Gava

The story of Gava begins six thousand years ago, during a time in which humans were just starting to cultivate the land to survive. The mines of Gava are some of the oldest on the continent. They were explored for over a thousand years, mainly for the extraction of Variscite, a green mineral used in the manufacture of jewelry. From the 18th century onwards Gava switched to an agriculture-based economy and experienced a rapid demographic growth from the cultivation of the lands in the Delta de Llobregat.

Nowadays, the city, which is located just a few kilometers away from Barcelona and the airport, occupies a territory of 31km²  and is home to 45,000 thousand inhabitants. The city is a unique mixture of the Mediterranean Sea (with a 4km long coastline), the natural park of Garraf and an urban center. Its warm weather attracts over 2 million tourist to the beach each year during the high season. Its economy is mainly based on the industrial, service and agriculture sectors. The most characteristic product of Gava is the asparagus, although its production is not as important now as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. The last weekend of April or first weekend of May sees the city celebrating its annual Asparagus Fair.

Although the city is quite small, it is home to several cultural entities and museums. The Castle of Eramprunyà (El Castillo d’Eramprunyà) is strategically located 438 meters above sea level, in the natural park of Garraf. The fortress was built to defend the lands of Llobregat and it was first documented in 957. After an attack during the Catalan Civil war in 1469 it suffered from irreparable damages. Nowadays, it is in a state of ruins and it can be visited every second Sunday of each month upon subscription. One of the most important museums of the “pueblo” is the Museum of Gava (Museo de Gava). The establishment was born in 1978 with the intent of conserving, investigating and diffusing the cultural patrimony of the area. Most of its artwork is part of the archeological collection from the mining site and from Roman shipwrecks in the Delta de Llobregat. One of its natural sites, besides the Parc natural de Garraf, is the Laguna de la Murtra, a lagoon located at the Delta de Llobregat. The lagoon is home to several species of plants and animals, especially aquatic birds.

Whether you are staying in Barcelona or in Sitges, Gava is an amazing city nearby, perfect for a day trip to experience more of the Catalan coast and heritage.

Featured Image: Aitor Escauriaza cc (edited)

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