Page 199 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

CENTR AL AND EASTERN P Y RENEES  197

n Olot m Costa Brava
Girona. Road Map G5. Girona. Road Map G6. k Girona. n
* 34,000. n C/Francesc Paseo Maritim s/n, L’Estartit; 972 75 19
Fábregas 6; 972 26 01 41. 10. ∑ visitestartit.com n Avda.
( Mon. _ Corpus Cristi, del Pelegri 25 (Tossa de Mar); 972
Fiesta del Tura (8 Sep). 34 01 08. ∑ costabrava.org
∑ turismeolot.com
The touristy “wild coast”,
This small market stretching south from the
town, set in an odd French border for 200 km (124
landscape ringed by miles), is a mix of pine­backed
stumpy, extinct sandy coves, golden beaches
volcanoes and vast and crowded resorts. Lloret de
expanses of beech Mar is the busiest of these.
woods, lost most of Trips can be made from
its historic monu­ L’Estartit to the Illes Medes,
ments during an islands that once sheltered
earthquake in 1427. pirates and are now a marine
The buildings one reserve with clear waters for
The church in Sant Joan de les Abadesses sees today date snorkelling, while in Tossa de
largely from the 18th Mar the main attraction
The Benedictine monastery and 19th centuries. In 1783, is the fortified 12th­century
was in operation until 1076, a Public School of Drawing Old Town and the golden
when its activities were sus­ was founded in Olot to beach. Inland, but within
pended by a papal bull. train local craftsmen. easy reach of the Costa
The monastery church is In time, it became Brava, is Figueres, the
unadorned, except for a an impor tant centre hometown of the
superb wooden calvary of religious art. Surrealist artist
depicting the Descent from Much of the Salvador Dalí.
the Cross. Made in 1150, it school’s work The magnificent
looks modern; part of it can be seen in the Teatro-Museu
(one of the thieves crucified Museu Comarcal de la Dalí, founded by
with Christ) was burnt in the Garrotxa, housed in an the artist in 1974, houses
Civil War and replaced with 18th­century hospice works by Dalí. Further
great skill. The monastery’s with a large patio and south is Girona, whose
museum contains a collection arcades. The exhibition cathedral has a superb silver
of beautiful Renaissance and rooms have exhibits altar. In the pre­Romanesque
Baroque altarpieces. illustrating the Església de Sant Pere
The town, which was development of the Detail of Rainy Taxi, de Galligants are fine
encircled by walls with 24 provincial economy Teatro-Museu Dalí mermaid sculptures.
towers and six gates, is and crafts.
approached by the fine E Teatro-Museu Dalí
12th­century Gothic bridge E Museu Comarcal de Pl. Gala­Salvador Dalí. Tel 972 67 75 00.
that arches over the Ter river. la Garrotxa Open Mar–Jun & Oct: 9:30am–6pm
Calle Hospici 8. Tel 972 27 11 66. Tue–Sun; Jul–Sep: 9am–8pm daily;
Open Tue–Sun. Closed 1 & 6 Jan, 25 Nov–Feb: 10:30am–6pm Tue–Sun.
b Vall de Dec. 7 & (free 1st Sun of month). 8 & ∑ salvador-dali.org
Camprodon
C38, C26. Road Map F5. n Sant Roc
22 (Camprodon); 972 74 00 10.
∑ valldecamprodon.org
Camprodon is the main town
of this long valley, which is
home to several charming
villages. Nearby is tiny Llanars,
with its beautiful Romanesque
Església de Sant Esteve, tucked
away in the old quarter among
narrow winding streets.
Setcases, further up the valley,
is a famous beauty spot. Above
it is Vallter, the easternmost ski
resort in the Pyrenees. View south along the Costa Brava from Tossa de Mar

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