Montseny Natural Park and Viladrau, Catalonia, Spain
Catalonia lies in the north east corner of Spain dominated by the port city of Barcelona. Montseny Natural Park is sandwiched between this city, the Pyrenees border with France and the Mediterranean coast. Montseny is a 72,000 acre mosaic of Mediterranean, Alpine and Central European landscapes and so is a synthesis of the main landscapes of Europe. It has an incredible variety of flora and fauna boasting over 1500 superior plant species (the whole of the UK has only 1200!). The range is so wide that in 1978 it was made a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve confirming its importance on a global scale.
With the highest mountains south of the Pyrenees, Montseny offers breathtaking beauty combining rocky slopes with waterfalls cascading into deep gorges, dense with forests of Holm Oak, Beech, Chestnut and Pine. The scenery can change from Mediterranean woods to those of Central Europe within a few kilometres.
In addition to the protected natural landscape, one can visit the famous Iberian wall at El Brull, or the Roman villa of Can Tarrés, the extraordinary castles of Montsoriu and Montclús from the middle ages, the Romanesque monuments of Sant Salvador de Breda and Santa Magdalena, and the beautiful Modernist architecture in the villages of La Garriga and Viladrau.
The extraordinary quality of its landscapes, the diversity of its plant life, and the spectacular seasonal colour changes, especially in the chestnut, oak and beech woods make Montseny an ideal place for walking and cycling routes. There is an extensive network of well sign-posted routes to suit all abilities and tastes.
Little known outside of Spain, Montseny has inspired artists, intellectuals and scientists. Even the Spanish royal family enjoy this special place at their summer home in Viladrau - a village located, on the northern face of the Montseny mountain range, famous for its tranquillity, spring water and healthy air. Full of surprises, Viladrau is surrounded by forests and mountains, yet can offer top quality golf at nearby Montanya Golf club and even Polo just outside the village.
The attractions of Montseny and its proximity to the cities of Barcelona and Girona mean that visitors to the region can feast on the best that Catalan cuisine can offer. Of Roman origin, Catalan cooking uses many of the same ingredients as other Mediterranean cuisines -- tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, beans, pasta, fruits and all kinds of meat and seafood - but it combines them in unexpected ways. Who would expect salt cod with honey, for example? Catalonia has both mountains and seashore. So one may find spiny lobster stew (Civet de Llogosta) on the one hand and Andorran-style trout (Truita de Riu Andorrana) on the other. Whilst a three course lunch with wine cad be had in Viladrau village square for 8 euros, try the wonderful ‘tasting menu’ (five courses including wine, 25 euros) at La Salvadore restaurant in Hotel Corominas, Viladrau or the top-notch Mas D’Orsor just outside the village (around 50 euros per head).
This welcoming area is an ideal place for enjoying the riches which nature and history have left to the friendly hospitable locals and lucky visitors!
Written by Lloyd Daniels - Owner of Property 400714 in Viladrau, Spain
