L'Escala
The municipality is located between the south of the Gulf of Roses and the Cala (bay) Montgó. Traditionally, the main industry had revolved around fishing, especially sardines and the anchovies of L’Escala. More recently, the most important industry is tourism. "Many things have changed in the last forty years" – the town’s mayor recently noted - "L'Escala has grown, is greater, agriculture and the fishing has taken step to the tourism and the services, at the beach the boats are replaced by the tourists, the cafés are now bars and terraces with view to the sea... But everything has not changed, the character and the singularity of our town continues to be alive... ".
The mayor is correct; L'Escala has carefully conserved the typical natural beauty and the typical urban atmosphere of the Costa Brava. But, equally important, L’Escala has kept alive many popular traditions and celebrations. These events were not maintained solely for the tourists, they are customs that are strongly rooted among its inhabitants. A good example is the Festa de Ntra. Sra. del Carme, patronised by the fishermen, which is celebrated on 16 July. The Festa celebrates old traditions – which are enjoyed by locals and tourists, alike – when all can participate in the procession that takes the virgin to the church of Sant Pere. Or, consider the Festa Major from the 2 to the 6 of September where the Sardana, the traditional dance of Catalonia, is enjoyed with a special passion.
Other interesting festivities, although of more tourist character are
the Festa de la Sal, annually in October where the visitor can see the
traditional offices related to fishing industry, - in which also participates
the population. Another is the Festa de l'Anxova where everyone will
be able to taste the internationally acclaimed anchovies of L’Escala.
During the summer months, every Wednesday at 10 o’clock in the night,
an orchestra (cobla) plays Sardanas at the beach, and spontaneously groups
of people form into circles. Everybody is invited to participate in
the dancing.
Nobody can present the municipality of L'Escala without mentioning the, located two kilometres away at St. Marti d'Empuries. This wonderful site attracts thousands of visitors every year, not only persons interested in archaeology but also by those who only wish to enjoy a walk in the fresh air in a setting of great beauty.
Much less well known is the small village of Cinq Claus, outside the normal tourist routes. The village, without asphalting and surrounded by fields, is located near Vilademat, and has one of the most important Romanic hermitages of the zone.
L'Escala offers all of the necessary infrastructure to serve and support tourism. Of great importance is the ability to cater to our gastronomical needs. The traditional cooking, calls for, and is never lacking fresh fish. Visitor will be able to take excursions by boat along the Costa Brava, practice sports such as sailing or diving, and other sport or cultural visits -- or simply enjoy the fine sand beaches of St. Marti.