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Blanes
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Blanes
Blanes is situated at the mouth of the river
Tordera, in the extreme south of the province of Girona. Its
northern boundaries are the districts of Maçanet de
la Selva, Vidreres and Lloret de Mar and the Mediterranean.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the
town suffered bombing, famine and, moreover, afterwards, there
were deep divisions between the "victors" and the
"vanquished". Shortages were to continue into the
post-war period, accompanied by the total repression of anything
considered to be contrary to the interests of the regime.
After the political openness in the 50's two
important phenomena occurred: the arrival of the first tourists
from abroad and large-scale immigration from other parts of
Spain, leading to the doubling of the town's population between
1955 and 1970.
 The
district, with a surface area of 1.784 hectares is hilly in
the north and east with a flat plain in the west beside the
river Tordera. The town is situated beside the sea at the
foot of the Mount Sant Joan and facing the great natural bay
formed by the Sa Palomera rock in the south west and the Santa
Anna promontory in the east.
The most prominent peaks in the district are
the Turó del Vilar, 269 metres, and the above-mentioned
Mount Sant Joan, 169 m, crowned by a hermitage and the ruins
of an old tower about 20 metres high.
In Blanes, throughout the whole of the year,
various Artisan Fairs are held on different days. Artists
and craftsmen, from all over the province, gather together
to exhibit and sell samples of their work.
There are also many cultural and folkloric
activities that take place from April until the end of summer
which worth mentioning, Cantades d'Havaneres (popular folksong
concerts) are held, as well as dance festivals, Sardanes,
(typical Catalonian street dancing) so that our visitors can
learn something of the local customs while enjoying themselves
at the same time.
The Festa Major, the local fair, takes place
from the 24th-28th July in honour of its patroness, Santa
Anna, with a programme of numerous activities. The small Festa
Major is held on the 21st August, on the feast of Sant Bonosi
and Sant Maximia.
Blanes can be considered a paradise for nature
lovers since it possesses two of the most highly appreciated
botanic gardens in Europe. It also offers you the possibility
of practising more than 20 different sports, thanks to its
excellent municipal and private installations and services.
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