The Costa Brava, that strip of Catalan coast abundant in beaches and warm waters can boast as having an enviable archaeological, artistic, and architectural heritage, with remains dating back more than 2,500 years. This historic wealth is all reflected in the different museums and exhibitions that bring all these pieces together in their attempt to broaden knowledge on this fascinating region.
One of the top artistic and historical pieces is located in Girona cathedral. It is presumed to be architectural art dating back from the XI century with the oldest gothic plant in the world. We are referring to the Roman Tapestry of Creation (or Girona Tapestry), which is a unique and exceptional piece amongst all the well-known and preserved embroideries that can only be rivalled by the Bayeux tapestry. It is housed in the Chapter Museum in Girona Cathedral and is a large piece, with intense colours and bears scenes of the creation. Truly not one to miss during your visit to the Costa Brava and the impressive city of Girona.
To get to know the origin and the history of the Costa Brava there is nothing like visiting the different venues and sites of the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, in Girona and the town of Ullastret. Many of the pieces found in the Iberian site of the town have been gathered together, and Ullastret comprises the largest Iberian town in Catalunya. The site in Girona is located in the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, one of the most remarkable exhibits of XII century Romanic Catalan works, and that houses the archaeological materials discovered on the diverse excavation sites in the Girona regions ranging from the Prehistoric to the Middle Ages. A historical must for admiring the pieces in the exhibition as well as the buildings that host these collections, which form a part of Catalan heritage and that are without a doubt worth visiting if you are a fan of the perfectly preserved Romanic and gothic archaeological findings.
For many the Costa Brava is synonymous for Dali, and the fact is this impressive artist spent a good part of his life in this region. However, many great figures and artists had strong connections to this Catalan territory. This is reflected in the Catalonia Toy Museum where there are more than 4,000 antique toys on display belonging to figures such as Anna Maria, and Salvador Dali, Federico García Lorca, Ernest Lluch, Quim Monzó, and Joan Miró, amongst many others. It is definitely worth a visit to see the exhaustive display of typical and traditional games and toys that show the evolution of these articles over the last two centuries. Something that the kids and not-so-big kids will be sure to enjoy in the town of Figueres, where they will also find the Salvador Dali- theatre-museum.
Claudia – Marketing Team
