HISTORY

Blanda or Blandae, was the name given by the Romans to the village. This name was found in the "Penya dels Padrets" area, near former pre-Roman Iberian settlements.

After a brief period of Moorish incursions at the end of the 8 th . century , the town suffered the passing of the Franks, later becoming a feudal dependence. Blanes Castle is first mentioned in 1002 in a document from the Viscount Sunifred de Girona. From 1050 the Cabreras, his successors ruled the area for the Counts of Barcelona and later in the 12 th , 13 th and 14 th centuries the townsfolk came under the rule of the noble Blanes family.

In the mid 13 th century, Guerau IV de Cabrera and Guillem de Blanes granted the port and town of Blanes a series of privileges and rights to encourage settlement and economic maritime growth. Trade, boat-building, fishing and related industries thrived in the area despite wars and conflicts between the Principat de Catalunya and the Spanish and French royalties.

Rail transport, electricity and gas arrived in the second half of the 19 th century. Despite all of this, the end of the century was marked by a crisis in the boat-building trade as well as a plague in the vineyards.

The beginning of the 20 th century was marked by the opening of the docks and the founding of the SAFA factory. Blanes became an industrial and liberal town and suffered greatly during the Spanish Civil War.

Mass tourism and large-scale immigration from other parts of Spain led to the doubling of the town's population between 1955 and 1970. Tourism, trade, and industry took over from the traditional village activities such us agriculture and fishing, although these activities still continue today.

MONUMENTS

Monuments in Blanes are closely linked to the splendour of the middle ages and the Viscounts of Cabrera.

The Gothic Fountain in the Carrer Ample was erected at the beginning of the 15 th century at the request of the Viscount´s daughter, Violant de Cabrera. The family coat of arms can be seen on the fountain.

The Church of Santa Maria. The Palace of the Viscounts formed one single building with the parish church which was later separated from it when the parish of Blanes was constituted in 1319 .

In the year 1114 the castle-palace then belonged to the lords of the Blanes family and in 1378 was bought by the Cabrera family. In 1623 the estate was sold by judicial decree and acquired by a merchant. The palace of Cabrera was used as a barracks for the troops. The wars against France in the same century destroyed a great part of the palace. Of the artistic and architectural aspect that remains at present, the bell tower and the 15th century facade are worth note. The rest was built after the war.

The town centre has two other churches.

Capella de Nostra Senyora de l'Esperança where local town representatives held their meetings

Capella de Nostra Senyora de l'Antiga considered the oldest church in the town.

Sant Joan's Castle/Watch Tower dating from the 16 th century. Situated on the top of Sant Joan's hill, giving warning of corsairs and Barbary pirates. The watch tower and part of the wall are still conserved.

Santa Barbara Chapel 12th century Romanesque style. The chapel, dedicated to Santa Barbara. taken as patron and guardian of the town from the attacks of invaders arriving at these shores.

The Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Vilar , situated 4 km. from Blanes. the statue of the Virgin of the Vilar was found in 1012. The present chapel is of the 17 th century. There is great devotion at this chapel every year as the virgin is considered a local protector, originating back to the French invasions.