Cadaques

In the 19th century Cadaques was famous for its salt industry that, although today is not as important, was a major part of the local economy. The isolation of the people became a factor of attraction for artists and tourists.

In the early 20th century, Cadaques began accepting tourists that were spread among various areas while ignoring its most remote places. The cultivation of olive trees were left with the frost of 1956, but today many groves are being recovered as part of a sustainable economy, in the Parque Natural del Cabo de Creus (which occupies a significant part of the town) and as element of fire, which is endemic in the area.

Several families from Barcelona, Figueres, Girona, and other nearby cities have vacationed in Cadaques every summer since 1905.

The surrealist painter Salvador Dali, whose family resided in the town during the summers, had been visiting a student, Federico Garcia Lorca, and returned to New York in 1948 and settled in Port Lligat, one of the coves.

Cadaques also attracted celebrities such as prominent Eugenio D’Ors, who wrote about his summer stays in the town, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, and Durancamps Rafael. Cadaques has also attracted other young painters such as Antoni Pitxot, Gustavo Carbo Berthold, and Maurice Boitel.

Places of Interest

Casa Museo Salvador Dali: The Salvador Dali Museum is one of the most visited places of Cadaques and is considered essential to knowing the universe of the painter. It is situated on the bay Portlligat, north of the population, surrounded by the beautiful landscape that captivated the artist.

It was opened in 1997 and there are memories of the painter display, including his workshop, the library, its rooms, the garden area, and swimming pool.

Old Town and Church of Santa Maria: The Santa Maria Church is the parish church of Cadaques. It was built in the 17th century in the center of the population, with the highest point of the old center surrounded by streets that give a special charm to Cadaques.

Its style is Gothic and its facade is entirely painted in white, with a bell, a square base, and an octagonal top. Its Baroque altarpiece is a must-see. It is also known for hosting the Festival Internacional de Musica de Cadaques.

Festival Internacional de Musica de Cadaques: The International Music Festival of Cadaques is one of the most important and representative of the population. It serves as a meeting point for famous musicians, soloists, conductors, and composers.

It is part of the recent history of Cadaques and structure of classical music concerts in the Church, with free concerts scattered around various parts of the town where you can listen to a variety of music.

Cadaques is a town belonging to the Spanish province of Gerona (Catalonia), in the region of Alt Emporda.

Cadaques is the easternmost town of the Iberian Peninsula. The township occupies most of the east coast of Cape Creus massif. Isolated by the mountains of Pani Puig, Puig Bufadors, and the rest of the Emporda, the fishing village of Cadaques faces the sea and is almost cut off by land.

History

The origin of the name is “Cape Quers,” or “Cap d’Aques,” which translates to “Cape Rock.” Traditionally engaged in fishing, fishing laws have been in effect in Cadaques since the 16th century.

Natural Park of Cap de Creus: El Cap de Creus is the most easterly point of the Iberian Peninsula in the region of Alt Emporda, Girona province. It has been declared a natural park since 1998, being only one of two areas in Spain and considered the largest uninhabited area on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Its area is about 14,000 hectares; 11,000 are land and 3,000 are water. The land area spans the towns of Cadaques, Llanca, Palau-Saverdera, Pau, Port de la Selva, Roses, Selva de Mar, and Vilajuiga.

The Nature Park begins in Bol Nou, the municipality of Port de la Selva, and ends at the tip of Falconera before Rosas. Many unique species of plants and animals from all over the world live in the park.

Its coastline is of great landscape value, with impressive cliffs, hidden coves, and small islands, and is known as a paradise for divers for its rich underwater submarine. At the tip of Cape Creus is the famous lighthouse Creus (Borough of Cadaques), where the movie The Light at the Edge of the World was filmed and where there is now a museum of geology and a tourist office that provides information to make walking the territory of the park easier.