Carme, Spain

Carme
Municipality
Sant Martí church square
Coat of arms
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Barcelona
Comarca	Anoia
Government
• Mayor	Jordi Sellarès Poch (2015)
Area
• Total	11.7 km2 (4.5 sq mi)
Population  (2014)
• Total	817
• Density	70/km2 (180/sq mi)
Website	www.carme.cat

Carme is a municipality in the comarca of the Anoia in Catalonia, Spain. Specifically, the town is in the middle of a valley, which is composed of a band of the range Orpinell (751 m.) and the other by the Collbàs (544 m.). The village is anchored to the bottom of the valley, in the woods and subtle section of large populations. The capital of the region of Anoia, Igualada, is just ten kilometers from the village, while other municipalities La Pobla de Claramunt or Capellades are barely about five kilometers from the village. Currently the village has approximately 800 inhabitants, but in holiday seasons this figure may be slightly increased.

The village has all the basic services fully independently (pharmacy, grocery store, restaurants, swimming pool, kiosk, rural accommodation, bakery or medical services) and permanent, which avoids long journeys when carrying daily activities. But as we have already mentioned beforehand, the capital of the region is barely ten minutes drive, allowing fluid communication with all services, whether available local, state or national. Otherwise the capital, Barcelona, is located just one hour from the village, is a particular way by car or public transport.

However the look and the space in which is the town of Carmen are completely different from that presented in the Catalan capital. As we said Carmen is in the middle of a valley, forest, terraces and gardens are what really brings the essence rural town. Carmen has managed to adapt to modernity and new technologies without losing its essence and traditions.

History

Historically the town can place it at the end of the Middle Ages, although the first historical documents of the town speak of the late seventeenth century. At the time of the Arab conquest and during the same average age (s. X-XV), much of Catalonia, or what is the same, then the Aragonese crown was partially occupied by Muslims. This caused the middle of the country formed a series of fortifications in order to monitor the progress of Muslims to Europe today. This set of fortifications known as the border castles, and correspond to a fictitious line drawn through the current central Catalonia allowing visually dominate a vast territory and defend it quickly and efficiently. Some castles then be visited on route "border castles of the Middle Ages" along the Catalan territory. In fact, the Anoia region is one of the most preserved castles and small fortresses, and allows for a very similar to the reality of that time. One of the best preserved and restored castles is the La Pobla de Claramunt, located five kilometers from the town of Carmen and you can enjoy medieval art in a quiet and without car. Some of these other castles and fortresses are Orpí of the Calaf, mirrors, etc.

As for Carmen, note that the town had also once had a small fortress, as in the village have been some elements of what is supposed to have been the defense tower of the village. However, and in contrast to the case of Puebla, Carme currently there are no fortification, but some elements that allow us to deduce the medieval past of the town.

On the other hand, basing the still we see the light of day, notably the Church of Carmen as the main monument and tourist attraction of the town. The building dating from the early eighteenth century and called the "Church of San Martin de Carmen" has a Latin cross nave and a neoclassical base. However, and according to studies by experts, it is believed that before the current exhibition there was another one of the oldest, namely the end of the Middle Ages and Romanesque base completely. This first church was on the other side of the stream, particularly in the current "Cal Ros" space now recently found some of the remains of the temple, which allow us to observe and better contextualize that first religious space .

According to most sources sign at the beginning of 1700 Carmen undergoing a major demographic and economic growth, built the new religious temple. Currently this is the village church, where they celebrate the traditional local and national festivals of the village, along with religious activities.

Culture

Carme enjoys a rich cultural activity, despite having less than one thousand inhabitants, has a rich cultural tradition. Caramelles, worship the baby Jesus to the midnight mass, the nativity scene or the procession of the Magi from the East are some of the most significant, because combining tradition, modernity and location. All these events are organized by the same people of the village, fully aware of their traditions and enjoy for children. Perhaps among all the activity is the most majestic procession of kings, which allows you to see up close the three Magi, while talking to them personally or their assistants, the pages that deliver door to door each one of the gifts of all children of the village.

Climate and nature (flora and fauna)

Carme's climate is due to its location and topography and climate transition entremediterrani mainland. It has many hot summers (25–40 °C) and very cold winters in extremely cold. Half of the rainfall is concentrated in the autumn but also in spring it rains frequently. In winter snow thickness episodes live media, so despite not having much altitude valley was cold and the accumulated snow level down in this area compared to other towns like La Laguna.

And finally, we need to highlight the last most significant aspect of the village. As mentioned previously, Carme is located in the middle of a valley, which affords a variety biological and mineral. In fact Carme and surrounding stand for a special occasion; the fact is that due to the geographical position of the valley, we find in these different climates and vegetation. We can find the weather riverside the Mediterranean or dry, all present and well characterized. This confluence cause the formation of a small microclimate in the valley of Carme, which creates a very special phenomenon in the valley. In the midst of this special climate, individuals are more comfortable there are some birds that are in this space weather and vegetation ideal for playback. A year ago, a team of specialists and animal rights carried out a field study in the field in order to locate and highlight what were actually groups of birds we could find. The result of this study showed that in the Valley of Carme they could get to find more than 50 different bird species and up to 85. These could highlight the Executioner, the Shrike, Cornell black or swallow.

See also

• Riera de Carme - a local river