Roses

Although tourism is the main source of revenue there is also agriculture with Olives and vineyards and a small amount of fishing. The quaint Port is a highlight on the coast of Northern Catalonia.

History
The privileged location has been the home of many peoples and civilizations. Among the most important artefacts of the past are dolmens from the Neolithic period of Creu Cobertella from 3000 BC and the minting of coins around the fourth century AD through successive eras of Greeks and Romans. There are also records that indicate a possible religious base for the Bishop in 380 AD.

During the tenth century, the church of Santa Maria de Rosas became a Benedictine monastery and in medieval times, Rosas growing population supported the founding of the monastery of Santa Margarita de Rosas.

Rosas became an important trade centre due to the favourable conditions of the bay. The bay was a key military site as it was used to defend against pirates the Saracen and the French. The Citadel Rosas is a fortification built in the sixteenth century by King Charles First and has undergone many alterations from 1645 to 1659 and again from 1794 to 1795.

The Port was invaded by Napoleon and later the War of Independence in 1808 to 1814 the French army left the Port unusable for military purposes.The economic and strategic importance of the town resulted in it being fortified in 1402 to protect it from constant attacks by sea pirates and the French invasions by land.

The first invaders were the Croada against the Crown of Aragon in 1285. Then the French army occupied and began to invade the Ampurdan and later the Girona. The invaders were defeated by Roger de Lluria.

Attractions
The St. Mary Parish Church was consecrated in 1796, built on the remains of the former temple of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Rosas, the builders retained the apse, the transept and the dome and the remains of the Romanesque cloister.

The restoration in 1853 by the architect and Marti Sureda Deulovol, was executed in the neoclassical style and the nave, side chapels and the façade were redesigned.

The Citadel of Rosas, the Greek and Roman villas and museum must be visited, plus the Castillo de la Trinidad, Castrum Ciutadella Visigothic Puig Rom. Magnificent views of the gulf are seen from Mirador de Santa Rosa de Puig Rom,to the flat Ampurdan and the Medes Islands in the background. The Collection of megalithic dolmens and menhirs and Punta Falconera large leisure park in a superb civil war bunqueres in front of the Gulf of Rosas.

There are many fine dinning houses worth visiting.

Rosas (or Roses) is a municipality in the district of Alt Emporda in the province of Gerona, Catalonia. In a little over fifty years the town has seen rapid growth through Tourism and a population growth from 2703 inhabitants in 1950 to currently over 17000 habitants.

Situated on the North Coast of the Gulf of Rosas, south of Cap de Creus Rosas is a big tourist centre, with housing developments, hotels and beaches and two ports used for both fishing and sport. It is an attractive highlight on the northern sector of the Costa Brava.

Rosas has a long sandy beach to the east and a large number of coves, among them the Canyelles Petites, L'Almadrava, Cap Norfeu, Punta Falconera, and Joncols Montjoie.

Festivals

The Carnavales Festival

This is one of the most important festivals and famous of the Costa Brava festivals, it stretches over five days with different activities, culminating on the last Friday and Sunday's with a carnival along Avenida de Rhode, exhibiting original costume made for the occasion.

The festival is held at a date between February and March. The carnival can involve over 6,000 people and 70 floats, is one of the most fun collas Bai of the Feis.

Annual Festival: The festival of Rosas is on the 15^th August each year and features classical music, the habaneras sardana and the Giants, ending with fireworks lighting up the bay