Illes Medes
| Illes Medes | ||
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| Waters | Mediterranean Sea | |
| Geographical location | 42 ° 3 ' N , 3 ° 13' E | |
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| Number of islands | 7th | |
| Main island | Meda Gran | |
| Total land area | 0.215 km² | |
| Residents | uninhabited | |
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The Illes Medes , Spanish Islas Medas and German Medas Islands , are a small group of seven uninhabited islands near L'Estartit with a total area of 21.5 hectares. The karst islands in the Mediterranean Sea on the Costa Brava in Catalonia , Spain , are geologically the continuation of the neighboring massif Massís del Montgrí on the mainland. The main island is the largest island on the Costa Brava.
location
The archipelago with the larger main island Meda Gran (18.7 ha) is immediately in front of the town of L'Estartit, about 1 km from the beach. The other islands in the group are Meda Xica (2.6 ha), Tascons Grossos, Medellot, Tascons Petits, Ferrenelles and Cavall Bernat. In terms of surface area, some are steep cliffs protruding from the water. The height of the rocks is between 25 and 67 m (main island). Access to the islands is permitted with an expert guide.
Conservation and diving
The area around the islands has been a strictly protected underwater nature reserve since 1990. Since fishing has been banned since 1983, it is known for its variety of fish and crustaceans. Groupers in particular can be seen in large numbers . Other marine animals include eagle rays , moray eels and octopus .
The underwater flora and fauna of the archipelago with underwater caves is considered by scuba divers to be incomparable in the Mediterranean. Diving has become a major economic factor in L'Estartit's tourism. There are around a dozen diving schools that offer guided tours to the islands. Diving spots are marked with buoys on the islands , there are strict diving regulations. A special feature is the so-called "dolphin cave", which can only be reached by divers via an entrance about 20 meters below the surface of the water. Inside the cave there is a large chamber with an air bubble. The entrance to the cave is marked by a small figural representation of a dolphin.
The underwater world of the islands is also easy to explore with glass-bottom boats .
history
The remains of a ship indicate that the islands were called by Greek ships thousands of years ago. Human bone finds indicate a burial site on the main island of Meda Gran. In the 15th century, a fortification was built on it, which was inhabited by knights. After they left the island, it turned into a pirate's nest. Pirates also carried out raids inland from here. As a result, farms between L'Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí were fortified with defense towers (Torre Gran, Torre Begura). In the 18th century, the main island served as a prison, which was converted into a small military garrison in the 19th century . Because of their location, the archipelago was an important strategic point for coastal defense. On the Meda Gran there is a small lighthouse that was built in 1866. Until 1930 he was looked after by a lighthouse keeper; today it is powered by solar power.
