Kaleria spain. Resort Calella Spain

Travelers who have visited it at least once are attracted by Spain again and again. Calella - small town OK considered a modern tourism center resort area the coast of the Costa del Maresme and already mastered by the Europeans who have already fallen in love with it, is only opening up for our compatriots.

A bit of history

Scientists have established that the first human settlements on the site of modern Calella were already in the 1st century BC. NS. The first mention of this small fishing village was found in documents dating back to the 12th century. Since the XIV century, according to the Royal decision received by Viscount Bernat II of Cabrera, the construction of houses begins. In the 16th century, the central city square and streets such as Iglesia, Howar, Mar and Batlier are organized and formed. In the 18th century, the city of Calella (Spain) was famous for the silk and cotton fabrics produced here, and shipbuilding was also developed here. The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 led to the decline of both the textile and shipbuilding industries. How tourist centre Calella began to develop only in the second half of the last century.

What and where in the town?

Just like the rest of Spain, Calella is happy to welcome tourists from any corner of the world. This small modern resort covers an area of ​​a little more than 8 km 2, and about 16 thousand residents live in it permanently. Most of them are employed in tourism and services. The peculiarity of this town is that living sector separated from the beaches along the Mediterranean coastline railway, fenced with a special soundproof fence and equipped with many underground passages.

Tourists will be interested in strolling through the old town, on the cobbled streets of which Gothic buildings of the 16th - 17th centuries have been preserved. Like many centuries ago, historical Center- Vila square, where trade was carried out already in the XIV century. Lovers of leisurely walks will like Carrer de I'Eglesia - the main pedestrian street, as well as the chic promenade Manuel Puigvert promenade decorated with century-old plane trees, named after the mayor of Calella, under whom it was built. You can have a snack and rest after a walk in one of the many summer cafes on the central city street - Rambla de Capaspre.

Against the background of such noisy and crowded cities, which Spain is famous for, Calella is a rather quiet resort place for a calm, relaxed beach holiday... Its important advantage is that both Barcelona and Girona can be easily reached by train, covering a distance of 50 km.

Resort attractions

Despite the huge number of historical, architectural, cultural monuments for which Spain is famous, Calella attractions have their own, local, albeit not as well-advertised as the Barcelona buildings of Gaudi or the Arab Baths in Girona:

• the Iglesia de Santa Maria church;
• Dalmau Tropical Municipal Park;
• city ​​museum-archive;
• the ruins of the Las Torrettas watchtowers;
• lighthouse "El Far" over the rock of Roca Grossa;
• old, XVI century buildings, the chapel of St. Hualita;
• mansions Seville and Cassa del Salvador;
• house with cacti.

Let's talk a little more about some of them.

Church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas

This Catholic Church is one of the most visited attractions in the city of Calella (Spain).

Travelers' reviews about baroque architecture, about the external and internal decoration of this temple are mostly enthusiastic. On the site of the modern building, the first church was built already in the XIV century. Only in the first quarter of the 16th century, a religious building with one nave, two side chapels and a bell tower with a square base and an octagonal upper part began to be erected in its place.

Parc dalmau

Another great place for quiet walks and relaxed relaxation is the romantic and well-groomed Dalmau Park, located almost in the city center. All of Spain is not visible from it - the city of Calella, and even a little sea space. Oaks, various conifers, purple acacias and other Mediterranean shrubs make up its "core".

The central point of the entire Dalmau Park - Court of the Bear - is a specially equipped children's play area. Parc Dalmau regularly hosts a variety of cultural events, concerts of both amateur and professional bands.

City Museum

Lovers of history will remember their vacation in Calella (Spain) thanks to a visit to the Museum - Archives named after Juseppe M. Codin y Baghe located in the city center. It is located in a 17th century mansion and stores not only historical and archaeological artifacts, products of applied art local population, but also the most important documents of urban history.

Watchtowers Las Torretes

This is what they call picturesque ruins signal structures built in the middle of the 19th century. Technological advances have made the complex and time-consuming system of signaling through flags and lights unnecessary. After the ubiquity of electricity, the towers were abandoned and fell into disrepair quite quickly.

Today, people climb to them in order to admire the surrounding landscape, since in clear weather the visibility is up to 30 km.

Old lighthouse

El Far is a still functioning lighthouse, which is the official symbol of Calella. It was erected in 1837. In addition to his direct function - giving signals to ships at night or in bad weather - he guarded the town from attacks by North African pirates. It is located so that it is perfectly visible from almost anywhere in the city.

Where to stay?

Both luxury lovers and budget travelers will be able to find a suitable accommodation option for themselves. Today, their services are offered by the most diverse, as they say, for every taste, color and budget, hotels. Calella (Spain) invites travelers to stay both in three large campsites and in one of 15 boarding houses. The city has five 5-star and about 45 3- and 4-star hotels. As in any other resort, the cost of living in hotels of the first line, closest to the sea, is somewhat more expensive than in more distant ones. Accommodation in small private hostels or hotels will cost almost half as much as in a hotel. But in that, and in another case, there are both pros and cons.

The beaches

But the main attraction in Calella (Spain) - reviews of tourists show - are golden sandy beaches... From early June to late September - the best time for recreation on free municipal beaches that stretch along the entire city limits for four kilometers and have a well-organized infrastructure: bars, cafes, restaurants, discos, rental shops for various sports equipment, and a variety of water attractions.

The beach area is divided into the following sectors:

• Central - Playa de Gran - with equipped areas for playing beach sports, many discos and bars.
• Plaja de Garbi (Garbi), located in the Passo de las Rocas area, has wonderful children's playgrounds during the day and foam parties and discos for young people in the evening.
• This sandy "paradise" ends with a rocky area with secluded coves, and Les Pogues Beach is a nudist beach separated from the rest by a rock.
• Los Roces - beautiful place for connoisseurs of the beauty of the underwater world, where you can enjoy snorkeling or diving. This bay is somewhat remote and it is not easy to get to it, but during the tourist season there are cozy restaurants and cafes here, and family trips on boats with a transparent bottom are organized.

A Mediterranean getaway with beautiful beaches and interesting sights is not the whole list of the advantages of the city of Calella. This is a place for the mobile, here everything is created for active rest and entertainment. However, this place is also suitable for a quiet family vacation.

Peculiarities

Calella is one of the major tourist centers near Barcelona. This democratic place contains many restaurants, cafes, shops, water and beach activities, a beautiful beach, as well as sports and unique walks around the city.

In the past, supplies of grapes, seafood, wheat and olive oil to the Roman Empire came from here. Today it is a modern resort with excellent infrastructure and a railway and a large port.

The climate here is maritime, in summer it reaches up to + 40 ° C, and in winter it does not drop below 0 ° C. Thanks to the sea breeze, very hot days are easily tolerated, and green palms, pines and maples provide shelter from the sun.

Infrastructure

The completely sandy beach stretches along the promenade for 3 km, smoothly turning into rocky terrain. The picturesque landscape is formed by small coves and cliffs.

The water here is very clean, and the sand is golden in color, for which Calella received the Blue Flag for environmental friendliness. The beach strip is divided into several sections, in addition to the centralized and crowded ones, you can retire further, where the beach is no worse.

Shops located throughout the resort will delight you with an interesting assortment and a variety of souvenirs that will remind you of a wonderful vacation.

Not far from the city there is an entertainment club "Flamenco Show"; very interesting performances take place here at night.

On the territory of Calella, an Aquapark, a zoo on the water, stables, visiting which you can ride horses, as well as a dolphinarium, have been built.

As for restaurants and cafes, there are also a lot of them here. On the shore there is a McDonald's for a bite to eat, as well as a Burger King and Bocaca sandwich chain. For connoisseurs of higher quality and haute cuisine, restaurants offer a special menu from local cuisine as well as standard European.

sights

For lovers of local history, it will become interesting walk around the city, because here you can look at unusual buildings, which are decorated with ceramic plates, interesting molding and forged elements.

There is a very interesting church built in the Catalan style. Its walls are decorated with decorative bas-reliefs and statues of the apostles.

Also nearby is Casa del Salvadors, a family home of 14th century architecture.

Vila Square attracts attention for its architectural uniqueness of the buildings of the Gothic style, erected in the 16th century.

In addition to beautiful architecture, various fairs and celebrations are held in the city, with very beautiful performances.
This city is a very interesting place that will be remembered for a long time as a cozy and at the same time full of activities and entertainment resort.

If you dream of seeing Barcelona and at the same time relaxing on the pristine coastline Mediterranean Sea, then you need to go to the address: Spain - the city of Calella. This city, located just an hour's drive from Barcelona, ​​is perfect for a beach holiday and for visiting the capital of Catalonia with excursions.

Description of the city

Calella became a city only in 1925, and before that it was a simple fishing village, whose inhabitants were engaged in fishing and textile production. The tourism infrastructure here began to develop in the sixties of the last century. With its development, the appearance of the city has changed: comfortable hotels and campgrounds, modern cafes, restaurants and entertainment centers... Today Calella is a very popular and well-known place among those who like to spend their holidays on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

In addition to the stunning subtropical climate (you can relax here from April to October), this place also attracts with its natural beauty. The city is located in cozy place at the foot of the hill, on one side it is covered by mountains, and on the other side is the endless sea surface of the Mediterranean Sea.

City beaches a paradise for tourists

A beautiful sandy beach with a beautiful shady alley stretches along the entire city line for more than 3 kilometers. Further, it passes into a rocky area with sharp cliffs, small lagoons and cozy bays that will especially appeal to those seeking peace and solitude. This well-groomed and comfortable beach area is covered in golden soft sand, regularly awarded Blue flag UNESCO for cleanliness and livability.

All beaches have a very well-developed infrastructure, any of the holidaymakers will find everything for a comfortable pastime: umbrellas and sun loungers, restaurants and bars, discos and a wide variety of water attractions.

Outdoor enthusiasts will also find something to do: beach volleyball, aerobics, kayaking, windsurfing, diving, mountain biking and much more. Roca Grossa beach has become a favorite destination for divers, they are attracted by the clear water with excellent visibility, as well as the fantastic beauty of the underwater world.

Where to stay in Calella

Today, Calella is a developed tourist center that can accommodate about 15 thousand vacationers every month, and about 20 thousand local residents live in the city itself. Therefore, despite the developed tourism infrastructure, this city has not lost its unique charm. Numerous modern hotels are located near the historic quarters where Catalans live.

Spanish is famous not only for its sights, but also for its souvenirs.

To be independent from buses and visit the most interesting places Calella.

Tourists who come on vacation to Calella can choose any option for accommodation. They offer 15 boarding houses, 3 large campsites, 45 three- and four-star hotels, as well as 5 hotels high category... The cost of living in hotels located in the coastal zone will be slightly more expensive than in hotels located a little further from the coast. But when compared with other popular resorts, the room prices are not very high.

Where to go and what to see?

Despite the fact that this Old city With the development of tourism infrastructure, it is rapidly changing, it still retains its original architecture and unique Catalan charm. Most valuable architectural heritage and the sights of Calella are located in the historic center by Piazza Vila. The buildings located in this place are built in the Gothic style, they have retained their original appearance to this day with decorative decorations of those times.

The most important attraction is the Iglesia de Santa Maria church, which was built in the 16th century. At this time, after two destruction, it has been completely restored, and the most amazing thing is that the original bas-reliefs from the altar of the first temple are still preserved.

In the historical center, there are other architectural monuments of the 16-18 centuries: the chapel of St. Julita, the old mansions of Cassa del Salvador and Cassa Sevilla. Tourists are happy to visit the museum-archive of the city, where you can get acquainted with historical artifacts that testify to ancient history this region. On a hill with a fantastic view, there are the ruins of an optical telegraph, built in 1830, as well as an old lighthouse, which is still working.

While on vacation in Calella, it will be interesting to visit colorful folklore festivals, carnivals, a huge exhibition of rare types of roses, a beer festival called "Oktoberfest" by the Germans, a festival of sardana (national Catalan dance), a medieval festival.

Especially popular in Calella hiking: large pedestrian zones in the historical part of the city, fifteen beautiful squares, many parks with walking alleys, all this contributes to leisurely walks and enjoying the beauty of this city.

In the 1st century BC. on the territory of modern Spain (province of Barcelona) on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, a settlement appeared, whose inhabitants were engaged in the cultivation of grapes, wheat and the production of olive oil.

Since the XIV century, at the behest of Viscount Bernat II of Cabrera, it acquired the status of a city.

Today's Calella is a modern resort town with developed infrastructure, with a port and a railway. It is home to 18.6 thousand local residents, mainly employed in the tourism business. 55 hotels in a small town every year receive thousands of guests from different parts of the world.

The mild maritime climate with temperatures above freezing even on the most winter days confirms Spain's status as the sunniest country in Europe.

In summer, high temperatures (up to 40 ° C) smooth out the humidity of the sea breeze. Evergreen palms are here side by side with pines, maples and orchids.

How to get to Calella

Suburban trains from Barcelona leave for this small town four times a day. The journey will take just over an hour.

Doors in Spanish commuter trains, as in the metro, the passengers themselves open it by pressing the green button.

If your trip to Spain starts at Barcelona Airport, then arriving guests will have to first get to the central railway station cities (it is better to do this by train C2), and then, having made a change at the Estacio Sants station, go to Calella.

Lovers of comfort can book a transfer from Barcelona to Calella de la Costa in advance. A comfortable minibus will pick up tourists from terminals 1 and 2 of the airport and take them directly to the hotel's doorstep.

Cuisine and restaurants

Almost all hotels in Calella provide catering for holidaymakers, unlike Barcelona. For lovers of independent food, there are many cafes and restaurants in the city. Here are some of the most interesting catering items:

1. La Quadra - evening tavern with dancing and delicious dinner for 10 euros;
2. El Hogar Gallego - A seafood restaurant for the average wallet;
3. Sant Pau is a pretentious establishment for dear guests who don't mind shelling out 150 euros for dinner. Tables must be ordered in advance.

Many small shops throughout the city sell food and wine. Two supermarkets in the center will be able to replace all other small shops: Mercandona at Calle Joan Fuster i Ortell, 450 and Dia at Carrer de Sant Jaume, 54.

Calella landmarks

Barcelona.
- House Museum, where the Spanish architect Luis Dominic Muntaner lived and worked.
- The famous old lighthouse.
- The Parque Dalmau bomb shelter, built during the Civil War.

Entertainment

In the city itself, the only entertainment you can offer is wonderful sandy beaches. It is worth remembering that three meters from the water's edge, the seabed drops abruptly, so small children should not be left unattended in the water.

7 km from the city there is an entertainment club "Flamenco show", where night gatherings cost about 50 euros. 15 km from Calella, you can attend a knightly tournament in Medieval castle for only 55 euros (with dinner). Also within a 10-minute drive there are a water park, a dolphinarium, a water zoo, and dressage stables.

Calella is a city and municipality in Spain, part of the province of Barcelona in the autonomous community of Catalonia.

The ancient city of Calella in Spain is famous for its magnificent beaches, parks and squares, comfortable hotels and restaurants. There are many old mansions, museums, historical monuments and other attractions here. And the rest is eventful and rich in impressions. The resort is ideal for connoisseurs sea ​​recreation and the Mediterranean climate, lovers of getting to know different cultures and learning new things.

Calella beaches

There are three beaches in Calella, which form a coastal zone with golden sand, about 3 km long. The beaches "Gran" and "Garbi" attract many tourists. Les Roques beach is located in a secluded bay among the rocks - there are few tourists here. All the beaches have a lot of entertainment: climbing walls, water and beach sports. There are bars and cafes, equipment rental for sports and recreation.

Calella's beaches have been recognized as environmentally friendly, safe and comfortable, for which they have been awarded the Blue Flag. The entrance to the beaches is free, you will have to pay for the rental of sun loungers and umbrellas.

Seaside square "Paseo de Garbi"

In the coastal area of ​​Calella, there is a magnificent park with exotic trees. Here you can walk along a shady alley, sit on a bench overlooking the sea, ride bicycles, look at an artificial reservoir.

In the evening, the square is transformed by colorful illumination and attracts romantics. A great place to relax after a hot beach.

Out-of-town excursions

Near Calella are Barcelona and Girona, cities with a fascinating history. Tourists have the opportunity to visit these cities, see monuments and museums in one day.

If you go to Figares, you can get acquainted with the work of Salvador Dali, in Blanes - the writer Robert Blanc. You can go to the Gala castle in Pubol, the Montserrat monastery, get acquainted with the wine cellars or visit the knightly tournament. Bus excursions are organized to all these directions from Calella.

Dalmau Park

A beautiful and well-kept park located on a hill near the city center. Until the XX century, the old estate of the Palau family was located here, after which the land was bought by the municipality of Calella. In 1928, the architect Geroni Martorell created a park on this site, which covers an area of ​​more than 18 hectares.

The park is planted with stone oaks, pines and tropical plants, between which there are rocky alleys and staircases on the ascents. There are many sculptures and monuments, a fountain, springs with drinking water, a playground. The park hosts festivals and concerts.

Museum-bomb shelter

In the Dalmau park there is an unusual museum - a bomb shelter. In 1936 and 1937, during the civil war, the Francoists, with the help of German and Italian aircraft, bombed civilians in Catalonia. During this time, many bomb shelters were built, one of which is in the park.

The bomb shelter has been preserved in the same form as during the raids. In the rocky tunnels there are galleries with stands displaying photographs and documents. The museum is broadcasting on TV.

House with cacti

It is not known what the residents thought about when they planted cacti on the balcony of an unremarkable house. But time passed, and the house with cacti managed to stand out even among the old mansions of the city.

The concrete and glass building is literally woven into a single whole with various types of cactus. Today, a unique house is a highlight of the city, which attracts tourists and is known all over the world.

Tourism Museum

This is the only Museum of Tourism in the world, many of whose exhibits were donated by tourists from all over the world. The exhibits of the museum are rare documents, books, things, photographs, which can be used to trace the history and tradition of travel at different times.

The museum has exhibitions dedicated to famous people Calella. Decorated expositions telling about local sights, unique places of the planet, famous researchers.

Iglesia street

Iglesia pedestrian street is a shopaholic's dream. There are more than 500 shops within 2 km. There are souvenir and antique shops, boutiques, shops with clothes, household items, food and local delicacies.

Along the narrow street there are old houses, looking at which you can get additional pleasure. In cafes and restaurants, seafood, meat and vegetables are fried right in front of tourists. Walk along the street Iglesia leaves a special impression, and is not at all like a banal shopping.

Town Hall Square

The historical center of Calella is concentrated around the square. Here, in the building of the town hall, the city municipality is located. The town hall itself was built at the end of the 20th century by the project of the architect D. Monsoetta.

The square has recreation areas, souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. Old buildings, some of which were built in the XIV century, give a special flavor to the square.

Library "Salvador de la Plaza"

The library is located in a 14th century mansion. The first mentions of the house are found in cadastral documents dated 1341. It is listed as "the house of Can Salvador". Historians believe that this is one of the very first buildings in Calella, in the details of which the special talent of architects can be traced. The building differs significantly from other buildings of its time.

Today you can admire the Gothic arch, decorated with windows, the remains of a hinged loophole for protection from pirates. The building has been restored, the entrance is open to everyone. Therefore, the mansion can also be viewed from the inside.

Manor "Kang Jiol"

The Galseron family mansion was built in 1430 in the late Gothic style. Many elements of architecture have been well preserved: a semicircular arch, panoramic windows and stucco moldings. At the top of the building there is a loophole to protect the doors and the emblem.

The coat of arms depicts a shrub, which in Catalan is called "galseran". This is where the surname of the owners of the estate originated. In the Middle Ages, opposite the house there was an entrance to the city through the Rose gate, which was often raided by robbers.

Las Torretas Towers

The Las Torretas Towers are a 30-minute walk from the city at the top picturesque mountain... They were built in 1857 to transmit optical signals with lights and colored flags to neighboring cities. The towers were built exclusively for peaceful purposes, with the development railroad and the electric telegraph the need for them has disappeared.

Today the towers are in a dilapidated state, but this does not diminish their grandeur. A commemorative plaque with brief history buildings. From their location, a magnificent view of the sea and the city opens.

Calella Municipal Archive Museum

In the museum, housed in an old 17th century mansion, you can learn about the fascinating history of Calella. The first settlements appeared here in the 1st century BC. e during the Roman Empire, and the city itself was founded in 1338. Therefore, the museum has a lot of interesting things.

Here you can see rare documents, paintings and photographs. Rare samples of precious stones and minerals, fabrics, knitted and woven products, amphorae, looms, household items are presented. All expositions tell about the development of crafts, life and historical events associated with this place.

St. Mary's Church

The history of the Catholic Church begins in 1564. The first building stood for almost 200 years, but collapsed due to the fall of the bell tower. Soon, a new building was built according to the project of the architect D. Morrato, but it was burned down during the civil war of the 1930s.

In 1951, the church was built and reopened. The new building copies the old building. It is a basilica, divided into several chapels, with a bell tower 42 meters high. The entrance is decorated with preserved sculptures of the 12 apostles, which were carved in the 16th century for the altar of the destroyed church.

Calella lighthouse

The old but active lighthouse is the symbol of Calella. It was built in 1837 on the Roca Grossa cliff. The lights of the coastal tower provided a landmark for fishing and merchant ships that often entered the city. In the 19th century, the cities of Catalonia were attacked by pirates, so the tower was also used as a watchtower.

Today, one of the lighthouse premises houses a small museum. Here you can get acquainted with the historical events that took place in this area since the construction of the lighthouse. From the location of the lighthouse, an incredible view of the sea, city, coastal cliffs and forests opens up.

Many tourists call the lighthouse "El Far". However, this is not the name of the tower, but just a translation of the word "lighthouse" from the Spanish language.

What sights can be seen in 1-2 days

Calella is a small town, so you can see most of the sights in one day. If you find it difficult to organize an excursion, you can contact the tourist center. It is located near the Town Hall Square.

It is better to start your acquaintance with the city from the museum-archive, then exploring other historical sites will be more meaningful. To do this, you need to get to the Town Hall Square. There is also the Church of St. Mary, the library "Salvador de la Plaza", the town hall of the city hall.

Most beautiful views in Calella - on the steep coast

Iglesia street departs from the square, during a walk along which you can see the house "Can Jiol", and if you turn into a side street - a house with cacti. You can end the day in the Dalmau Park with a visit to the bomb shelter.

Barcelona is also within an hour's drive away, with its world famous attractions. In addition, I advise you to familiarize yourself with other resort towns on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, which, in addition to a beach holiday, have something to see. Leaving Calella south, bypassing Barcelona, ​​stop at