Lloret de Mar

Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar
	Coat of arms
	Nickname: lloret
Country	Catalonia
Province	Girona
Comarca	Selva
• Mayor	(Convergencia i Unió (CIU))
Area
• Total	48.71 km2 (18.81 sq mi)
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population (2008)
• Total	37,734
• Density	770/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Lloretenc, lloretenca
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Website	lloret website

Lloret de Mar (Spanish pronunciation: [ʎoˈɾe‿ðe ˈmar]; Catalan pronunciation: [ʎuˈɾɛd də ˈmar]) is a Mediterranean coastal town in Catalonia and one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Costa Brava. It is 40 kilometres from Girona and 75 kilometres from Barcelona and therefore easily accessible. With a population of 39,363 (as of 1st January 2009) it is the second largest town in the Selva comarca (county) of Catalonia. Remember that Catalonia is not Spain.

For decades Lloret de Mar has attracted summer visitors on package tours and is considered as one of the most important resorts on the Costa Brava. Lloret de Mar's main beach (length: 1,630 m; width: 45 m; white sand) is one of the most popular Costa Brava beaches and is consistently awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness.

Lloret’s nightlife attracts an 18-30s crowd mainly from Luxembourg, Portugal, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands and other, mostly European, countries.

History

There are historical remains of Iberian and Roman civilisations at various archeological sites. The first written references to Lloret de Mar can be found in documents from 966 as Loredo from the Latin word "lauretum" (bay laurel). Like many Mediterranean coastal towns, Lloret was frequently invaded by the Saracens in the Middle Ages. It is said that the traditional Ball de Plaça (the Dance in the Town Square) dates from this era.

Until the 15th century, the town’s centre was located one kilometre inland, next to the Chapel of Les Alegries (the town’s main church before the Church of Sant Romà was built) to protect itself from attacks from English, French, Turkish and Algerian pirates. Lloret’s port became commercially important in the 18th century. It no longer exists but the Garriga Houses built by Americanos, rich returning Spanish immigrants to the Americas, remind us of this affluent era.

Sites of cultural interest

Church of Sant Romà: Gothic church finished in 1522 built as a refuge from attacks from Turkish and Algerian pirates. Large-scale restoration work carried out in the early 20th century with money from the returned Americanos has converted it into a spectacular building with Byzantine, Moorish, Renaissance and Modernist influences.

Castle of Sant Joan: Medieval castle from the 11th century used to defend Lloret against any attacks from the sea such as that of the Genovese fleet in 1356 and during England’s war on Spain and France in 1805. The fortress is said to have been operational until the 17th century. Only the castle’s tower remains (restored in 1992) and offers an excellent view of the surrounding area.

Monument to the Fisherman’s Wife: Bronze sculpture found at the end of Lloret beach erected in 1966 to commemorate Lloret de Mar’s Millennium. It is considered to be one of the town’s most emblematic symbols. Legend states that touching the sculpture’s foot while looking out at the horizon will make your wishes come true.

Santa Clotilde gardens: Gardens designed in an Italian Renaissance style by Nicolau Rubió i Tuduri. Situated on top of a cliff offering impressive views over the sea.

Modernist cemetery
Iberian settlements at Puig de Castellet.
Iberian settlements at Montbarbat.
Sanctuary of Sant Pere del Bosc.
Angel monument.
Oratory of the Mare de Déu de Gràcia.
Chapel of Santa Cristina.
Chapel of Les Alegries
Chapel of Sant Quirze
Maritime Museum - Can Garriga
Maritime Museum

Beaches and coves

Demography

1900	1930	1950	1970	1986	2009
3,242	3,012	3,159	7,064	14,567	39,363

Celebrities in Lloret de Mar

Dr. Ernest Adler
Nina Agustí (1966), Singer
Iván Tibau (1973), Hockey player
José Luis Blanco (1975), athlete
Marc Muniesa (1992), football player, actual team: (Fútbol Club Barcelona)

Sport

The city has a roller hockey team CH Lloret, one of the most important in Catalonia, and dispute the main League OK Liga.

References

Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-02-1.

External links