Talamanca, Spain, February 19, 2011

In the far northeast corner of Spain, I have a relative who lives in a town of 100 people clinging to the hillsides of a rocky undulating land just northwest of Barcelona. This town is called Talamanca, not to be confused with the much larger and much more famous city of Salamanca in western Spain. This little town has one shop consisting of a deli and a general store, and one restaurant next door. My relative owns the shop, and if you visit, she will treat you to the amazing "jamón serrano" (a cured ham) and many other delicacies of the region.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Before you arrive, and as you climb the hills, you can see the snow-covered Pyrenees to the north.

If you look south, you see Montserrat, which is Catalan for "Jagged Mountain".

When you arrive you see a rock wall surrounding a small town and a castle overlooking the town.

Inside the town, you find narrow cobblestone streets and houses hanging on a steep, rocky hillside.

It appears that the people of this town take security seriously, but they certainly don't lack a sense of style.

As you wander further into the town, you find the church.

 And then you finally reach the castle.

Oh, and did I mention that this little town is quite old.

Actually, it is quite a bit older than that. There is historical and archeological evidence that Talamanca has been continuously populated since before 1200. In fact, nearby are ruins of Roman fortifications and towns from before 300 BC.

If you visit Barcelona, it is definitely worth renting a car and exploring north, west, and south. As you drive north, you will find yourself entering France is about 2 hours. South are the famous beaches of the western Mediterranean with crystal-clear water and sandy beaches. West and northwest, you will find yourself in the heart of Catalunya where you will hear more Catalan than Spanish.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour.
Radzfoto