L'Escala

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L'Escala municipality
L'Escala beach
L'Escala beach
coat of arms Map of Spain
Coat of arms of L'Escala
L'Escala (Spain)
Finland road sign 311 (1994-2020) .svg
Basic data
Autonomous Community : Catalonia
Province : Girona
Comarca : Alt Empordà
Coordinates 42 ° 8 '  N , 3 ° 8'  E Coordinates: 42 ° 8 '  N , 3 ° 8'  E
Height : 14  msnm
Area : 16 km²
Residents : 10,339 (Jan 1, 2019)
Population density : 646.19 inhabitants / km²
Municipality number  ( INE ): 17062
administration
Official language : Castilian , Catalan
Mayor : Víctor Puga López
Website : www.lescala-empuries.com
Location of the municipality
Localització de Empúries i L'Escala Cat.png
Montgó bay with a beach
Beach in the old town of L'Escala

L'Escala (no longer official: La Escala ( Spanish )) is asmall Spanish town with 10,339 inhabitants (January 1, 2019), which is located in the southern area of ​​the Bay of Roses and in the northeast of Catalonia in the province of Girona .

location

The place on the Costa Brava is about 40 km from Girona and about 120 km from Barcelona . To the south of L'Escala begins the 40 km² large Montgrí massif , which is under nature protection. L'Escala consists of a picturesque old town and a modern center (Riells) with a shopping street on the beach promenade. During the summer months, a small folk festival is set up in Riells. To the south of the town are Cala Montgó and Mount Montgó. In the north is the listed district of Sant Martí with the remains of the Greek port city and the later Roman remains of Empúries .

tourism

Tourism is the main source of income for the residents of L'Escala. There is less mass tourism , as in nearby Lloret de Mar , but more campers and family holidays. There are two campsites near Montó Bay, and there are a total of eight in the vicinity. There are around 20,000 holiday apartments and holiday homes available in the village. Around 100,000 people populate the place during the main season.

L'Escala offers good conditions for windsurfers . In the afternoon, a good thermal wind with about 4 Beaufort builds up in summer . In spring and autumn the strong Tramontana (mostly 6 to 8 Beaufort strong) offers good conditions for experts.

beaches

The beaches are of high quality and are recommended for families with children. There are four sandy beaches in L´Escala:

  • central city beach of Riells
  • Montgó Bay (also known as a diving paradise)
  • Sant Martí d'Empúries (leads 10 km to the next town of Sant Pere Pescador )
  • small beach in the old town of L'Escala

Population development and housing construction

Many new holiday homes are constantly being built in L'Escala, especially on the Montgó mountain, but also in the town center. Where a while ago mainly German nationals built their holiday homes, now mainly Dutch and Spanish people build their holiday homes. Around 500 - 1000 new houses are built every year.

Since there are fewer and fewer buildable plots by the sea and the price level is high, new building areas are emerging up to two kilometers away from the sea. In response to the strong settlement activity, the infrastructure is also constantly being expanded. In recent years the school center has been expanded, a new indoor swimming pool has been opened, several new supermarkets have been established, promenades have been expanded, new restaurants have been opened and the marina has been enlarged.

In addition to French citizens, there is a German and a Swiss colony among the residents. In recent years, however, more and more buyers from England, Holland, Belgium and Northern Europe.

year Residents
1900 2,515
1930 2,462
1950 2,475
1970 3.117
1986 4,721
2001 5,823
2005 8,311
2009 10.140

Transport links

Attractions

The following attractions in L'Escala are of cultural, historical and tourist interest:

  • The most famous excursion destination are the ruins of Empúries in the immediate vicinity of L'Escala. The excavations of Empúries began around 1900 and are still ongoing today. Currently around 25% of the settlement area at that time has been exposed.
  • The Alfolí de la Sal , also known as Pòsit Vell , is a 17th century warehouse that was formerly used to store salt, which was used as a preservative for fishing. It is now a protected historical monument.
  • The region around L'Escala offers numerous diving spots for divers. Especially for the diving tourists, a ship was sunk off the coast, which, along with many underwater caves, is a diving specialty.
  • In spring and autumn, the beach of St. Martí has ​​strong winds for surfers
  • Open-air kart track, the home track of Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso
  • On Epiphany Day , according to local tradition, the three wise men arrive in the city in three ships. You will be greeted by the population in the central bay at Joan Puig Square. In the torchlight, a solemn procession follows to the church of St. Pere, in front of which the kings stop and give the children waiting with sweets.

  • Sant Pere Church

  • Old town

  • Montgó Bay

  • View from L'Escala to the Montgrí massif

  • View over the Bay of Roses to the Pyrenees

Monuments and sculptures

L'Escala has many monuments and sculptures in public spaces, especially on the coast.

  • Bronze sculpture Monument a la Cobla (2007)

  • Sardana bronze sculpture

  • Bronze sculpture Monument a la Dona del Pescador (1991)

  • Monument a la Gent del Mar (1979)

particularities

2006 saw the first non-smoking beach in Spain in L'Escala. According to official information, smoking is no longer allowed on this section of the beach. However, violations of this decree will not be punished with fines because there is no legal basis for this. The mayor of L'Escala intends with the regulation that the strict non-smoking protection law in Spain will be tightened by a smoking ban on the beach .

economy

Anchovies from L'Escala

In addition to tourism, fishing continues to be an important industry for L'Escala. The coastal town is internationally known for its high-quality anchovies ( Catalan : Anxoves), which are processed in small fish factories within the municipality and are marketed.

Sports

From July 12th to July 24th 2012 the sailing world championships in the Europe class took place in L'Escala . Otherwise, L'Escala and the surrounding area offer a variety of sports facilities, as can be found in other tourist-oriented places close to the coast.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero . Population statistics from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (population update).
  2. ↑ World Championship of the Europe class in July . In: Arena . ( online [accessed July 16, 2012]).
  3. ↑ Official event page. Retrieved July 16, 2012 .

Web links

Commons : L'Escala  - collection of images, videos and audio files