Culture and traditions

Many of us tend to associate Romanesque art with austerity and simplicity, discreetly blending in with nature. And this is very true, especially of the small churches built in the 11^th and 12^th centuries in mountain villages. However, it can also be a rich and complex artistic style that reflects the aristocratic sensibility of the monks who lived in the monasteries at that time.

Visiting a monastery is always fascinating. Its monumental architecture, the sense of peace and quiet it exudes, the beauty of its cloisters, the works of art it treasures... But the experience is even better if we can discover their hidden mysteries. We’re going to tell you four stories and legends so that you can become familiar with the monumental sites in the regions of Barcelona.

Long before Disney popularised Jack Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean universe, the inhabitants of the Catalan coastline were all too familiar with the attacks launched by sea bandits. Films, series and novels have presented pirates as romantic characters, but they could be the most cruel of criminals. Their role in local history is certainly worth discovering and it’s been kept alive in many towns in regions such as Garraf or Maresme as a way to explore their historical heritage.