What to see in Calella

2024 Author: Graham Hoggarth | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 10:26

The small resort town of Calella is located in the Mediterranean region of the Costa Brava, 58 kilometers from Barcelona. In addition to luxurious sandy beaches, there are also several interesting old buildings preserved here. So what to see in Calella?

The symbol of Calella is its graceful lighthouse overlooking the sea. Now it houses a miniature museum dedicated to the construction of the lighthouse and is especially popular with children. It is also worth climbing the nearby Las Torretes mountain, on top of which are the picturesque ruins of ancient towers that previously served as an optical telegraph.

In Calella itself, several interesting medieval mansions have survived, one of which houses an ethnographic museum that tells about the history of the city. Away from the sea, there is a huge Dalmau park with luxurious pine trees and fragrant honeysuckle. And a couple of kilometers from the city itself on the top of a hill rises the ancient medieval castle of Montpalau.

It is also worth going to the nearby town of Blanes, considered the oldest in the Costa Brava region. There are also many beaches, luxury hotels, medieval castles, ancient churches and two luxurious botanical gardens at once.

TOP 10 attractions in Calella

Lighthouse

The city lighthouse is the symbol of Calella. It rises on a hill 50 meters above sea level. There used to be an ancient watchtower on this cliff, which was part of a chain of defensive fortifications, but it was destroyed. The modern building of the lighthouse was inaugurated at the end of 1859, and in 1927 it was electrified. However, many details of the structure of the lighthouse have not been updated, which does not prevent it from functioning perfectly 150 years after its construction. The light emanating from the Calella lighthouse is visible at a distance of 33 kilometers.

The lighthouse is open for tourist visits only on weekends and only in the mornings. In 2011, the lighthouse building was transformed into a museum that tells how the lighthouse works. Now the lighthouse of Calella, considered a symbol of the city, is wildly popular - children will learn a lot of interesting things when visiting the museum, and from the observation deck, a stunning view of the Calella beach and the Mediterranean Sea opens up.

By the way, not far from the lighthouse there is another symbol of the city - the ruins of the old optical telegraph Las Turretas

Ethnographical museum

One of the largest ethnographic museums is located in Calella, combined with the Pinakothek and the city archive. It occupies several buildings at once - partly the museum is housed in an old 17th century mansion with graceful windows and an oval portal. The history of this building is curious - there was a city prison here for some time.

The Ethnographic Museum was founded back in 1959, but the grand opening took place twenty years later. Now the museum hosts several exhibitions telling about the history of Calella and the entire region.

The archeology department presents a variety of finds discovered during archaeological excavations: coins, amphorae, tiles, antique ceramics. The exhibits date back to the period of the domination of the Roman Empire, the oldest of which dates back to the 1st century BC. In addition to artifacts, you can see more ancient fossils and minerals here.
The museum also displays modern ceramics made in the 17th-19th centuries. Ornate panels and brightly glazed dishes can be seen here.
Several departments are dedicated to the development of the textile industry in Calella. Among the exhibits, old English and German sewing machines, including those from the famous Singer company, stand out, as well as a unique wooden machine considered to be the oldest in the entire region. The museum also displays clothing from the 18th to 20th centuries, including a sumptuous embroidered wedding dress and an amazing artfully crafted corduroy vest made back in 1799.
The ethnographic exhibition tells about the history, culture and crafts of the inhabitants of Calella, dating back to the Middle Ages. In addition to household items and kitchen utensils of the 19th century, the museum also retains the curious setting of a city pharmacy from the beginning of the 20th century.
The Pinakothek houses the amazing works of the contemporary artist Luis Gallart y Garcia. The archive building contains unique documents related to the history of the city. The residents of Calella themselves are engaged in replenishing the archive, while the oldest of the presented documents dates back to the 11th century.

Las Torretas

On the territory of Calella there is a small hill, the height of which reaches 118 meters. At its top, powerful medieval defenses used to rise, and in the 19th century, curious towers were installed here, serving as an optical telegraph - a device capable of transmitting light signals over long distances.

The stone towers were built in 1848-1857, but did not serve for a long time - already in 1861 technical progress came to Calella - a railway was built here. Soon, these two-story towers fell into disrepair. Now they are refined ruins, visible even from the city beach.

Not far from the towers of Las Torretas is the famous lighthouse, which is considered the symbol of the city.

Beach

Calella is famous for its huge city beach, stretching for more than two kilometers. The beach is covered with warm golden sand, while its southern part is considered to be quieter. And in secluded rocky coves, a special nudist beach is equipped, where you can swim without any clothes at all.

Calella Beach offers a wide range of entertainment, including for those who like active rest - there are all opportunities for windsurfing, and you can also rent a motor boat, pleasure boat or catamaran. The beach is also dotted with cafes, bars and beach soccer or volleyball courts. Diving enthusiasts should also visit the more distant Roca Grossa beach.

Promenade

A cozy pedestrian promenade runs along the entire coastline of Calella. Palm trees and plane trees rise on both sides, protecting tourists from the scorching sun. Cozy cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants are also scattered here. And after sunset, the promenade comes to life - there are also many bars and nightclubs where they dance incendiary flamenco.

The arrangement of the promenade began in the middle of the 19th century, and ended already in 1927, when the famous local architect Jeroni Martorell y Terrats began work. It was he who decorated the alley with magnificent obelisks. Martorell y Terrats built many other city buildings, including the central market and the public library. Both of these buildings are luxuriously decorated with elements that imitate the Baroque style. By the way, Martorell y Terrats also designed the famous Dalmau Park, located within the city limits.

Church of Santa Maria

The main city church was consecrated in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas. The modern church building was erected in 1747 in the neoclassical style after the older structure was destroyed after the fall of the bell tower.

In the exterior of the Church of Santa Maria, the huge baroque main entrance to the temple stands out, which has been preserved since the 16th century. The main facade is also decorated with a small rose window, reliefs with saints and various statues located in niches. The architectural appearance of the building is complemented by a bell tower, the height of which reaches 42 meters.

Gothic Quarter

In Calella, many old buildings have survived, erected in the XIV-XVII centuries in the Gothic and Baroque styles. One of them now houses the city ethnographic museum. Most of the Gothic buildings, including the ancient chapel of St. Elmo, are located on the rue Francesc Bartrin.

The Caen Rodon mansion was built in the 16th century. It consists of three floors and stands out for its oval portal with graceful Gothic windows.
The small house of Kahn Bartrin was built even earlier - in the XIV century. Its exterior is dominated by an unusual tower, which is much higher than the house itself. The facade of the building is luxuriously decorated with sculpture and graceful reliefs.
The ancient chapel of St. Elmo, dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, is adjacent to the house of Can Bartrin. It is a small one-story building with an uneven sloping roof and a graceful belfry. The chapel was built in the 16th century and for a long time performed various functions - it housed a school, and also held popular meetings. Subsequently, it was consecrated in honor of two other saints, now it is the chapel of San Quirze and Santa Julita.

Dalmau park

The luxurious Dalmau Park was designed by renowned local architect Jeroni Martorell y Terrats. This vast green area is located within the city and is wildly popular with tourists and locals alike.

The Dalmau Park is divided into two zones - with the lower garden set aside almost entirely for a banana grove. But on the upper tier grows a more diverse Mediterranean vegetation - the famous pine trees and stone oaks, as well as fragrant shrubs - rosemary and honeysuckle. In the center of the park there is an elegant Lion Fountain, where usually timid titmouses sometimes swim.

Dalmau Park provides all the conveniences for its visitors - there are practically no wild thickets here, all trails are completely ennobled. And for younger guests, the park has many playgrounds and various attractions.

You can enter the park through the tourism office. Address - Parc Dalmau, Carrer de Sant Jaume, 321.

Montpalau Castle

Three kilometers from Calella is the Montpalau hill, overgrown with greenery, which reaches a height of 265 meters. At its top is the eponymous medieval castle that belonged to the Viscounts of Cabrera - the rulers and owners of these places.

The hill itself has a rich history - the first settlements appeared here in antiquity. During archaeological excavations, many unique artifacts were discovered, dating back to the 4th century BC.

The first fortified building appeared here in the 11th century. Repeatedly, this small fort was completed and additionally strengthened. It is believed that it was uninhabitable and was only used for military defensive purposes.

Now Montpalau Castle lies in picturesque ruins. You can see the powerful sheer wall of the fortress, a thick round tower, as well as the remains of an ancient chapel of the 12th century, consecrated in honor of the Archangel Michael.

Blanes

The coastal town of Blanes is considered the oldest in the entire Costa Brava. It is located 10 kilometers from Calella and is known as a popular resort - Blanes beach is almost 4 kilometers in length. However, many other interesting sights have survived on the territory of the city:

The Church of Santa Maria is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Despite a serious fire during the Civil War of the 1930s, the magnificent facade of the temple and its graceful bell tower with arcades were preserved.
The medieval castle of San Juan rises on top of a hill that reaches 180 meters in height. Now this fortress, which belonged to the Viscounts of Cabrera - the rulers and owners of these places, is partially destroyed, but a convenient observation deck was equipped here, from where a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea opens. In clear weather, you can even make out the silhouette of Montjuic, located near Barcelona - that is, 60 kilometers to the south. The castle itself was built in the 13th century.
Blanes is famous for its two splendid botanical gardens: Mar y Murtra and Pinia de Rosa. More than ten thousand plant species grow in them. There are many luxurious Mediterranean trees and shrubs, as well as cacti and unusual tropical plants. The terrain is hilly and the view of the steep slopes, immersed in greenery, creates an indescribable impression.