Cap de Creus
Encyclopedia
Cap de Creus (ˈkab də ˈkɾɛws) is a peninsula and a headland located at the far NE of Catalonia
, some 25 km south from the French border. The nearest town is Figueres
, capital of the Alt Empordà
and birthplace of Salvador Dalí
. Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of mainland Catalonia
and therefore of Spain
and the Iberian Peninsula.
Presently the area is a Natural Park.
The peninsula has a surface of 190 square kilometres of an extraordinary landscape value; a windbeaten very rocky dry region, with almost no trees, in contrast with a seaside rich in minuscule creeks of deep blue sea to anchor. Mountains are the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees
, the natural border between France and Spain. The region is frequently swept by awful north wind "tramontana" (beyond mountains) which has caused many naval disasters. Cadaqués
is the most well known village, home of artists and writers, with sophisticated atmosphere, near Port Lligat
where Dalí built his home in a paradise small bay. El Port de la Selva
, with a little fishing harbour is less exploited, with good gastronomic recourses and pleasant terraces.
Sant Pere de Rodes
stands out at 500 m of altitude, with views of the Cap and the Pyrenees. It is a 11th century monastery whose first structures date from about 750 AD.
One legend tells that the Cap de Creus was hewn by Hercules
.
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, some 25 km south from the French border. The nearest town is Figueres
Figueres
Figueres is the capital of the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.The town is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by Dalí himself which attracts many visitors...
, capital of the Alt Empordà
Alt Empordà
Alt Empordà is a comarca in Catalonia, Spain, one of two into which Empordà was divided by the comarcal division of Catalonia in 1936.- Municipalities :Populations are as of 2001.*Agullana - pop. 668*Albanyà - pop. 99*L'Armentera - pop. 742...
and birthplace of Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
. Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of mainland Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
and therefore of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the Iberian Peninsula.
Presently the area is a Natural Park.
The peninsula has a surface of 190 square kilometres of an extraordinary landscape value; a windbeaten very rocky dry region, with almost no trees, in contrast with a seaside rich in minuscule creeks of deep blue sea to anchor. Mountains are the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, the natural border between France and Spain. The region is frequently swept by awful north wind "tramontana" (beyond mountains) which has caused many naval disasters. Cadaqués
Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a town in the Alt Empordà comarca, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It is on a bay in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula, near Cap de Creus cape, on the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean...
is the most well known village, home of artists and writers, with sophisticated atmosphere, near Port Lligat
Port Lligat
Port Lligat or Portlligat is a small village located in a small bay on Cap de Creus peninsula, on the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean Sea, near the city of Cadaqués in the Alt Empordà comarca, in Girona province, Catalonia, Spain...
where Dalí built his home in a paradise small bay. El Port de la Selva
El Port de la Selva
El Port de la Selva is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Empordà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the northern coast of the Cap de Creus and is an important fishing port and tourist centre...
, with a little fishing harbour is less exploited, with good gastronomic recourses and pleasant terraces.
Sant Pere de Rodes
Sant Pere de Rodes
Sant Pere de Rodes is a former Benedictine monastery in the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the North East of Catalonia, Spain.-Location:It is in the municipal area of El Port de la Selva in the province of Girona, Spain. It has been constructed in the side of the Verdera mountain below the ruins of...
stands out at 500 m of altitude, with views of the Cap and the Pyrenees. It is a 11th century monastery whose first structures date from about 750 AD.
One legend tells that the Cap de Creus was hewn by Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
.