La Ametlla de Mar

Historia

L'Ametlla de Mar, also called la Cala, is a municipality within the comarca of Baix Ebre, situated in the coastal region between the "Cap de Terme" and the "barranc de l'Àliga" . It is limited to the south by the boundary with El Perelló, to the north-west with that of Tivissa, the Ebro riviera, and to the north-east with that of Vandellós and l'Hospitalet de l'Infant, Fishing continues to be one of the principal activities of the town. The port area of Ametlla has a large fleet of fishing boats which fish using various methods, such as trawling, and also has the principal fleet of tuna fishing boats in Catalonia. The port has a sailing club with 225 berths.SituationCoordinates: 40°53′10″N 0°48′13″ECoordinates: 40°53′10″N 0°48′13″E Country Spain Community Catalonia Province Tarragona District Baix Ebre Government• Mayor Jordi Gaseni Blanch Area • Total 66.9 km2 Elevation 19 m Population • Total 7,303 • Density 110/km2 Demonym Calero, calera Website www.ametllamar.catThere are several large housing estates within the boundaries of L’Ametlla de Mar: Calafat,Sant Jordi d'Alfama, les TresCales and Roques Daurades. The beaches are either of fine, white sand or smooth pebbles.L’Ametlla is well communicated and served by the AP 7 motorway, the N-340 main road and the main line Barcelona – Valencia or Barcelona – Tortosa regional train.The train can be caught from the Estació de França, near the "Born" district ofBacelona, the Passeig de Gracia or Sants station.ActivitiesThere is a museum of traditional pottery in Sant Jordi housing estate which is about 5 km from the town centre. It opened on 5 May 2001, but it dates from 1992 when the Martí-Castro private foundationwas established. L'Ametlla de Mar council has been involved in its management since 2000. The main Festival in L’Ametlla de Mar is on the second of February, which celebrates the Mare de Deu de la Candelera, our Lady of Candlemas who is the Patron Saint of the town. Different activities take place during the Festival; the most important being a religious candle-lit procession of our Lady. There is also street music, “capgrossos”, concerts, dances…. etc. Saint Peter’s day, the Patron Saint of the fishermen is on the 29th June when there is a maritime procession. Corpus Christi is on the 29th May. This is when the streets are decorated. The people of L’Ametlla stay up all night to decorate the streets with flowers and leaves to celebrate this festival. Last but not least, Saint Georges’s day (The Patron Saint of Catalonia) is also celebrated at the Castell de Sant Jordi.