Vilanova i la Geltrú
| Vilanova i la Geltrú municipality | |||
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| coat of arms | Map of Spain | ||
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| Basic data | |||
| Autonomous Community : | Catalonia | ||
| Province : | Barcelona | ||
| Comarca : | Garraf | ||
| Coordinates | 41 ° 14 ′ N , 1 ° 44 ′ E | ||
| Height : | 22 msnm | ||
| Area : | 33.99 km² | ||
| Residents : | 67,086 (Jan. 1, 2019) | ||
| Population density : | 1,973.7 inhabitants / km² | ||
| Postal code : | 08800 | ||
| Municipality number ( INE ): | 08307 | ||
| administration | |||
| Official language : | Castilian , Catalan | ||
| Mayor : | Neus Lloveras Massana (since 2015) | ||
| Website : | www.vilanova.cat | ||
| Location of the municipality | |||
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Vilanova i la Geltrú ( cat. ˌBiɫəˈnɔβə j ɫə ʒəɫˈtɾu ; Spanish: Villanueva y Geltrú ) is a Spanish city in the autonomous region of Catalonia . It is 45 km from Barcelona and 40 km from Tarragona .
It is the capital of the Comarca Garraf in the province of Barcelona . The population is 67,086 (as of January 1, 2019).
history
In the middle of the 18th century, when King Carlos II allowed the city of Vilanova to trade with America, the city experienced a great economic boom. Progress was evident not only in the accumulation of wealth, but also in the blossoming of culture. That was when the first sociedades recreativas were founded, places of encounter and relaxation.
Vilanova i la Geltrú was officially founded in 1274 when King Jaume I granted it town charter, and it has a great history that can be seen in numerous places of cultural importance. The city's golden age was Romanticism , a period well reflected in buildings such as the Museo Víctor Balaguer , commissioned by him as the last minister for the Spanish overseas territories. Other important palaces and manors are the Casa Renard , Foment Vilanoví , Casa Cabanyes , Casa Samà and Can Pahissa . Culturally significant hermitages and churches are Sant Cristòfol , Sant Gervasi and Santa Maria de la Geltrú . In the latter there is an important altarpiece from the 18th century.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the impressive gardens appear, which gave the city a metropolitan flair and largely go back to contacts such as with the island of Cuba.
This festive and cultural atmosphere, which only became apparent in recreational gardens, was ultimately reflected in closed venues. In 1804, Pedro Grumà built the city's first theater, the Sala , a square, vaulted building that served as both a theater and a ballroom .
According to the legend, the new city arose because the feudal lord of Geltrú issued a law according to which, if a woman wanted to marry , he should have the right of the first night . Many of those willing to marry then left the city and settled near the sea on the territory of Cubelles and founded the “Vila Nova de Cubelles” here. Years later, in 1279, Jaume I gave the place city rights. Another legend attributes the founding of Vilanova to a couple who came from two warring families and decided to leave the city to start a new one. Time passed and the cities eventually grew together.
Vilanova i la Geltrú today
Vilanova i la Geltrú, the capital of the Comarca of Garraf (Barcelona), is one of the cities in Spain that is heavily influenced by advanced technologies. These include the ( Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya ) and the planned construction of Neápolis . It is the third most important port in Catalonia.
The city has good transport links. The C32 motorway (also known as the “ Pau Casals ” motorway ) allows a good connection with the Catalan capital. The city has a train station and the Catalonia Railway Museum (Museo del Ferrocarril de Cataluña) is located here.
The city's population had grown to 61,427 in 2005. The city is running several ambitious projects, such as the enlargement of the beach, the industrial area “Sant Jordi” and the planned redesign of the sea side of the city.
Among the festivals and traditions, the carnival deserves special mention, which is characterized by both tradition and innovation.
Sports
The city has a roller hockey team called Club Patí Vilanova .
sons and daughters of the town
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Town twinning
literature
- José Antonio Garí y Siumell: Descripción é historia de la villa de Villanueva y Geltrú desde su fundación hasta nuestros días . El Cep i la Nansa - Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltrú, Vilanova i la Geltrú 1996, ISBN 84-85960-05-X , ( Antina 1).
- Albert Virella i Bloda: Vilanova i la Geltrú. The milenari de Cubelles al seté contenari de la carta-pobla de Vilanova . Próleg de Josep Iglésies. Selecta, Barcelona 1974, ISBN 84-298-0581-8 , ( Biblioteca selecta 481), ( Ciutats i paisatges 58).
Web links
- Vilanova i la Geltrú website (Catalan)
- Attractions in Garraf / Vilanova i la Geltrú (Catalan)
Individual evidence
- ↑ 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).
