Vilanova i la Geltrú
Vilanova i la Geltrú | |
|---|---|
 Seaside promenade. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Community |  Catalonia |
| Province | Barcelona |
| Comarca | Garraf |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Joan Ignasi Elena i Garcia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.50 km2 (12.93 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 22 m (72 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 65,890 |
| • Density | 2,000/km2 (5,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 08800 |
Vilanova i la Geltrú (Catalan pronunciation: [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.
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 Balaguer (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.
Sport
The city has a roller hockey 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.
Twin towns
Villarreal, Spain
Matanzas, Cuba
Mérignac, France
References
- Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 (Spanish). ISBN 84-87135-02-1 (Catalan).
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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External links
Media related to Vilanova i la Geltrú at Wikimedia Commons
- Museu del Ferrocarril de Vilanova i la Geltru
- Artistic and historical buildings (in Catalan)
- Vilanova International World Music Festival
- City hall web page
- Tourism • Vilanova I La Geltrú
- Museum de Maritime Curiosities Roig Toquès. With the famous Carpa Juanita
Municipalities of Garraf | ||
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