Discover Catalonia's Rich Heritage, Culture and Coastline
1. LET’S DISCOVER CATALONIA
BY THE 5TH GROUP
OF LES ESCOLES DE GURB 2006
Index
2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY
1. WHERE IS CATALONIA?
3. OUR COUNTRY
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.
6. PRODUCTION
3. 1. WHERE IS CATALONIA?
Catalonia is situated in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula, It has
more than six million inhabitants and has a surface area of 31,980km2
,
which makes it comparable in size to Switzerland.
4. LES ESCOLES AND GURB
Les Escoles is the name of our school. Nowadays the school has 212 pupils. It is situated in
the centre of Catalonia in a village called Gurb, next to the city of Vic.
Gurb is in a rural area with large fields
and some woodland.
5. 2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY
Catalonia has a history that
goes back over an entire
millennium. It has seen the
arrival of various races, such
as the Iberians, the Celts, the
Greeks, who founded the
colonies of Rhode(Roses)
and Emporion (Empúries)and
the Romans, who established
one of their provincial capitals
in Tarragona. The Visigoths
and Arabs have also had and
important influence in
Catalonia’s past.
Remains of Emporion
6. In the 12th
Century, the principality of Barcelona was united with its
neighbour Aragon by the marriage of Ramon Berenguer IV and
Petronila of Aragon creating the Kingdom of Catalonia and Aragon,
which was a powerful maritime trading empire. The political and legal
status of the Catalan-Aragonese Crown was maintained until
1714,the year in which king Philip V took the throne in Spain. Since
that time the Catalonian people have struggled peacefully to recover
their rights and freedoms.
2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY
Tarragona has Roman
ruins. If one moves
along the
Mediterranean coast,
the amphitheatre can
be seen which was
designated as a World
Heritage site.
7. 2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY
The native language of Catalonia is Catalan. The origins of Catalan date
back to the Middle Ages and, although it has suffered phases of prohibition
and repression throughout history, it is now used by the majority of Catalans.
With the restoration of democracy in 1979, Catalan and Spanish were
recognised as the official languages of the territory.
The oldest text in Catalan is the
"Homilies d'Organyà", written at
least 800 years ago.
Since then, much has been written
in Catalan so that now we have a
rich literary tradition. Here is an
example: Tirant Lo Blanc
8. 2. HERITAGE AND HISTORY
One of the most significant episodes in Catalan history was the restoration of
self-government in 1979, when the Spanish Parliament passed the current
Statute of Autonomy, which was later passed by decree of the Catalan people.
The Catalan Parliment.Today Catalonia is an
autonomous community within
Spain. The Generalitat of
Catalonia is the institution which
governs the country. The Statute
of Autonomy is part of the
Spanish Constitution.
9. 3. OUR COUNTRY
Catalonia has got approximately 580 kilometres of coast line. It
has many contrasts.
On the Northern Coast we can find
the Costa Brava with many steep cliffs
and rocky beaches.
Costa Brava
3.1. The catalan coast
10. 3. OUR COUNTRY
Sa Tuna. Costa Brava
L’Estartit. Costa Brava
Costa del Maresme
On the other hand, in the
Maresme coast, the
beaches are long with fine
sand.
11. The Southern coast has become very built-up. The Costa del
Garraf is rocky but from there to the Delta de l’Ebre the beaches
are large and sandy.
The Ebre Delta, is a natural park and constitutes one of the most
important aquatic habitats in the Western Mediterranean.
Sitges. Barcelona Vilafortuny
Costa Daurada
El Delta de l’Ebre
3. OUR COUNTRY
12. 3. OUR COUNTRY
Girona is the main city of the
Costa Brava. There is a
community of artists and
writers within the medieval
town. In Figueres we find the
Dali museum. Dalí is one of the
most important artists in
Catalonia and is well known
abroad for his unusual
character and surrealist works.
Dalí Museum.
13. The Coastal area has a typically Mediterranean climate. Summers
are not very hot and winters are warm. Rainfall is not abundant.
The countryside changes little throughout the seasons. There are
large white pine and stone pine forests, combined with hazel
woods. However during the last few years many hazel woods have
been substituted by pine.
At school we have some examples of Mediterranean trees, which
have been planted and cared for by the children.
3. OUR COUNTRY
14. This region includes plains and rolling hills and valleys. It has
market towns and cities such as Vic, Manresa, Granollers... and
attractive mountain areas such el Montseny.
The climate is Mediterranean.
Summers are very hot and winters
are very cold. Rain in this area
is rare.
3. OUR COUNTRY
3.2. Catalonia’s inland areas
16. 3. OUR COUNTRY
In the centre is the Montserrat Mountain National Park with its
fascinating geological formations and its erratic and originally
shaped rocks. It has a famous monastery which is a Catalan
symbol.
17. The Terres de Lleida covers Catalonia’s western region, the
capital of which is Lleida. This is an important trading city
with many monuments and fine culture.
The area is full of character, ranging from the olive fields of
the Garrigues, the mountainous regions of Noguera
(Montsec), and the plains of the Urgell canal. It includes
rich towns like Cervera, Balaguer and Tàrrega, and the
Vallbona de les Monges and Bellpuig de les Avellanes
monasteries.
It is also an important fruit-growing and horticultural area. It
produces local wines from costers del Segre and is famous
for its cuisine. The weather is extremely dry in summer.
3. OUR COUNTRY
3.3. The Terres de Lleida
Montsec
18. The Pyrennean region covers a major part of northern Catalonia
consisting of the impressive Pyrennes mountain range and also
the Pre-Pyrennes. The area has an important Romanesque
heritage (Val de Boí, a UNESCO world Heritage Listing, la Seu
d’urgell, Ripoll, Besalú, etc.) And includes a national park
(Aigüestortes and the Sant Maurici Lake), nature reserves such
the Volcanic area of Garrotxa and colourful towns (Puigcerdà,
Olot etc.)
The summers are quite cool and the winters are very cold.
Rainfall is abundant and it snows quite often in winter.
3. OUR COUNTRY
3.4. The Pyrennes
22. 3. OUR COUNTRY
The climate is Atlantic. Rainfall is very abundant,
temperatures are cold and it has some winds from
the Atlantic Ocean. We can find pine and fir forests,
Beech trees, Chestnuts trees, Elms and Ash trees.
The Vall d’Aran
area lies on the
western edges of the
Catalan Pyrenees, in
the north-west of the
country. It is located
on the northern
slopes of the
Pyrenees. Its river is
called the Garone
and it is surrounded
by very high peaks.
23. Skiing, adventure sports, hiking excursions,
mountaineering and climbing are some of the
activities one can do in the area.
3. OUR COUNTRY
Pic de la Gelada
Pic de Montaubona
24. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of the most important cities in the western
Mediterranean. Established in Roman times, the city has grown to be a leading centre
of culture in Europe with a strong economic base. Nowadays it has a population of
1,510,000 but this number increases dramatically if you count its surroundings.
Barcelona has lovely warm weather, with pleasant temperatures
all year around.
3. OUR COUNTRY
3.5. Barcelona, capital of Catalonia
Palau St. Jordi
Calatrava’s Bridge
Passeig de
Gràcia.
As seen from
the roof of
La PedreraGeneralitat de Catalunya
Parc Güell
The Beach
Port Olímpic
25. Barcelona is the undisputed capital of Modernism.
The Eixample district has many fine examples of this
style.
3. OUR COUNTRY
Palau de la Música
Typical corner in
the Eixample
Centre of an Eixample Block.
Terraces and trees, all arround
26. World famous building desiged by Gaudi are
found through the city. Outstanding examples
are Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Puig I Cadafalch
Casa Amatller and Domènech I Montaner.
3. OUR COUNTRY
Casa Amatller
Lleó Morera houseLa Pedrera Casa Batlló
27. 3. OUR COUNTRY
The Sagrada Família is know as the
symbol of Barcelona throughout the
world. It is in the proces of
construction. It is Gaudí masterpiece.
28. La Rambla is a tree-lined
route which runs down
from Plaça Catalunya to
the Columbus monument.
Along this urban
promenade is the Liceu,
one of the most
prestigious opera houses
in Europe.
3. OUR COUNTRY
29. 4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
The giants are figures that are more than three metres high
carried by people using a wooden structure. The capgrossos;
are big heads made of cardboard paste. They warm up the
main festivities with their dances and take part in processions.
4.1. The traditional giants
30. The devils or demons dance and run around streets and
hold crowns with fireworks on the top. From time to time
they explode and people run so as not to get burnt. This
kind of “game” is celebrated in different towns, usually
during the main festivals, or on special days. Children,
teenagers, men and, women join the crowds. It ‘s a fun
and enjoyable experience. Children love it, but it is also a
bit dangerous.
Participants disguised as demons.
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
4.2. Fire Festivals: the correfoc
31. At the midsummer in the “revetlla de Sant Joan” large
bonfires are built.
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
4.2. Fire Festivals: the Revetlla de Sant Joan
32. The human towers are formed in street festivals and
consist of pyramids formed of people. The one who is on
the top is the smallest one. People climb up on to other
people, as if they were stairs. There are many people on
the ground, to care for people who might fall down and to
make the base of the tower stronger.
The “castellers” are very popular in a large number of
towns and are named from their town of origin.
4.3. Human towers “the castellers”
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
33. The sardana is the most popular dance in Catalonia. The dancers form a
circle holding hands. They follow different types of steps according to the
music. The music is provided by a small group of musicians playing mainly
brass instruments. The Sardana is performed everywhere in Catalonia
mostly during the main festivities.
4.4. The Sardana
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
34. This is the major festival in Spring and takes place
on the 23rd of April. Saint George is the patron saint
of Catalonia. The day is dedicated to the book and
the rose ,gifts which are exchanged by friends and
lovers.
4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
4.5. Saint George
35. 4. FOLKLORE AND TRADITION
4.6. Diada de Catalunya
This is on September 11th each year.
This fantastic festival is a national holiday throughout Catalonia and
the Balearic Islands, reflecting the local importance of The Diada and
the affirmation of Catalonian nationality it signifies. September 11th is
the anniversary of the day in 1714 when the Franco-Spanish army
captured Barcelona, ending the region's autonomous status. The
annual commemoration of one of the most bloody and controversial
episodes of Catalonia's history is a genuinely patriotic expression of
emotion by the Catalonian people, and visitors to the region.
La Diada de Catalunya is enjoyed in a unique Catalan style offering
everyone a fantastic day of parties, including fireworks and is marked
by huge parades in cities, towns and villages across Catalonia. The
streets and balconies of the towns are customarily decorated with a
sea of Catalan flags and lined with people anticipating the amazing
processions. The Catalonian themed parade is accompanied by
traditional music and sardana dancing that continues throughout the
day.
36. 5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.
In Catalonia in Autumn there is a typical celebration, the
“CASTANYADA”. In the Castanyada, people eat Chestnuts, sweet
potatoes and “ Panellets”.
“ Panellets “ are little cakes made of sugar, marzipan, pine nuts
almonds and other good things.
5.1. Panellets
37. Two typical alcoholic drinks are:
Wine and Cava.
People drink wine and Cava at celebrations. Cava
is a sparkling wine like Champagne but made in
Catalonia.
5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK
Cava and wine cellars
5.2. Wine and cava
38. In Catalonia pork is eaten by most families. “Embotits”(Catalan
sausages) especially those from Vic are famous. There are different
varieties of sausages, such as black and white “botifarra”; “llonganisa”
traditional sausages flavoured with herbs and spices and “pernil”
which is air-cured ham from a leg of pork.
5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.
5.3. Embotits
39. Bread with tomato: “Pa amb tomaquet”
Tomato is rubbed on a slide of bread which is then season
with olive oil, salt and sometimes garlic. Bread prepared in this
way combines well a with cooked sausage and cold meat of
all kinds, cheese, anchovies, etc... This is a tasty, simple food
for to get-toghether with friends or family.
5. CATALAN FOOD AND DRINK.
5.4. Bread with tomato
40. 6. PRODUCED BY THE ETH GROUP.
Marc Almató
Núria Aumatell
Míriam Bellver
August Josep Boza
Abel Ferrer
Ramon Freixa
Laia Giménez
Cristina Godayol
Mireia Jutglar
Laura Martínez
Judit Oms
Queralt Pratsobreroca
Meritxell Pujolasos
Berta Sahuquillo
Gerard Soler
Tània Teixidor
Pol Tortosa
And by the teachers:
Elisa Minchillo
Maria Dolors Vila
