An unknown territory, this region stretches south of the Province of Barcelona, about fifteen minutes from the bustling Catalan capital. Forged by its environment, the county of Baix Llobregat stands at the edge of powerful landscapes: the Serra de Collserola in the east, the Garraf and Ordal massifs in the west, and the eminent peaks of Montserrat in the north. From the top of the mountains, the Llobregat River draws its source and draws on these lands meandering meanders serving steep, green mountains and valleys. The second longest river in Catalonia - stretching over 170 km - it has given its name to a contrasting region between land and sea, steep mountains and fertile plains.
A variegated natural mosaic
In the shade of the incessant ballet of the planes at Barcelona airport, a wet habitat of surprising biodiversity thrives: through soggy meadows, fragrant pine forests, bouquets of sedges, coastal lagoons and reed beds, a curious enclave with prolific fauna and flora is revealed. At the mouth of the river, the delta has formed a vast alluvial plain of nearly 100 km2 where vegetation - composed of more than 700 species - covers the dunes and calm waters. More than 360 bird species have chosen this wet plain as a strategic landmark on the migratory route of the western Mediterranean, which has earned it a partial designation as a "special protection area for birds" and has been praised by ornithologists and birdwatching enthusiasts through the observatories and trails developed. On the coastal fringe, the beaches of El Prat, Castelldefels, Gavà and Viladecans, radiated by the sun in all seasons, complete this singular picture. After an invigorating sea bath in Castelldefels, a thousand-year-old maritime village open to the Mediterranean and nestled at the dawn of the Garraf mountains, we will visit the emblematic 16th century castle. Just a stone's throw away, Viladecans' The Style Outlets, an open-air shopping centre where many of the major brands sell at discount prices, is a great opportunity to do business.
From exciting museums to historical remains
More than 6,000 years ago, in Gavà, at the foot of the eastern slope of the Garraf mountains, man broke through the rock in search of a semi-precious mineral, variscite, thus digging the oldest mine in galleries in Europe. The "Venus de Gavà", a mysterious black ceramic figure displayed in the archaeological park museum, was discovered in the hollow of these rocky cavities. In the north of the delta, in Sant Boi de Llobregat, the politician Rafael Casanova, the ultimate head of the Barcelona Hundred Council during the War of the Spanish Succession, lived his last days in the Can Barraquer mansion. It is here that the collections of the Sant Boi Museum, a memory of regional history, are housed. Attached to the museum, the Roman baths built in the 2nd century AD bear witness to the past splendour of the Empire. The rest of the visit will take us to the village of Torrelles de Llobregat where young and old will discover Catalunya en Miniatura, an open-air museum that offers a beautiful overview of the main buildings of Catalan architecture. In the heart of the wooded panoramas that border the museum, children will try their hand at tree climbing or zip line. Going up to the steep alleys of Corbera de Llobregat, a completely different heritage, very much alive, is not to be missed: on Christmas Day, the village celebrates its living crib, one of the most important in Catalonia
In the footsteps of Catalan modernism
Catalan modernism, with the learned Gaudí as the most illustrious representative, has left behind a myriad of architectural treasures. If the Sagrada Familia is no longer presented, the same cannot be said for the splendid crypt of the Colònia Güell church. In the architectural complexity of the building built by Gaudí at the beginning of the 20th century and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the architect's genius is already evident. On the occasion of the Modernism Festival - scheduled for 20, 21 and 22 October 2017 - the alleys of Colònia Güell, in the municipality of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, will be filled with men in three-piece suits and women wearing feathered hats during a theatrical and musical day. On the other side of the river, Josep Maria Jujol, Gaudí's collaborator, has made the village of Sant Joan Despi his experimental laboratory: here we can mention the white tower of La Creu surmounted by rounded domes that earned him the nickname "egg tower" or the historic farm Can Negre transformed by Jujol into an architectural jewel. Further east, in the Esplugues de Llobregat museums (Rajoleta, Can Tinturé museum) you will discover the art of modernist ceramics. Further south, in Cornellà de Llobregat, the Agbar de les Aigües Museum - dedicated to water - has settled in the modernist buildings of Central Cornellá. The budding geniuses will also stop at the Palau Mercader de Cornellà, a superb 19th century building and home of the Musée des Mathématiques, which presents 300 m2 of playful activities and thematic exhibitions.
Collbató and the caves of El Salnitre, a fascinating underground world
A Mecca of Catalan spirituality, the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat crowns the singular massifs rising above the Llobregat River. Everywhere, the vegetation seems to cling firmly to the rugged panorama, a playground for climbers and climbers. After marvelling at the breathtaking view, we will head for the collections of the Montserrat Museum, where works dedicated to the iconography of the Virgin of Montserrat, sumptuous pieces of religious silversmithing and remarkable painted works by Caravaggio, El Greco, Rusiñol, Dalí, Picasso or even Degas, Pissarro, Sisley and Money blend with ancient archaeological remains. Gateway to the Montserrat massif, the village of Collbató, the starting point for many hikes, is known for its medieval heritage, but also, and above all, for the superb caves of El Salnitre. Travelled through winding galleries adorned with mineral concretions many thousands of years old, they cross the mountains more than five hundred metres underground.
A range of land and maritime activities
We will walk along the escarpments of the Montserrat, Collserola, Garraf or Ordal mountain ranges, which offer a whole network of enchanting hiking trails. For the whole family, the contrasting landscapes of the Llobregat delta, which can be explored on foot or by bike, offer a dense vegetation suitable for strolling and bird watching. Going up the river to Collbató, we will walk through the heart of the olive groves and taste olive oil. Along a coastline lined with vegetation, the kilometres of beaches are ideal for learning water sports such as paddle, sailing, catamaran or kayaking. In the municipality of Castelldefels, the Canal Olímpic de Catalunya offers windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking, while a golf course, a shooting range, a cycle path and a fun water ski lift system complete the facilities.
A local gastronomy
A land of gastronomes, the region is the heir to a strong agricultural tradition and boasts one of the oldest agricultural parks in Catalonia, covering nearly 3,000 hectares: the Agrari del Baix Llobregat Park. Among the main products are cherries, asparagus, artichokes and chickens of the "El Prat" breed. Depending on the authentic villages, the mercatas of Pagès or farmers' markets invite you to stroll around where you can find gourmet local products unless you prefer to sit in one of the good restaurants in the region, from chiringuitos to traditional restaurants, including gastronomic addresses. Every year in December, the poultry fair of the breed marked "El Prat" honours this indigenous breed. That same month, one of the oldest gatherings in Catalonia, the Fira de la Puríssima de Sant Boi de Llobregat, was held. On this occasion, local product markets, presentations of crafts and theatrical events commemorate Sant Boi's ancestral popular heritage. Another gourmet event, the Fira de la Candelera de Molins de Rei - to be held from 2 to 4 February 2018 - will offer a fine programme of concerts and exhibitions, as well as tastings of local products.
Smart info
When? When? The county of Baix Llobregat is a region to frequent all year round where gastronomy, culture and active tourism are appreciated according to the seasons
Getting there. Barcelona-El Prat International Airport is located in the territory of Baix Llobregat
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