RUTES TURÍSTIQUES
Visions of a coastal people
Canet: Modernism in front of the sea
Both the Mediterranean and the relationship with the old Atlantic colonies have left their mark on Canet de Mar. The architecture, the way of life and a large part of the town´s history are unequivocally related to the sea and maritime travel.
The first evidence of this can be seen on the beach in front of the station where between the seventeenth century and the middle of the nineteenth century there were some important docks. Here, all types of vessel, from small boats to larger ships were built. Moving from the beach is the riera Sant Domènec, which has become the great balcony of the Mediterranean. Right next to the road, we find a typical americanos house, Cal Negre, with a patio in front. These houses were made at the end of the nineteenth century by those who had made their fortunes in the Spanish colonies. The best examples of this type of architecture are found in the carrer Ample, which, in living memory, has been the main street of the town. Here we can also witness the neo-classical architecture of can Floris and can Busquets with their gardens which reminds one of the maritime past. This splendid age is further symbolised by two more buildings situated just before carrer Castanyer; can Puxán, built at the beginning of the twentieth century from brick and iron and the Casino Cantenenc, which for many years served as the headquarters of the conservatives and also of the rich americanos
On reaching the carrer Castanyer there is the plaça Macià, where the ruins of an old lookout tower can be seen. It was constructed between the fifteenth and sixteenth century to guard the town from approaching pirates and above all Turks and Algerians. Directly in front of the tower is the parochial church, most notable for its slender 42 metre bell tower. It was built between 1793 and 1805 during the golden age of Canet´s maritime past. It is interesting to observe how the stonework is square for the first few metres but then transforms into octagonal shapes leading to a small dome.
Not far from the church, to the east are the small streets of the Castellet. This old quarter begins with the Sant Crist stairs. The most interesting feature of the houses is that they face the sea to guard against attacking pirates.
After the Castellet, there is the Santuari de la Misericòrdia, one of the greatest maritime temples per excellence in Catalonia. It is situated at the top of an avenue which was built at the beginning of the twentieth century by means of a donation from the rich americano, Josep Mora. Climbing the avenue, the neo-gothic silhouette of the Santuari is slowly revealed. It was designed by architect Francesc Daniel Molina, who also designed the plaça Reial de Barcelona, and who wished to make a building in Canet with the Virgin Mary looking over the Mediterranean as a sign of protection for sailors. The majesty of the Santuari was achieved thanks to the donations of another americano, Carles Pascual.
The final stop of the visit should be Vil.la Flora and the Pla de las Fonts. Both clearly show the architectural conceptions of the americanos. They were commissioned by rich landowner Ramiro Busquets between 1910 and 1925 and were constructed in a moderately modernist style. It is also very interesting to observe the fountains. Until ten years ago, the fountains were unable to be appreciated as the lands in front were orchards.
Visit duration:
2 hours and 30 minutes
How to get there:
Train
Line C1 Canet de Mar train station.
Car
Motorway C-32, exit: Canet de Mar
National road N-II, exit: Canet de Mar
Photos: ARXIU MUNICIPAL – JORDI DULSAT
Ajuntament de Canet de Mar
Tourist information office
Casa museu Lluís Domènech i Montaner
Xamfrà rieres Gavarra i Buscarons
Phone +34 93 794 08 98
Places of interest
1. The beach
2. Riera Sant Domènec
3. Cal Negre
4. Can Floris
5. Can Busquets
6. Carrer Castañer
7. Plaça Gabriel Macià
8. Lookout tower
9. Parochial church
10. Escales del Sant Crist
11. Castellet
12. Passeig de la Misericòrdia
13. Santuari de la Misericòrdia
14. Vil·la Flora
Both the Mediterranean and the relationship with the old Atlantic colonies have left their mark on Canet de Mar. The architecture, the way of life and a large part of the town´s history are unequivocally related to the sea and maritime travel. The first evidence of this can be seen on the beach in front of the station where between the seventeenth century and the middle of the nineteenth century there were some important docks. Here, all types of vessel, from small boats to larger ships were built. Moving from the beach is the riera Sant Domènec, which has become the great balcony of the Mediterranean. Right next to the road, we find a typical americanos house, Cal Negre, with a patio in front. These houses were made at the end of the nineteenth century by those who had made their fortunes in the Spanish colonies. The best examples of this type of architecture are found in the carrer Ample, which, in living memory, has been the main street of the town. Here we can also witness the neo-classical architecture of can Floris and can Busquets with their gardens which reminds one of the maritime past. This splendid age is further symbolised by two more buildings situated just before carrer Castanyer; can Puxán, built at the beginning of the twentieth century from brick and iron and the Casino Cantenenc, which for many years served as the headquarters of the conservatives and also of the rich americanos On reaching the carrer Castanyer there is the plaça Macià, where the ruins of an old lookout tower can be seen. It was constructed between the fifteenth and sixteenth century to guard the town from approaching pirates and above all Turks and Algerians. Directly in front of the tower is the parochial church, most notable for its slender 42 metre bell tower. It was built between 1793 and 1805 during the golden age of Canet´s maritime past. It is interesting to observe how the stonework is square for the first few metres but then transforms into octagonal shapes leading to a small dome.Not far from the church, to the east are the small streets of the Castellet. This old quarter begins with the Sant Crist stairs. The most interesting feature of the houses is that they face the sea to guard against attacking pirates.
After the Castellet, there is the Santuari de la Misericòrdia, one of the greatest maritime temples per excellence in Catalonia. It is situated at the top of an avenue which was built at the beginning of the twentieth century by means of a donation from the rich americano, Josep Mora. Climbing the avenue, the neo-gothic silhouette of the Santuari is slowly revealed. It was designed by architect Francesc Daniel Molina, who also designed the plaça Reial de Barcelona, and who wished to make a building in Canet with the Virgin Mary looking over the Mediterranean as a sign of protection for sailors. The majesty of the Santuari was achieved thanks to the donations of another americano, Carles Pascual.The final stop of the visit should be Vil.la Flora and the Pla de las Fonts. Both clearly show the architectural conceptions of the americanos. They were commissioned by rich landowner Ramiro Busquets between 1910 and 1925 and were constructed in a moderately modernist style. It is also very interesting to observe the fountains. Until ten years ago, the fountains were unable to be appreciated as the lands in front were orchards.
Visit duration:
2 hours and 30 minutes
How to get there:
Train
Line C1 Canet de Mar train station.
Car
Motorway C-32, exit: Canet de Mar
National road N-II, exit: Canet de Mar
Photos: ARXIU MUNICIPAL – JORDI DULSAT
Ajuntament de Canet de Mar
Tourist information office
Casa museu Lluís Domènech i Montaner
Xamfrà rieres Gavarra i Buscarons
Phone +34 93 794 08 98
Places of interest
1. The beach
2. Riera Sant Domènec
3. Cal Negre
4. Can Floris
5. Can Busquets
6. Carrer Castañer
7. Plaça Gabriel Macià
8. Lookout tower
9. Parochial church
10. Escales del Sant Crist
11. Castellet
12. Passeig de la Misericòrdia
13. Santuari de la Misericòrdia
14. Vil·la Flora
Informació publicada el 20 de juliol de 2005
Ajuntament: Ample, 11 - 08360 Canet de Mar//T.937 943 940 - F.937 941 231//canetdemar@canetdemar.cat
