Cap de Creus

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El Golfet viewed from Cap Gros, Cap de Creus
El Golfet viewed from Cap Gros, Cap de Creus

Cap de Creus (Cape of crosses in Catalan) is located at the far NE of Catalonia, some 25 km south from the French border. The nearest town is Figueres, capital of the Alt Empordà and birthplace of Salvador Dalí. It is a peninsula of 190 square kilometres of an extraordinary landscape value; a very rocky dry region, with almost no trees, in contrast with a seaside rich in minuscule creeks of deep blue sea to anchor. Mountains are the last eminences of the Pyrenees which make the natural border between France and Spain. The region is frequently swept by awful north wind "tramontana" (beyond mountains) which has caused many naval disasters. Cadaqués is the most well known village, home of artists and writers, with sophisticated and snobbish atmosphere, near Port Lligat where Dalí built his home in a paradise small bay. El Port de la Selva, with a little fishing harbour is less exploited, with good gastronomic recourses and pleasant terraces. Fantastic Sant Pere de Rodes stands out at 500 m of altitude with spectacular views of the Cap and the Pyrenees. It is a 11th century monastery whose first structures date from about 750 AD. It is a magnificent building in Catalan roman style with imposing dimensions and some pre-Romanic painting rests.

Another view of El Golfet from Cap Gros, Cap de Creus
Another view of El Golfet from Cap Gros, Cap de Creus

Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of mainland Catalonia. The legend tells that the Cap de Creus was made by Hercules.

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Coordinates: 42°19′09″N, 3°19′19″E