the Catalan coast. Proof of this is provided by the buildings in turn-ofthe-century style which can still be admired there. Wide beaches of coarse sand alternate with smaller ones along the whole length of the coast, providing opportunities for all types of nautical sports. The various towns offer pleasant settings, good food and high quality tourist facilities. The main areas of influence are situated around coastal towns such as El Masnou, Vilassar de Mar, Matar, Arenys de Mar and Calella, and others lying farther inland like Alella, Argentona, and Tordera. Though the greater part of the hotel accommodation is situated in the northern part of the region, between Calella and Malgrat, all these localities have made it possible for tourism to act as the driving force behind more balanced growth by stimulating other sectors of the economy.

Vilassar Castle with Burriac in the background

From Montgat to Alella

Montgat, the first seaside borough at the Barcelona end of Maresme, lies at the foot of the hills which separate it from the Barcelona plain. One of these is Montgat hill, through which the first railway tunnel in Spain was built. An industrial town, residential area and summer holiday resort at one and the same time, it grew up from the small fishing village clustering round the tower of Ca nAlzina (16-17th C.) which still stands overlooking the sea. At the eastern end the summer holiday district of Montsols faces out over the beach, which has recently been widened and resanded. Beside the farmhouse of Can Ribes, on the road to Tiana, is the small 11th C. Romanesque church of Sant Mart, which has been restored. The same quiet road brings us to Tiana, a delightfully peaceful and well laid out little town, which stands at an altitude of 136 m in a small valley sheltered by hills from the west winds. The late-Gothic church of Mare de Du de lAlegria, with its single nave, polygonal apse and square belltower, was the heart of the old village. The 15th C. charterhouse of Santa Maria de Montalegre where the religious life of the Carthusian community still goes on stands amid greenery in the silence of the hilltop. It comprises various buildings the most noteworthy being the inn, the chapterhouse, and the Gothic church and cloister and can be visited. At Can Sent-rom, which was the result of the transformation of another Gothic building (15-16th C.) lying at the foot of Montalegre, extensive excavations are being carried out in the basement and surrounding area on several Roman villas built one over the other. A road leads from Tiana over the Montalegre pass to the neighbouring region of Valls. Besides being a residential area and summer holiday resort, the borough has a thriving agriculture, producing mainly flowers and ornamental plants. After returning to the coast road, we make another detour to visit Alella which, like other inland towns
Charterhouse of Santa Maria de Montalegre

in Maresme, lies at the foot of the hills. The sunny climate offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of excellent vines. The white wines of Alella, which are protected by the appelation dorigine on their labels, enjoy a high reputation, as do the reds and ross. Cava sparkling wines are another quality local product. Alella is also a holiday resort and residential area. One of its most illustrious summer visitors, Antoni Gaud, drew up plans for a chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, which were never carried out. A drawing of a figure of Christ which was part of these plans is preserved in the church of Sant Feliu. Of the original Romanesque church, only the bottom of the square belltower has survived. The building was altered in the 14-16th C. and now has a Renaissance faade. In the area are several handsome manor farmhouses such as Cal Bar (14th C.), with its round tower, or Can Lleonard (17-18th C.), which has sgraffiti on the faade. Also well worth visiting is the building belonging to the vine growers Cooperative (Cooperativa Vincola), the work of the Modernist (Art Nouveau) architect Jeroni Martorell.

Alella. Cooperativa Vincola

Around El Masnou
Back on the coast, we make a stop at El Masnou, formerly one of Catalonias most outstanding seafaring towns, which still displays considerable vitality. The layout is long and narrow and its quiet, steep streets, built to the measure of man, are overshadowed by the church of Sant Pere (18th C.). Improved transport facilities have turned it into a permanent residential area, though it still welcomes numerous tourists and summer holidaymakers. In olden days, El Masnou had one of the proudest sailing traditions in Maresme, producing captains who travelled the world over. Along the seafront, facing the beach, are the late Neoclassical style town hall (Casa de la Vila) and the Casino del Masnou, while a number of typical dwellings from the last century still stand in the quiet of the Old Quarter. Museu Municipal de nutica houses valuable collections devoted to archeology, sailing, and Catalan ceramics. In various parts of the town, distinctive Modernist style buildings, such as Casa Benfica by Gaiet Bugas, and old farmhouses like Cal Teixidor (17th C.) or Ca lAntic (16th C.), can be admired. The Cus Laboratories have set up an interesting Museu de Farmcia i Medicina, containing a fine collection of ceramics from all over Spain, medical engravings and a specialized library. Visitors can stroll along the seafront promenade overlooking the beach as far as the extremely well-equipped marina, which will shortly be enlarged, or appreciate top-quality seaside cooking in nearby restaurants. Heading back towards the hills, we travel up the road to the fertile Tei valley, lying at an altitude of 121 m at the foot of the range. Life in Tei goes on at the leisurely pace typical of the countryside. In the centre stands the 16th C. church of Sant Mart, which is late Gothic in style with a Renaissance doorway and a square belltower. Tei is both a residential and an agricultural town, and the wine it produces bears the Alella label. The new residential
El Masnou. Marina

developments stand in contrast to the interesting manor farmhouses such as Can Barrera, which dates back to the 14th C., or the 16th C. Can Torrent. After returning to El Masnou, we carry on to Premi de Mar, a prosperous town whose 19th C. seafaring tradition has been replaced by numerous nursery gardens producing cut flowers and plants and some industry. The chief feature of this residential town and summer holiday resort is the church of Sant Cristfol (18th C.), built in the shape of a Latin cross with an octagonal belltower and a Baroque porch decorated with seafaring motifs. The former manor of Can Manent (17th C.) houses a municipal library. The Museu de lEstampaci, a museum dedicated to printing on textiles, is located in the old gas factory, built in a modernist and neoclassical style and since restored. The building also holds archaeological pieces and items from popular ethnology. In the seafront area and on the promenade are many restaurants overlooking the beach where the marina and Club Nutic de Premi are situated. We now head for the inland town of Premi de Dalt, lying in a sheltered spot below the Sant Mateu range, under clear blue skies which contrast with the dark green pine woods of the nearby hills. Many residential developments and second homes are located here, though market and nursery gardens continue to ply their trade. Near the Premi river is the late Gothic style 16th C. parish church of Sant Pere, which possesses a single nave with side chapels, a polygonal apse and a square belltower with gargoyles. A few 14-15th C. farmhouses remain in the district, such as Can Figueras and Can Moles, which is fortified with a tower. The chapel of Sant Mateu of Romanesque origin, perched 490 m above sea level on the highest point of the range, provides a splendid lookout point over the neighbouring region of Valls Oriental and the entire coastline. On the border between Premi and Vilassar de Dalt we can also visit the shrine of Mare de Du
Premi de Mar. Carnation-growing

de la Cisa, where a 15th C. Gothic statue of the Virgin is venerated. Devotion to this Madonna, who is believed to afford protection to these towns of lower Maresme, is very widespread.

Premi de Dalt. Chapel of Sant Mateu

From Vilassar de Mar to Burriac

During the19th C., in the age of sailing ships, Vilassar de Mar rivalled with El Masnou in producing distinguished shipbuilders and owners, as well as skilled captains and pilots, many of whom were trained at the Collegi Nutic Mercantil (College of Merchant Shipping). Though Vilassar today is a residential and summer holiday resort, the memory of its seafaring days still endures. The elegant and classical Passeig Martim, with its palm trees and gardens, runs in a straight line along the seafront, while on the coarse sand of the beach are the facilities of the Club Nutic de Vilassar. Relics from a more distant past are provided by the old Roman milestone from the Via Augusta, which once stood on the municipal boundaries and is now kept in the entrance to the town hall, and the 15th C. tower of Can Nadal which stands as a reminder of past dangers. Some of the first nursery gardens in the area were set up in Vilassar de Mar, where carnationgrowing began in 1923. Nowadays the town is one of the leading producers of ornamental flowers and plants in the whole of Spain and the Mercat de Flor i Planta Ornamental de Catalunya where they are sold is of considerable importance. From here we climb the road to the highly distinctive town of Vilassar de Dalt, where the steep, narrow streets of the old quarter have preserved certain medieval features. Here too we can admire Vilassar Castle, a proud building with a 12th C. round tower which was enlarged right up to the 16th C. and has been declared a historical and architectural monument. In the area of Can Bosquet, in the northern part of the town, are some important prehistoric sites: a megalithic tomb, the Roca den Toni, the burial chambers of the Cova den Pau, and the remains of an Iberian settlement on the Tur den Rumpons. Our next stop is at neighbouring Cabrils. This small, quiet residential
Vilassar de Dalt. La Roca den Toni

town is situated in a valley 146 m above sea level, encircled by the En Cirers and Montcabrer hills, among verdant woods of pines and holm oaks. Cabrils is primarily agricultural and residential in character, with a considerable number of housing developments. Near the district of El Sant Crist, close to Vilassar, we can admire the fine pre-Romanesque church of Sant Cristfol, with a rectangular nave, square apse and semcircular arch over the doorway. Part of the building dates from before the 8th C. From Cabrils we go on to Cabrera de Mar, set amid pine groves and fields which, though maintaining its agricultural and industrial activities, is now primarily a summer resort with many second homes. The predominant feature of Cabrera is the late Gothic style church of Sant Feliu (16th C.). Some distance from the town is the beach, which is over 2 km long. The circular tower of Burriac Castle (12-15th C.), the ruins of which can still be seen on the top of a hill 400 m high, has become an essential part of the image of the town. Also of interest are the remains of an Iberian settlement and an ancient burial ground for cremated remains situated in the grounds of Can Rodon de lHort. In the hamlet of Agell de Dalt, which is also part of the borough, we can admire the late Gothic church of Santa Helena (16th C.) and the remains of a Roman temple located at Can Modolell before going on to Matar.

Cabrils. Church of Sant Cristfol

Matar, capital of Maresme

Lying close to the sea, in the heart of Maresme, is the regional capital Matar, a city with a past fraught with adventure whose constant growth can be attributed to the hard work of its 120,000 inhabitants and its good communications network. Most of the population is employed in industry, commerce or tourism, though there is still an important agricultural sector. The city stretches from the long Passeig Martim, close to the main road and overlooking the sea, to the large Parc Forestal on the northern side. The old quarter stands on the site of the 16th C. walled city, parts of which still survive. The area has great character and its focal point is the basilica of Santa Maria, originally built in the 15th C., with later alterations and enlargements, mostly dating from the 18th C.. The most noteworthy features of the interior are the Baroque altar of El Roser, by the sculptors Antoni Riera and Llus Bonifa, and the chapel of Els Dolors, decorated with paintings by Antoni Viladomat, which is a prime example of Catalan Baroque art. On Plaa de lAjuntament is a fine 16th C. Renaissance building which now houses the Museu Comarcal del Maresme. Other 16th C. buildings include the chapel of Sant Sim, alongside the Valldeix river, and the farmhouse of Can Palauet, with its adjacent tower, which stands on the Argentona river. During the 17th C., the city grew rapidly both in population and extension. In the 18th C. it was granted the title of city, in recognition of the industriousness and spirit of enterprise of its inhabitants. It was at this period that the School of Pilots was founded (1781), reinforcing a seafaring vocation which had been developing for some considerable time in the form of shipbuilding and an incipient maritime trade. These activities resumed in the 19th C., after the Napoleonic invasion, but for Matar as for other nearby towns, the advent of the steam ship dealt a fatal blow to the sailing fleets. Two other
Matar. Casa Coll i Regs Matar. Marina Meeting of giants at Argentona

important events marked the history of the city in the 19th C.: the laying of the first railway track in Spain (1848) and the development of the textile industry. The two main thoroughfares in the city centre are the Riera and the Rambla, which are joined by Plaa de Santa Anna. Both are lively, bustling streets with numerous shops, both traditional and modern in style. On the linden tree-lined Riera stands the town hall, a 17th C. building which has undergone alterations. The 18th C. Baroque church of Santa Anna is located on the square of the same name, while on the continuation of the Rambla stands a replica of the old 16th C. monumental cross. Other interesting buildings are the Casa de les Caputxines (18th C.), with its spacious atrium, and Casa Coll i Regs in modernist style, by Puig i Cadafalch, open to the public. Valuable remains from the towns Roman past at which period it was known as Iluro are preserved in the archeological enclosure of Torre Lauder. Throughout Matar are numerous sports facilities and green spaces, foremost among them being the large Parc Central, where fairs and competitions are held. Festivals and fairs, comprising displays of local traditions and folklore, take place throughout the year. The wide Passeig Martim, with its palm trees and views of the beach and sea, is a pleasant place for a stroll and the restaurants in the area afford opportunities to try the local gastronomical specialities.The seafront offers good facilities and services and some sports organizations have their headquarters there. The marina, located towards the west, has become the largest in Maresme, with 1,100 moorings for pleasure craft, a fishing port, a dry dock with powerful cranes and a shopping area where restaurants and shops are to be opened. This new development, of prime importance for trade and tourism, is connected with the long promenade. Matar is connected with Argentona via the motorway that
Matar. Torre Llauder, archeological enclosure Matar. Torre Llauder, mosaics

runs from Matar to Granollers. First mentioned as far back as the 9th C., Matar is a traditional residential town with important industrial and agricultural sectors. It nestles in a pleasant countryside, amidst forests of holm oak and pine. Until 1965 a tram service linked it to Matar. Argentona owes its reputation to the medicinal and mineral waters which gave rise to the creation of spas from the middle of the 19th C. Its restaurants also enjoy well-deserved gastronomical fame. The town as a whole, clustering around the late Gothic 16th C. church of Sant Juli, has a noble, elegant appearance. A building on Plaa de lEsglsia houses the Museu del Cntir, where a collection of over 2,300 pitchers from many different places can be seen. The fortified farmhouse of Can Cabanyes (16th C.), which has Renaissance elements on the faade, is situated close to the river, while further to the south is the Romanesque church of Mare de Du del Viver. Towards the road to Cabrera de Mar stands Can Gar, a summer residence built in Modernist style by the architect Puig i Cadafalch. A number of Iberian and Roman archeological sites are to be found in the area (Tur de Matacabres, Can Pins, etc.).We now take the quiet, shady road that heads into the hills as far as the village of Orrius, situated in a small valley in the Coastal Range, 257 m above sea level. Though it is essentially an agricultural community, the number of residential properties and summer holiday homes is increasing. There are also several 15th C. farmhouses, as well as the late Gothic church of Sant Andreu, inside which is a small Romanesque chapel, a relic of the former church and now used as a baptistery. Continuing uphill to close to the boundary between Maresme and Valls Oriental, we come to the small Romanesque church of Sant Bartomeu de Cabanyes, which commands a splendid panorama over Valls and Maresme. Slightly further south, on the Cllecs heights, are some important Iberian archeological remains.
Matar. Chapel of Els Dolors, by A. Viladomat Dosrius. Shrine of El Corredor

Returning to the road into the Valls region, we turn off towards Dosrius, which is situated in the part of the Coastal Range which includes the El Corredor and El Far hills. The village, lying in a small, lonely valley, has a far-off, idyllic look about it. The forests of pines, oaks and holm oaks which cover most of the summit of El Corredor provided the wood for the ships built in the Maresme shipyards. The beauty of the countryside and the pleasant climate make Dosrius an ideal spot for summer holidaymakers. A distinctive feature is the 16th C. Gothic church of Sant Iscle i Santa Victria with its square belltower. At the easternmost end of the borough of Dosrius, at an altitude of 230 m, set among woods of pines and cork oaks, stands Canyamars, a village whose agricultural and residential vocation is revealed by scattered farmhouses and a few housing developments. Leaving Dosrius by the road to Llinars, we come to Sant Andreu del Far, a small, widely scattered village, featuring the spacious farmhouse of Can Guinard and the late Gothic 16th C. church of Sant Andreu. From here we go on to the 16th C. shrine of El Corredor, built on the highest point of the range, 632 m above sea level, amid spectacular surroundings. The shrine is in late Gothic style, with a ground plan in the shape of a Latin cross and a square belltower. Inside are a Plateresque style altarpiece and a much venerated statue of the Madonna, the Mare de Du del Socors.

rrius. Sant Bartomeu de Cabanyes Argentona. Can Cabanyes

From Sant Andreu de Llavaneres to Caldes dEstrac

Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, standing in the midst of a good farmland, has the appearance of a distinctly residential town and tourist resort. To the north is the former parish church of Sant Andreu (16th C.), surrounded by woods. The new parish church is Neoclassical in style. Some interesting Modernist buildings, the property of the first families who came to spend the summer here, can still be seen. From the hilly part of the borough, where there are still sizeable stretches of woodland, pleasant views can be had over the sea. In addition to an attractive beach, Sant Andreu has a recently enlarged the marina El Bals,where various competitions are held. There is also a golf course in a very beautiful setting. Overlooking the sea from an altitude of 142 m is Montalt hill, which gave its name to the neighbouring town of Sant Vicen de Montalt. A peaceful town set amid pine and holm oak forests, Sant Vicen grew up around the 16th C. church of Sant Vicen and has preserved its traditional layout with buildings dating from the 18th and 19th C. Among the noteworthy buildings and farmhouse to be found in the old quarter are Can Brunet, with its square tower, or the house known as La Mongia, which has a medieval tower. In the residential part of the seafront district there is a seafront promenade which is the continuation of Passeig dels Anglesos which starts in neighbouring town of Caldes dEstrac. Nowadays Sant Vicen is first and foremost a well-equipped tourist resort with a considerable number of residential developments and luxurious second homes and a golf course. Caldes dEstrac, or Caldetes, is a charming town situated close to the sea and surrounded by pine-clad hills. A pioneer of the tourist sector in Catalonia, it became a holiday resort at the end of the 19th C. It offers many top-rate facilities and a famous
Sant Andreu de Llavaneres. Golf course Caldes dEstrac

hot sering spa, situated at the foot of Caldes hill, where waters containing chlorate salts rise at 39o C. The town comprises two parts, one old (Vila Vella) and the other new (Vila Nova). The former spreads over Caldes hill and round about it are two old watchtowers, Torre Busquets and Torre Verda (16th C.) which, together with Torre dels Encantats (13th C.) in the borough of Arenys, provided protection against pirate raids. The centre of the Vila Nova dates back to the 18th century and it was here that the first summer holiday homes were built, Can Nadal, being the most famous. Two seafront promenades Passeig de Mar and Passeig dels Anglesos are located to the east and west of the centre respectively. It was here that the Catalan bourgeoisie, who from the first quarter of the last century began to spend the summers at Caldes, built their Modernist and Noucentist style mansions. A few of them still stand today, interspersed with the modern apartment blocks which have gradually replaced them. The elegant and pleasant promenade runs alongside the beach, which is protected by breakwaters. Caldes dEstrac has maintained its prestige thanks to the attentive services provided in its shops, restaurants and hotels.

Torre dels Encantats, between Caldes dEstrac and Arenys de Mar Sant Vicen de Montalt. Maritime district

Arenys de Mar
The entire history of Arenys de Mar revolves around the sea, from its origins as a seafaring village in the 14th C., when the first fishermens cottages were built, to the construction of the present marina and fishing port. Pirate raids were part of that history and account for the construction of ten watchtowers, two of which Torre dEn Llovet and Torre del Carrer Ample still stand. From the 16th C. onwards, Arenys de Mar enjoyed a flourishing maritime trade which gave rise to the building of shipyards and the foundation of a Nautical School in 1799. With the decline in overseas trade, agriculture and industrial development acquired new importance, though the fishing port remained active. By the beginning of the last century, Arenys de Mar was welcoming its first summer holidaymakers, who were later to be followed by tourists. Arenys de Mar is built on either side of the Rambla, the main street running alongside the river bed, which is also the focal point of local life.The parish church of Santa Maria (17th C.) has a Baroque faade and houses one of the most spectacular Catalan Baroque altarpieces, the work of the sculptor Pau Costa.The old-world atmosphere of some of the streets around the church remains alive in the simple architecture of the houses. We can walk up Cam de La Pietat to the top of the hill to visit the cemetery which became a legend in the works of the great Catalan poet, Salvador Espriu, under the name Cementiri de Sinera. It is a genuine seafarers cemetery, with handsome tombs by Modernist sculptors such as Llimona and Vallmitjana.The traditional market held every Saturday on the Rambla, the lively main shopping street, draws large crowds and fresh produce from land and sea is available daily from the Modernist-style covered market (Mercat Municipal) also situated on the Rambla.The Neoclassical building which formerly housed the Hospital Xifr and is now the home of the Museu Frederic Mars de la Punta,
Arenys de Mar. Port Arenys de Mar. Handmade lace Arenys de Mar. Historical Archive Fidel Fita Arenys de Mar. Baroque altarpiece of Santa Maria (18 th C.), detail

one of the best lace museums in Europe, is also of considerable interest. Key documents on the history of the borough and region are kept in the local archive,Historical Archive Fidel Fita. The construction of the port restored to Arenys de Mar all its former seafaring activities.Today it is the base for virtually the entire Maresme fishing fleet and also includes a marina. A popular fish auction is held on the quay and the Club Nutic organizes numerous competitive events.The shipbuilding industry has also been expanding in recent years with the construction of both pleasure craft and fishing vessels.The Passeig Martim stretches from the port to the broad eastern beach.The town has a reputation for fine eating, with seafood restaurants of all types popular and refined both in the town and on the port. Arenys de Mar has many excellent restaurants, both in the town itself and around the harbour. Specializing mostly in fish, they range from the homely to the elegant, and several enjoy well-deserved fame. On16 August Arenys de Mar celebrates its most ancient festival in honour of Saint Roc and the festivities are rounded off by the Dansa dArenys, a characteristic traditional dance. Further inland, 121 m above sea level, lies Arenys de Munt, in a very attractive setting of hills and woodland, at the foot of Collsacreu.The town stands along dry river bed, flanked by old plane trees.The main activities are agriculture and industry, though the Arenys de Munt also has a residential function and numerous housing developments containing holiday homes.The late Gothic style parish church of Sant Mart (16th C.) has an plain faade and a square tower and houses a valuable altarpiece by the Renaissance poet and painter Pere Seraf. 16th-17th C. farmhouses, such as Can Rosell and Can Mallol de la Torre, which has a tower, are to be found in various parts of the borough. In the hamlet of Torrentb, to the west, is the 16th C. chapel of Santa Ceclia, while at Sobirans, in the hilliest part of the borough, is the recently rebuilt chapel of El Remei whose origins go back to the 15th C.
Arenys de Munt. Altarpiece of Sant Mart (16 th C.). detail

Canet de Mar and Sant Pol de Mar

Canet de Mar has all the vitality of an enterprising seaside town. Basking in sunlight and open to the Mediterranean, it is sheltered by tree-clad hills and has a wide beach stretching the whole length of the town which has recently been embellished by a new promenade, the Passeig Martim. Its activities include agriculture and industry as well as tourism. Canet developed in the 15th C. as the sailors quarter of Sant Iscle de Vallalta. It was an important centre for shipping until the age of the sailing ship came to an end, at which time industry particularly knitwear manufacturing began to take over. Nowadays the town possesses the first school of technical engineering devoted to this speciality. In certain streets in the former Marina district, which centres on the late Gothic 16th C. church of Sant Pere, the layout and buildings have preserved features from the 16th and 17th C.. Domnech i Montaner had a house and studio in Canet, the home town of his mother and wife, and left interesting examples of his architecture there: the Ateneu Popular, Casa Roura (Known as Ca la Bianga), a remodelled former manor farmhouse, the present CasaMuseu Domnech i Montaner, and the reconstruction of the imposing neo-Gothic castle of Santa Florentina, on the outskirts, of which the two entrance towers to the former castle (13-14th C.) have been preserved. Other interesting buildings from the same period are the Cooperativa La Uni, By Rafael Mas, and the shrine of La Misericrdia by Daniel Molina (with a hotel by Puig i Cadafalch), surrounded by a park. In addition to its good climate and facilities, Canet de Mar is known for its fine cuisine: excellent early vegetables and strawberries, tasty casseroled fish and snails are the most characteristic local specialities. Sant Pol de Mar is another attractive seafaring town. Quiet, bathed in sunlight, and typically
Canet de Mar. Casa Roura or Ca la Bianga, by Domnech i Montaner

Mediterranean in character, it faces out over the sea between the Vallalta river and the headland where the church of the former Benedictine monastery still stands. Along with Caldes dEstrac, it boasts the longest tradition as a summer holiday resort of all the towns in Maresme. Tourism increased from the 1960s onwards, as did the number of second homes. Sant Pol offers good facilities and is the home of an important school of hotel management. The whitewashed houses straggle up the hillside and in the seafront district, where constructions from old fishermens houses are still to be found, the personality of Sant Pol remains alive. The beach is wider at both the eastern and western ends and a few fishing boats still lie on the coarse sand. Agriculture is also well developed, and locally grown fruit and vegetables are much appreciated, particularly the delicious strawberries. The town owes its name to the church of Sant Pau, which was formerly part of the monastery of Sant Pol del Maresme. Though the present building was constructed in the 11th C., its origins go back to the 10th C. and in the northern part of the building, below the church, there is a pre-medieval room which dates from between the 6th and 7th C. This highly original building, with its austere appearance, is something of a symbol of Sant Pol. At the opposite, western end of the town is the 16th C. late Gothic parish church of Sant Jaume with a 16th C. belltower that formerly had a defensive function. Inside is a 16th C. wooden statue of the Madonna (Mare de Du del Roser) and a Pietat by the Baroque sculptor from Seville, Juan Martnez Montas. Other interesting buildings are the Modernist style Escola Pblica, and Can Planiol, built in eclectic style by the local architect Ignasi Mas i Morell.The Museu Municipal houses a good selection of paintings including works by Casas, Pichot, Mir and local artists. The borough is rich in archeological remains, such as the Iberian-Roman dwelling site of El Farell.The square watchtower called Torre Martina was built with stones from this settlement.
Sant Pol de Mar Windsurfing

Proceeding up the river from Sant Pol, we come to Sant Cebri de Vallalta, built on a steep hillside amid pine, holm oak and chestnut woods. It is a farming village with many second and holiday homes. The parish church of Sant Cebri (16th C.) was built over an older church, probably Romanesque in style, to which the lower part of the belltower belongs. In the surrounding area is the spring of Nostra Dona del Carme. Continuing up the road we reach Sant Iscle de Vallalta, on the southern slope of the Montnegre range. Similar in many ways to Sant Cebri, it stands amid attractive scenery, surrounded by hills with many valleys, streams and springs like the one which gave its name to the chapel of La Font de la Salut.

Sant Iscle de Vallalta

Calella, the tourist capital

The borough of Calella comprises a strip of coastline over 3 km long between Sant Pol and Pineda, where the built-up area is located, and a hilly area located in the foothills of the Montnegre range. The long beach with its coarse, clean sand, led to the establishment of an important tourist complex offering a range of facilities in proportion to the amount of accommodation. Calella is a cosmopolitan resort and in summer its innumerable terraces, restaurants, typical taverns, discotheques and night clubs offer lively entertainment. Plentiful shopping facilities are available on the attractive pedestrian mall while all types of sports are practised in the municipal sports centres or in the open air, especially along the seafront. Calella also possesses ideal facilities and advisory services for conferences, contests and conventions. For all these reasons, it is known as the tourist capital of Maresme. Originally an agricultural town, like other neighbouring towns it developed an important maritime trade including shipyards. For many years it was the home of a major knitwear industry. In 1925 King Alfonso XIII bestowed on it the title of city. Calella has preserved its old quarter, located round the church, which has straight, narrow streets that are a hive of activity in summer. Though Neoclassical in style, the archpriests church of Sant Maria still has a Baroque doorway from the former building, with the heads of the twelve apostles sculpted by Jean de Tours. Close to it are other buildings steeped in history, such as Casa dels Salvadors (14th C.), which has Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. Opposite the town hall are Casa Galceran, which has porches with voussoirs, Gothic windows and machicolations over the entrance door, and Casa Sivilla, both built in the 16th C. The Museum and Archive house objects and documents related to the life of the city. The Parc Municipal Dalmau stands alongside the main road and
Calella beach

a number of forest tracks suitable for hiking lead out of the town towards points in the Montnegre range. The Passeig de Mar is an ideal place for a stroll and is the scene of numerous festivities which take place throughout the year. The most important is the fair Fira de Calella i lAlt Maresme, which features cultural and recreational events and displays of traditional folklore, as well as commercial products and handicrafts, and brings crowds flocking to the town during the four days it lasts. Calella, which was the first large-scale tourist resort in Maresme, continues to offer top class facilities for visitors. Pineda de Mar, the neighbouring borough, also has a wide, long sandy beach towards which the town has gradually grown out, joining other Maresme holiday resorts in offering an extensive range of hotels and services. Thanks to its good climate and pleasant beach, the number of summer holiday homes and tourists has risen steadily. Even so, agricultural activities continue to thrive, fostered by the mainly flat land. Industry and shipping were never very highly developed here but Pineda had a large fishing fleet which gave rise to the Mar district. Since the growth of tourism and industry, however, fishing nets are no longer a feature of the seafront. The historical centre has preserved all its flavour. The church of Santa Maria has a nave dating from the 16th C., two side aisles and an octagonal 18th C. belltower. The Baroque faade is decorated with a checkered sgraffiti design. On the other side of the road from the church is Can Jalp, an interesting 15-16th C. fortified farmhouse which has been restored. A Gothic monumental cross (16th C.) can be admired in the courtyard of Can Quintana on Carrer Major and there are some interesting 18th and 19th C. buildings on Plaa de Catalunya. Two 16th C. defence towers Mas Castellar and Santa Anna still stand. Archeological remains from the 3rd century B.C., found on Montpalau hill, bear witness to the towns Iberian past. Also of note is
Sardanes in the Parc Municipal at Calella Pineda de Mar beach

the Roman aqueduct of Can Cua, four arches of which have survived. It was originally 3 km long with a difference of 40 m between the highest and the lowest points. Pinedas many attractions include broad avenues, shady squares, a pleasant seafront promenade on which shops, restaurants, terraces and cafs abound, and numerous leisure-time facilities. Alternatively, nature lovers can take the road to Montpalau and then continue along the forest track towards the wooded landscapes of the Montnegre. On leaving Pineda, we enter the borough of Santa Susanna, where the small built-up area stands a short distance from the coast. In the northern part of the borough are some scattered farmhouses and a few housing developments but Santa Susannas prime source of income is a thriving agriculture which benefits from the flatness of the land and the abundance of water. In the thickly wooded hilly areas are many mineral and medicinal springs, such as those of El Boter and El Verder. The pleasant blend of sea and hills has led to Santa Susannas development as a tourist resort, with a corresponding rise in the number of hotels, campsites, restaurants and complementary facilities along the seafront, which presents similar characteristics to neighbouring towns.

Pineda de Mar. Church of Santa Maria Pineda de Mar. Roman aqueduct Can Cua

Malgrat de Mar
The flourishing modern town of Malgrat de Mar stands at the far end of the Maresme coastline, adjoining Selva. It is built on flat ground with a few hills and extensive pine woods that reach down to the sea. The beach stretches as far as the mouth of the Tordera. Industry and agriculture are the main activities in its well-balanced economy. However, Malgrat also holds many attractions as an international tourist resort, with numerous hotels, residences and camping sites offering modern facilities and a wide selection of entertainment. Economic activity in Malgrat expanded during the 18th C. with the beginning of industrialization and the growth of maritime trade. Further prosperity came in the 19th C. with the discovery of iron ore in the Can Palomeres and Mas Joer hills and mining continued until the veins gave out after the First World War. The old quarter lies near the seafront. Its most prominent feature is the church of Sant Nicolau de Bari known as the cathedral of the coast on account of its size which dates back to the 16th C., though the Neoclassical faade and square belltower are 17th C. additions. On Carrer de Passada stands the Old Hospital (15th C.) which has a Gothic chapel and was built on the site of a former farmhouse. The formerly fortified building which now houses the Cooperativa La Malgretense is also of interest, while Torre den Riera is the outstanding feature of Carrer de Mar. A few imposing Modernist residences, such as Ca lArnau, stand along Carrer de Bellaire. Malgrat has grown outwards along the coast, and it is here that most of the plentiful tourist accommodation and large residential areas, along with the highly diversified range of stable commercial establishments which have sprung up beside them, are located. The Passeig Martim links the tourist districts to the historical centre of the town, where the main shopping facilities are concentrated.
Malgrat de Mar. Church of Sant Nicolau de Bari Malgrat de Mar

Malgrat was once the seafront of the neighbouring borough of Palafolls, which now consists of the village of Les Ferreries (also called Palafolls) and Sant Gens de Palafolls. It stands on the right bank of the Tordera, a short distance from the Montnegre foothills. Palafolls is predominantly agricultural, with specialized farms and a little industry, though in latter years the number of second homes and housing developments has risen. Some of the old farmhouses have been converted into typical restaurants with a reputation for good traditional cookery. The village of Sant Gens de Palafolls has presevered its oldworld appearance. It grew up alongside the fortified church of Sant Gens, of Romanesque origin, which was modified in the 15th and 16th C. and has a Gothic nave, two chapels, a square belltower and a round defensive tower. The village of Les Ferreries, which was founded in the 17th C., is the administrative centre of the borough and has undergone considerable growth. Several 15th and 16th C. farmhouses still stand in the surrounding area. Close to Plaa de Joaquim Ruyra, a sports centre designed by the famous Japonese architect Arata Isozaki, which is the most modern work of architecture in Maresme, is currently being built. In the area closest to the seafront there is a dolphin park where attractive displays by skilfully trained dolphins can be seen. On a nearby hilltop, 150 m above sea level, stand the ruins of Palafolls Castle, commanding a magnificent view over the lower reaches of the Tordera and the fertile plain. Once the centre of the important barony of Palafolls, the castle consists of three enclosures and most of the buildings date from between the 12th and 15th C. Rebuilding is presently underway and the fully restored chapel can already be visited. Besides the advantages of its climate and services, Canet de Mar has a fine gastronomical reputation. It produces excellent fresh vegetables and strawberries, tasty fish casseroles, and snails are a typical popular culinary speciality.
Palafolls Castle Sant Gens de Palafolls

Tordera and the Montnegre

Tordera, the largest borough in Maresme, is situated in the lower Tordera valley just a few miles from the sea. It lies at the end of Maresme farthest removed from Barcelona, adjoining the Selva and Valls Oriental regions. The waters of the Tordera flow through it and are used in industry and for irrigating the fields. These activities, together with stock raising and tourism, are the mainstays of the boroughs economy. Much of the area is occupied by Montnegre, the most attractive peak in the Maresme region, which is covered with an expanse of unspoilt woodland that is surprisingly large in view of its proximity to the coast. Tordera is an active and enterprising town. The old centre, located on top of a hillock, clusters round the church of Sant Esteve. The Romanesque belltower from an earlier church has been preserved, though with late Gothic additions. In the faade are an interesting Baroque doorway, flanked by two columns, and two balconies with balustrades. The small chapel of Sant Pon, 4 km from the town, has an interesting porch resting on twelve Doric columns. It stands in a beautiful setting, surrounded by woods. On 11 May each year there is a traditional procession to the spot at which roses are blessed and sardana dancing takes place. A very different type of gathering is that which marks the Sunday market, attended by crowds from all over the area. The many stalls, which occupy part of the old centre and continue along the Parc Prudenci Bertrana, make a colourful, lively spectacle which has become a tourist attraction. The inns and restaurants of Tordera also enjoy a welldeserved reputation. Forest tracks lead from Tordera to the villages of Hortsaviny, Vallmanya and Sant Pere de Riu, in the Montnegre uplands, the highest summit of which Ca nAlomar rises to an altitude of 701 m. The rich woodlands of the borough are made up of holm oaks, pines and chestnuts. The church of Sant Llop
Tordera. Sunday market

dHortsaviny, with its Baroque faade, lies to the east. A short distance further on is the small shrine of Mare de Du de lErola (18th C.), while towards the borough of Santa Susanna is the church of Sant Pere del Riu, which, despite its Baroque faade and belltower, has preserved its original Romanesque structure. Further north, beyond Vallmanya, are the remains of an important Romanesque church from the former monastery of RocaRossa. The beauty and tranquillity of the hilly landscapes make this area one of the most enjoyable in the whole of Maresme.

Santa Susanna beach

 Generalitat de Catalunya Departament dInnovaci, Universitats i Empresa Turisme de Catalunya Text: Borja Calzado Translated by: Jacqueline Hall Graphic design: Francesc Guitart Cover Photo: Sant Pol / Calella. Jordi Trulls. Photographs : R. Manent, J. Pareto and J. Trulls Printed: Grfiques Cusc, SA D.L.B.: 30424-2008 Printed in EU Consorci de Promoci Turstica Costa de Barcelona-Maresme Plaa Miquel Biada, 1. 08301 Matar Tel. [+34] 937 411 161 www.costadelmaresme.cat Centre dInformaci de Catalunya Palau Robert. Passeig de Grcia, 107. 08008 Barcelona Tel. [+34] 932 388 091 www.gencat.cat/probert Tourist offices 08350 Arenys de Mar Edifici Calisay. Riera Pare Fita, 31 Tel. [+34] 937 957 750 turisme@arenysdemar.cat 08370 Calella Sant Jaume, 231. Tel. [+34] 937 690 559 info@turismedecalella.com 08360 Canet de Mar Xamfr Rieres Buscarons i Gavarra Tel. [+34] 937 940 898 canetmar@canet.diba.es 08380 Malgrat de Mar Pl. de lncora, s/n. Tel. [+34] 937 653 889 turisme@ajmalgrat.cat 08301 Matar Riera, 48. Tel. [+34] 937 582 698 turisme@ajmataro.cat 08397 Pineda de Mar C. St. Joan, 57. Tel. [+34] 937 623 490 oficinaturisme@pinedademar.org 08395 Sant Pol de Mar Abat Des, 36. Tel. [+34] 937 604 547 ofturisme@santpol.org 08398 Santa Susanna Av. del Mar (Mercury Village) T. [+34] 937 679 008 oi.turisme@stasusanna.org www.catalunyaturisme.com
Baix Ebre Segri Conca de Barber Garrigues Alt Camp Baix Peneds Ribera dEbre Terra Priorat Baix Camp Tarragons Garraf Alt Peneds V. Occidental Barcelons

Val dAran

Alta Ribagora

Pallars Sobir

Cerdanya Ripolls Pallars Juss Alt Urgell Garrotxa Bergued Solsons Osona Noguera Bages Valls Oriental Pla dUrgell Anoia Maresme Selva Segarra Pla de lEstany Girons Baix Empord Alt Empord

Urgell

Baix Llobregat

The Montnegre

Montsi

Generalitat de Catalunya Government of Catalonia Ministry of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise