Figueres

Figueres
Municipality
The Dali Museum

Flag
Coat of arms
Figueres
Location in Catalonia
Figueres
Figueres (Catalonia)
Figueres
Figueres (Spain)
Coordinates: 42°16′00″N 2°57′54″E / 42.26667°N 2.96500°E / 42.26667; 2.96500Coordinates: 42°16′00″N 2°57′54″E / 42.26667°N 2.96500°E / 42.26667; 2.96500
Country  Spain
Community  Catalonia
Province Girona
Comarca Alt Empordà
Government
 • Mayor Marta Felip Torres (2015)[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 19.3 km2 (7.5 sq mi)
Elevation 39 m (128 ft)
Population (2015)[1]
 • Total 45,346
 • Density 2,300/km2 (6,100/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Figuerenques
Climate Csa
Website figueres.cat

Figueres (Catalan pronunciation: [fiˈɣeɾəs], Catalan for fig trees) is the capital of the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

The town is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by Dalí himself which attracts many visitors. It is also the birthplace of Narcís Monturiol, inventor of the first successful machine-powered submarine. Also born here was Mónica Naranjo, one of the best selling Spanish singers of the 1990s and 2000s.

History

The town's name derives from that of Ficaris, of Visigoth origin. In 1267, King James I of Aragon conceded it fuero rights, but four years later Count Ponç IV of Empúries set the town on fire.

During the Spanish Civil War, it remained loyal to the Republican government, and was repeatedly bombed by the rebels. Figueres recovered starting from the 1950s, consolidating its economy around the tourism industry.

Main sights

Transport

Situated in the northeast corner of Catalonia, Figueres is about 40 km (25 miles) from Girona, 140 km (87 miles) from Barcelona, 60 km (37 miles) from Perpignan, and 50 km (31 miles) from Girona-Costa Brava Airport. It is also served by its own railway station just east of the old town center.

Figueres has been connected since December 2010 to the high-speed rail network with the start of services connecting Figueres to Perpignan via LGV, allowing direct TGV services to Paris in 5 h 27 min. Connections to Madrid-Barcelona via AVE began on 8 January 2013 and the trip takes 53 min (12 min to Girona).[3]

Twin towns

References

References
  1. 1 2 "Ajuntament de Figueres". Generalitat of Catalonia. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  2. ↑ "El municipi en xifres: Figueres". Statistical Institute of Catalonia. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  3. ↑ Kallas, Siim (8 January 2013). "The European commission welcomes the entry into service of the high speed line between Barcelona and Figueres – last stage of Spain-Europe high-speed connection". European Commission. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "Figueres i Alcalà la Real: l'agermanament" Archived 2011-08-05 at the Wayback Machine., Ajuntament de Figueres
  5. ↑ "Figueres, Spain - St. Petersburg". www.stpete.org. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  6. ↑ "Figueres i Craiova preparen el seu agermanament", Empordà.info
Literature
  • Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rios Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 (Spanish). ISBN 84-87135-02-1 (Catalan).


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