Vilanova i la Geltrú
Encyclopedia
Vilanova i la Geltrú (ˌbiɫəˈnɔβə j ɫə ʒəɫˈtɾu) is a city in the province of Barcelona
, Catalonia
, Spain
and the capital of the Garraf
comarca. Originally a fishing port, the city has a growing population of approximately 66,000, and is situated 40 km south-west of Barcelona
, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges
some 10 km to the north-east.
The town has a long history, reaching its heyday during the Romantic
period.
(1824–1901), the Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer
, which contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, as well as paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a large library. Vilanova also has a railway museum, the Museu del Ferrocarril de Vilanova i la Geltrú
.Near the beach are a miniature railway (track 5") managed by AFEVI www.afevi.org where holidays the trains (steam/petrol/electric) travel for children and adults
Apart from some renowned seafood restaurants, Vilanova is a recognised centre for xató
, a winter salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xató
(Xatonada) in tandem with nearby villages and towns.
Other notable festivals include Festa Major in early August and Carnaval (late February) which includes Les Comparses, in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets (candies) at each other. However, the most important festival in Vilanova is the "Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional", Vilanova International World Music Festival
, which has been held since 1981 and is the oldest world music
festival in Spain
.
team, CP Vilanova
, one of the most important in Spain
, and dispute the main League OK Liga
. In 2011 hosted the CERS Cup Final Four
.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, 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...
, 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 capital of the Garraf
Garraf
Garraf is a comarca in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, northern Spain.It is named after the Garraf Massif.-Municipalities:*Canyelles - pop. 3,127*Cubelles - pop. 10,617*Olivella - pop. 2,179*Sant Pere de Ribes - pop. 26,108...
comarca. Originally a fishing port, the city has a growing population of approximately 66,000, and is situated 40 km south-west of Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges
Sitges
*Church of Sant Bartolomeu i Santa Tecla . It houses two Gothic sepulchres , belonging to the an older church located on the same site...
some 10 km to the north-east.
The town has a long history, reaching its heyday during the Romantic
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
period.
Economy
Vilanova i la Geltrú's economy includes textile and paper industries. It also has iron foundries and an important agricultural sector. The harbour affords safe and deep anchorage; it has a lifeboat station and houses the headquarters of a large fishing fleet. The coasting trade is also considerable.Culture
Vilanova has a museum, founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat, Víctor BalaguerVictor Balaguer
Víctor Balaguer , Catalan Spanish politician and author, was born at Barcelona on 11 December 1824, and was educated at the university of his native city....
(1824–1901), the Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer
Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer
The Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer is a museum founded in 1884 by Víctor Balaguer, a Catalan politician and writer. Is one of Catalonia’s oldest and most singular museums...
, which contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, as well as paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a large library. Vilanova also has a railway museum, the Museu del Ferrocarril de Vilanova i la Geltrú
Railway Museum in Vilanova
The Museu del Ferrocarril in Vilanova i la Geltrú has a large collection of historic railway locomotives and other rolling stock in the stations old roundhouse and outside. Located close to the Railway station in Vilanova, 40 km south of Barcelona.-See also:*List of museums in Spain...
.Near the beach are a miniature railway (track 5") managed by AFEVI www.afevi.org where holidays the trains (steam/petrol/electric) travel for children and adults
Apart from some renowned seafood restaurants, Vilanova is a recognised centre for xató
Xató
Xató is a typical Catalan dish. Xató is a sauce made with almonds, hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and the nyora pepper...
, a winter salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xató
Xató
Xató is a typical Catalan dish. Xató is a sauce made with almonds, hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and the nyora pepper...
(Xatonada) in tandem with nearby villages and towns.
Other notable festivals include Festa Major in early August and Carnaval (late February) which includes Les Comparses, in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets (candies) at each other. However, the most important festival in Vilanova is the "Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional", Vilanova International World Music Festival
Vilanova International World Music Festival
Vilanova International World Music Festival is a multicultural festival of music, workshops and conferences, that is taking place every year along the third weekend of July, in Vilanova i la Geltrú, in Catalonia, Spain, since 1981. It is the oldest world music festival in Catalonia and also in...
, which has been held since 1981 and is the oldest world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
festival in 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...
.
Sport
The city has a roller hockeyRoller hockey (Quad)
Roller Hockey is a team sport that enjoys significant popularity in a number of Latin countries. Depending on territories, it is also known as Hóquei em Patins, International Style Ball hockey, Rink Hockey or Hardball Hockey. Roller Hockey was a demonstration rollersport in the 1992 Summer...
team, CP Vilanova
CP Vilanova
Club Patí Vilanova is a Roller Hockey team from Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia. It was founded in 1951. In 2011 was the 5th of OK Liga. Due to this fact will compete on the next edition of CERH European League in 2011-12.-Current Squad 2011–12:...
, one of the most important in 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 dispute the main League OK Liga
OK Liga
The OK Liga is the Spanish rink hockey league and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. Since 2009 it includes also a women's league.-Champions by year:-Performance by club:...
. In 2011 hosted the CERS Cup Final Four
2011 CERS Cup Final Four
The 2011 CERS Cup Final Four will be the 31st edition of the CERS Cup organized by CERH. It will be held in May 2011 in Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain....
.