![Plaça de les Cols (Vilanova i la Geltrú)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Pla%C3%A7a_de_les_Cols_%28Vilanova_i_la_Geltr%C3%BA%29.jpg)
Vilanova i la Geltrú () is the capital city of
Garraf
Garraf (), better known as El Garraf (), is a comarca (county) in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, northern Spain. It is named after the Garraf Massif.
The GR 92 long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterrane ...
''
comarca
A ''comarca'' (, or , or ) is a traditional region or local administrative division found in Portugal, Spain and some of their former colonies, like Brazil, Nicaragua, and Panama. The term is derived from the term ''marca'', meaning a "march, ...
'', in the
province of Barcelona
Barcelona (, ) is a province of eastern Spain, in the center of the autonomous community of Catalonia. The province is bordered by the provinces of Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona, and by the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is .Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the north ...
, Spain. Historically a fishing port, the city has a growing population of approximately 66,000, and is situated 40 km south-west of
Barcelona
Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
, with the more famous coastal resort of
Sitges
Sitges (, , ) is a town about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, in Spain, renowned worldwide for its Film Festival, Carnival, and LGBT Culture. Located between the Garraf Massif and the Mediterranean Sea, it is known for its beaches, nightspot ...
some 10 km to the north-east.
The
GR 92
The GR 92 is part of the extensive GR footpath network of paths, tracks and trails in Spain. It will eventually run the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, from Portbou, on the border with France to Tarifa, the most southerly point of Sp ...
long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, has a staging point at Vilanova i la Geltrú. Stage 22 links northwards to
Garraf
Garraf (), better known as El Garraf (), is a comarca (county) in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, northern Spain. It is named after the Garraf Massif.
The GR 92 long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterrane ...
, a distance of , whilst stage 23 links southwards to
Calafell
Calafell () is a village in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.
Tourism
The town is located at the heart of the Baix Penedès region; the gateway to the Costa Daurada, its economy depends heavily on tourism. Th ...
, a distance of .
History
The town has a long history, and experienced an efflorescence during the
Romantic period evidenced by a wealth of opulent 19th century buildings. The atmospheric town square, the Plaça de la Vila, and many of its iconic public buildings were principally financed by Josep Tomàs Ventosa Soler (1797-1874) a textile magnate who made his fortune in Cuba. A monument featuring a bronze statue of Ventosa stands in the center of the square. An identical monument stands in
Matanzas
Matanzas (Cuban ) is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. Known for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore, it is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas (Spanish ''Bahia de Matanzas''), east ...
,
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
, where both statues were forged. Today, children play around the monument and agile climbers from castellers to protestors to carnival pranksters climb the statue and adorn it with their own symbols (see photo).
![Ventosa per la independència](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Ventosa_per_la_independ%C3%A8ncia.jpg)
During the dictatorship, large numbers of people fleeing poverty in Southern Spain settled in Vilanova. They are sometimes referred to by historians as "fugitives of fascism." Although they experienced prejudice they became increasingly accepted and known as ''els altres Vilanovins'' or "the other Vilanovins." By 1970, a majority of the town's population had been born elsewhere. In the first decade of the 21st century, there was another wave of immigrants (called ''nouvinguts'' or "newcomers" locally), this time primarily from North Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.
Economy
Agriculture and the maritime trade in wine were the traditional sources of income during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, while agriculture and a significant fishing fleet continue to be sources of income, the primary economic activity is industry in the sectors of metal, textile and chemicals.
Vilanova i la Geltrú has embraced new technologies for generations and has had a vocational and traditional university since 1902, along with the UPC (
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
The Technical University of Catalonia ( ca, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, , es, link=no, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña; UPC), currently referred to as BarcelonaTech, is the largest engineering university in Catalonia, Spai ...
). The building Neapolis Public Innovation Agency for ICT and multimedia, was built in 2006.
Located 45 km from
Barcelona
Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
and 45 km from
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; Phoenician: ''Tarqon''; la, Tarraco) is a port city located in northeast Spain on the Costa Daurada by the Mediterranean Sea. Founded before the fifth century BC, it is the capital of the Province of Tarragona, and part of Tar ...
, it has the third largest port of
Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the north ...
and is a major fishing port. Th
Brotherhood of Pescadors of Vilanovaderives from the powerful and ancient Brotherhood of Sant Elm (founded in 1579). In 1921 the new Pòsit de Pescadors (Fishermen's Archive) was founded. Today fresh fish may be purchased directly on the Internet fish auction.
Vilanova i la Geltrú has
estació Nàuticawhich hosts major sailing competitions at the national and international levels.
The city has seven Civic Centers that provide social services, host cultural activities and promote civic participation and ''
convivència Convivència is the public policy on social coexistence in Catalonia, Spain; government projects, departments and ordinances promote the principle broadly. Originally, convivència was presented as a policy to integrate immigrant populations and bui ...
'' or engaged relations between neighbors. On April 7, 2014, the city enacted a Municipal Ordinance to Promote Civility and
Convivència Convivència is the public policy on social coexistence in Catalonia, Spain; government projects, departments and ordinances promote the principle broadly. Originally, convivència was presented as a policy to integrate immigrant populations and bui ...
with the objective of establishing norms of mutual respect, social cohesion and full respect for the dignity and rights of a plurality of expressions and cultural forms. Vilanova's office of the Consortium for Linguistic Normalization offers free courses in the Catalan language and other services in the welcome of newcomers.
Special programs are offered at the University Campus of the Mediterranean Interdisciplinary Reference Center, including courses in Society, Culture and Tourism, Environment, Information Society, Science and Technology, and Economics and Business.
Th
University Campus of the Mediterraneanis an initiative of th
City Council of Vilanova i La Geltrú th
Polytechnic University of Catalonia
an
European Institute of the Mediterraneanunder the aegis of the Municipal Institute of Education and Work
IMET.
One of the centers of research, development and innovation is found in a unique building designed by the Catalan architect
Oriol Bohigas i Guardiola
Oriol Bohigas i Guardiola (20 December 1925 – 30 November 2021) was a Spanish architect and urban planner, known for his work in the modernization of Barcelona.
Early life
Bohigas was born in Barcelona, Spain, on 20 December 1925 in a Catal ...
Edifici Neapolis This building is part of the European Network of Living Lab
(ENoLL) In 2012, it initiated the Co-Working Center coinciding with the International Year of Cooperatives recognized by th
United Nations
Its population has increased in recent years. Currently several large projects are underway such as the extension of the beach, the polygon "Sant Jordi" (
St. George
Saint George (Greek: Γεώργιος (Geórgios), Latin: Georgius, Arabic: القديس جرجس; died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was a Christian who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to tradition he was a soldier ...
) pattern 'Catalunya', and the future redevelopment of the waterfront.
Transport
Vilanova is linked to the region by highway
C-32, also known as highway Pau Casals, or to the Garraf Barcelona motorway providing a connection to
Barcelona–El Prat Airport, the highway C-15, also known by the name Eix Diagonal, which links the historic town of
Manresa
Manresa () is the capital of the Comarca of Bages, located in the geographical centre of Catalonia, Spain, and crossed by the river Cardener. It is an industrial area with textile, metallurgical, and glass industries. The houses of Manresa are ...
and
Autovía A-7
The Autovía A-7 (also called ''Autovia del Mediterráneo'') is a Spanish autovía (toll-free limited-access highway) which starts in La Jonquera, near the French frontier and ends in Algeciras.
It was finally finished in late 2015 upon complet ...
with the
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the ea ...
.
The Railway of Vilanova is of vital importance. Built between 1882 and 1884 by the developer and director of roads
Jeroni Granell i Mundet the railway links the línia of Rodalies
Sant Vincenç de Calders -
Maçanet de la Selva
Maçanet de la Selva () is a Spanish municipality in the province of Girona, situated in the ''comarca'' of the Selva, Catalonia. It is an important communications junction, where the routes from the coast meet those from the Prelittoral Depress ...
and connects to the imperial Roman city of
Tarragona
Tarragona (, ; Phoenician: ''Tarqon''; la, Tarraco) is a port city located in northeast Spain on the Costa Daurada by the Mediterranean Sea. Founded before the fifth century BC, it is the capital of the Province of Tarragona, and part of Tar ...
, the town of
Tortosa
Tortosa (; ) is the capital of the ''Catalonia/Comarques, comarca'' of Baix Ebre, in Catalonia, Spain.
Tortosa is located at above sea level, by the Ebro river, protected on its northern side by the mountains of the Cardó Massif, of which Buin ...
, the town of
Reus
Reus () is the capital of Baix Camp, in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. The area has always been an important producer of wines and spirits, and gained continental importance at the time of the Phylloxera plague. Nowadays it is k ...
, and the City of
Lleida
Lleida (, ; Spanish: Lérida ) is a city in the west of Catalonia, Spain. It is the capital city of the province of Lleida.
Geographically, it is located in the Catalan Central Depression. It is also the capital city of the Segrià comarca, as ...
.
The
GR 92
The GR 92 is part of the extensive GR footpath network of paths, tracks and trails in Spain. It will eventually run the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, from Portbou, on the border with France to Tarifa, the most southerly point of Sp ...
long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, has a staging point at Vilanova i la Geltrú. Stage 22 links northwards to
Garraf
Garraf (), better known as El Garraf (), is a comarca (county) in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, northern Spain. It is named after the Garraf Massif.
The GR 92 long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterrane ...
, whilst stage 23 links southwards to
Calafell
Calafell () is a village in the province of Tarragona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.
Tourism
The town is located at the heart of the Baix Penedès region; the gateway to the Costa Daurada, its economy depends heavily on tourism. Th ...
.
Culture
The traditional and popular festivals (festes) celebrated in Vilanova i la Geltrú are among the richest and most varied in Catalonia. Locals say that Vilanovins "always have a leg in the air" referring to their festive proclivity. And it is through participating in local festivals that Vilanovins, whether natives or recently arrived newcomers, intensify their sense of belonging to a community dedicated to active engagement between neighbors or ''
convivència Convivència is the public policy on social coexistence in Catalonia, Spain; government projects, departments and ordinances promote the principle broadly. Originally, convivència was presented as a policy to integrate immigrant populations and bui ...
''.
Carnaval, held in late February, culminates in a week-long debauch of dances, masquerades, social satire, mock battles, permitted disrespect, feasts, processions, and pranks all in honor of Sa Majastat el Rei Carnestoltes (His Majesty the King Carnival) also known as the "king of the senseless" celebrated for his prodigious sexual prowess and devastating satire. Up to a third of the population participates in Les Comparses, a couples dance in which rival groups hurl hard candies at one another in what is called the Sweet War. Children are given a day off school to celebrate Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday) during which they celebrate the Merengada, a day long orgy of eating and fighting with sticky sweet meringue, leaving a sticky residue throughout the town. While many of the acts of carnaval remain constant, every year there are innovations and topical satire attacking the foibles of the rich, powerful, inept and corrupt.
[Erickson, Brad. 2008. Sensory Politics: Catalan Ritual and the New Immigration. University of California, Berkeley.]
![Correfoc, Festa Major 2012](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Correfoc%2C_Festa_Major_2012.jpg)
Since 1784, Vilanovins have celebrated their Festa Major in early August, dedicated to the city's patron saint, the Virgin of the Snows (Mare de Déu de les Neus). Processions begin with a
correfoc of ritual devils led by the
Ball de Diables de Vilanova i la Geltrú
A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but can sometimes be ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used f ...
, established in 1832 and one of eight dances of devils in Catalonia with a history of one hundred years or more.
![Port Vilanova](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Port_Vilanova.jpg)
The processions include traditional dances by costumed figures including the dances of the Serrallonga,
Ball de Bastons
''Ball de bastons'' (, ''stick dance'') is the name of a ritual weapon dance spread throughout Europe and the rest of the Iberian area (''cossiers'' in Majorca, Portuguese ''pauliteiros'', Aragonese ''palotiau'', Basque ''ezpatadantza'' and Spani ...
, Cintes, Panderos, Cap-grossos (big-headed dwarfs), Cercolets, Pastorets, Gitanes, and Valencians; imaginary beings such as Gegants (giants), Dracs (fire-breathing dragons), and Mulasses (demonic Mules), and the construction of towering human castles (
castell).
![Paddle Surf en la playa de Ribes Roges](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Paddle_Surf_en_la_playa_de_Ribes_Roges.jpg)
Other festes celebrated in Vilanova include
Tots Sants (November 1), Nadal (December 25), Cap d'Any (January 1), els
Tres Tombs (January 17), la
Diada de Sant Jordi
The Day of Books and Roses, April 23, is celebrated in Catalonia, Spain. This day is also known as La Diada de Sant Jordi in Catalan. On this day love and literature are celebrated throughout Catalonia. Books and roses are exchanged.
Contempora ...
(April 23), Nit de Sant Joan (St John's Night) and Sant Pere (St Peter's Day).
![Escultura de la cola de una ballena](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Escultura_de_la_cola_de_una_ballena.jpg)
Of international importance is the "Festival Internacional de Música Popular Tradicional",
Vilanova International World Music Festival Vilanova International World Music Festival is a multicultural festival of music, workshops and conferences, that takes place every year on the third weekend of July, in Vilanova i la Geltrú, in Catalonia, Spain. Started in 1981, it is the oldest ...
, which has been held since 1981 and is the oldest
world music festival in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
.
![Ribes Roges](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Ribes_Roges.jpg)
Vilanova has a museum, founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat,
Víctor Balaguer Víctor is a Spanish masculine given name, equivalent to Victor in English and Vítor in Portuguese. Notable people with the given name include:
*Víctor Cabrera (Argentine footballer)
*Víctor Cabrera (Chilean footballer)
* Víctor Hugo Cabrera, ...
(1824–1901), the
Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer
The Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer (Víctor Balaguer Museum & Library) is located in Vilanova i la Geltrú and was founded in 1884 by Víctor Balaguer so as to thank the city for its support during his politician career. Since 2000 the museu ...
, 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 which contains one of the largest collections of historic steam engines in the world.
Apart from traditional seafood restaurants, and cutting edge presentations of local foods at culinary destinations such as L'Oganquit and Genito, Vilanova is a recognised centre for
xató
Xató () is a typical Catalan dish. It is a sauce made with almonds, hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and the nyora pepper. The sauce is often served with an endive salad prepared with anchovy, tuna and dried and sa ...
, 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 () is a typical Catalan dish. It is a sauce made with almonds, hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and the nyora pepper. The sauce is often served with an endive salad prepared with anchovy, tuna and dried and sa ...
(''Xatonada'') in tandem with nearby villages and towns. Other local innovations include ''glòries'', elaborate confections of meringue presented during carnaval that may be a dying tradition, and the ''Mig-Mig'', a refreshing summer drink invented at the gelateria Cal Llorens, is a fifty-fifty blend of ''
orxata
Horchata (; ), or (), is a name given to various beverages, which are generally plant-based, but sometimes contain animal milk. In Spain, it is made with soaked, ground, and sweetened tiger nuts. In Latin America and other parts of the Americas ...
de xufa'' made from tigernuts and ''granissat de llimona'' or pulverized ice with lemon syrup.
Folklore
Tradition maintains that Vila Nova (the new town) was founded by people fleeing the abuses of the feudal lord of the castle la Geltrú, particularly his exercise of the
Droit du seigneur
('right of the lord'), also known as ('right of the first night'), was a supposed legal right in medieval Europe, allowing feudal lords to have sexual relations with subordinate women, in particular, on the wedding nights of the women.
A maj ...
or ''jus primae noctis'' but there is no evidence that this is the case. Other traditions recount conflicts with invading Moors, the coming of the railroad, the inaccessible tunnels beneath the city and stories of a youth confounded by the reflection of the full moon in the water from which Vilanovins receive the nickname ''llunàtics'' (lunatics), in reference to a supposed mercurial quality of unpredictable emotions. Rather than a static tradition, folklore and festa in Vilanova are often used as a public way to respond to current events from immigration to national politics or to defy fears of new epidemics. In an annual children's Christmas play, the troubling ethnic caricature of the Moorish pirate, Moro Manani was replaced by the traditional Catalan figure the
Caganer
A Caganer () is a figurine depicted in the act of defecation appearing in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas with Catalan culture such as Andorra, Valencia, Balearic Islands, and Northern Catalonia (in southern France). It is mo ...
and the avian flu scare was satirized in 2006 by the carnaval figure ''Moixó Foguer''.
[Diari de Vilanova. 2006. Plomes amb control sanitari per al Moixó. February 24.]
Sports
The city has a
roller hockey team,
CP Vilanova
Club Patí Vilanova is a roller hockey team from Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia. It was founded in 1951. In 2013–14 season, the male team finished in bottom place with zero points, thus being relegated to Primera División.
Trophies
*Copa de ...
, one of the most important in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
, and a member of the main national roller hockey league
OK Liga
The OK Liga is the Spanish rink hockey league.
History
The league was founded in 1969 as División de Honor as an expansion to all the Spanish territory of the Catalan Championship. Until 1971 teams from outside Catalonia did not join the competit ...
. In 2011 Vilanova hosted the
CERS Cup Final Four.
Sister Cities
Notable people
*
Francesc Macià
Francesc Macià i Llussà (; 21 September 1859 – 25 December 1933) was a Spanish politician from Catalonia who served as the 122nd president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, and formerly an officer in the Spanish Army.
Politically, he evolve ...
(1859–1933), President of Catalonia from 1932 to 1933.
*
Marc Soler (1993), professional cyclist, who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam
UAE Team Emirates
UAE Team Emirates () is an Emirati road bicycle racing team. The team competes at UCI WorldTeam level and has done so since the UCI World Tour was formed as the top category of road cycling in 2005. However the team was temporarily suspended fro ...
.
References
* Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). ''Guia de Catalunya'', Barcelona: Caixa de Catalunya. (Spanish). (Catalan).
External links
Museu del Ferrocarril de Vilanova i la GeltruCity hall web pageGovernment data pages
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vilanova I La Geltru
Seaside resorts in Spain