Catalonia Like You’ve Never Seen It:
7 Surprising Facts.
When people think of Catalonia, they usually imagine Barcelona, sunny beaches, and Gaudí’s architecture. But this region has so many more secrets. If you’re planning a trip to this part of Spain, here are a few things standard guidebooks rarely mention.
1. Volcanoes right around the corner
Hardly anyone associates mainland Spain with volcanoes. However, in the Garrotxa region, there’s a natural park with 40 dormant volcanoes. Covered in thick forests, they look like gentle hills. It’s a perfect spot for hiking in a very unique natural setting.
2. A strange Christmas tradition
Catalans have a very specific sense of humor and their own unique traditions. One of them is the Caganer—a figurine of a person “doing their business” that is a must-have in the Nativity scene. It’s meant to be a symbol of luck, health, and a good harvest.
3. A book instead of just flowers
While Valentine’s Day is popular worldwide, the biggest day for couples in Catalonia is April 23rd—the Day of Saint George (Sant Jordi). The streets fill up with rose and book stalls. Tradition says that partners exchange these two things as gifts.
4. A region without bullfighting
Even though bullfighting is often associated with Spain, you won’t see it in Catalonia. The Catalan parliament banned bullfighting back in 2010. Most locals find the tradition cruel and too closely tied to central Spanish culture, which they try to stay distinct from.
5. Cava – high-end bubbles
If you like sparkling wine, you have to try the local Cava. Many people think it’s just cheap bubbly, but it’s actually made using the exact same time-consuming method as French Champagne. The heart of Cava production is in the Penedès region near Barcelona.
6. Three official languages
Most tourists know that people speak Spanish and Catalan in Barcelona. But few have heard of the third official language: Aranese. It’s a variety of Occitan spoken by just a few thousand people living in the Val d’Aran, a high-altitude valley in the Pyrenees.
7. The tragic end of a great master
Antoni Gaudí, the man behind the Sagrada Família, was an incredibly humble person. He died tragically after being hit by a tram in Barcelona. Because he looked so disheveled and had no ID on him, bystanders mistook him for a homeless man. Taxi drivers initially refused to take him to the hospital, not realizing they were leaving behind the most famous architect in the city’s history.
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