Blanes

Blanes is the oldest of all the cities of the Costa Brava. There is evidence that settlements already existed in the era of the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula (after 218 BC ) on the site of the present city, one of which was named Blanda or Blanda.

The first mention of the actual Blanes, or the castle Forkadel refers to the year 1002 . From the 12th to the 14th century, the city was ruled by the aristocratic family of Blanes. In the XII century, a number of privileges were granted to the city and its port, which accelerated its development. In 1583 a monastery of Capuchin monks was founded in Blanes.

In 1859 a railway was built in the city, in 1881 - gas lighting was arranged, in 1889 the first electrical network was equipped.

During the Spanish Civil War, Blanes was bombed. After the end of World War II, the city ​​began to develop as a tourist center. Between 1955 and 1970, the city’s population doubled due to migration from other parts of Spain.

Blanes is a popular resort on the Mediterranean coast (four kilometers of high-quality beaches). Economic activity is mainly concentrated in the service of tourists - there are numerous hotels, campgrounds , restaurants, bars.

At the same time, the city has a number of industrial enterprises processing agricultural products, a textile factory. In the district developed crop. The city has a fishing port.

• The hill towering over the city is crowned by the castle of San Juan (mid-XIII century, the watchtower of the XVI century).
• Remains of the Viscount Cabrera Castle (XII century).
• Gothic fountain (early 15th century).
• Near the city is the Romanesque Basilica of St. Barbara (XII century).

On the outskirts of Blanes there are two large botanical gardens - Mar and Murtra and Pinia de Rosa.

Annually, the main fiesta or feast of St. Anne and St. Joaquim is celebrated in Blanes. This usually happens on the 3rd or 4th week of July. Until 2012, the fiesta was for 5 consecutive days, but then, in order to save, it was decided to reduce the holiday to 4 days. The festival usually attracts up to 500,000 visitors from around the world. It is one of the largest firework festivals in Europe. Most of the festival visitors are watching fireworks from the beach. 500,000 kg of fireworks are burned annually.

The final show takes place on Sunday evening. A record number of visitors for 1 day was in 2014, when the final show was seen by 250,000 people. In 2015, the festival was held for the 45th time. ^[one]

•   Ardales , Spain
•   Vilnius d'Ornon , France

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  Quay in Blanes

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  Railroad station

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  In the old part of town

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  In the port of Blanes

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  Modern hotels on the southern outskirts of the city (in the foreground Blaumar and Blaucel hotels)

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  One of the old buildings

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  A picturesque bay near the botanical garden

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  Quay Blanes in the evening

• The official website of Blanes (Catalan.)
• Map of Blanes