L'escala

L'Escala is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Empordà in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated on the Costa Brava, located between the southern end of the Gulf of Roses and Cala (bay) Montgó. It is an important fishing port and tourist centre, and has a festival dedicated to its famous anchovies. The GE-513 road runs inland from the town.

The Alfolí de la Sal, also known as the Pòsit Vell, is a seventeenth century warehouse formerly used to store the salt necessary to preserve fish landed at the port: it is now a protected historic-artistic monument. The ruins of Empúries are located on the territory of the municipality, with Phoenicean and Roman remains dating from 580 BC.

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. 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.