Moon and Planets in Catalonia - Figueres

The Emporda newspaper reports:-


The DDG of the NASA research center published a picture of the day (yesterday for the reader), a photo of astrophotographer Juan Carlos Casado, taken last week to Figueres to illustrate the alignment of Venus and Jupiter view from Catalonia. Both planets will be unusually close together this month, with the exponent on March 15. The next conjunction will occur in May 2013. 

"Moon and Planets in Catalonia" is the title of the information offered by NASA yesterday to their website.


 "To see the lineup only has to look to the west in the evening," explained, adding that the combination will be easily visible because Venus appears brighter than any star in the background, and Jupiter will be too bright. In the picture, "a bright crescent on the right of Venus, while Jupiter appears at the top of the image." 


Was photographed from a sculpture "represents the legendary battle between a warrior and a dragon." 

The picture was taken from the sculpture of Catalonia square with the image of the bottom three stars.

Castell de Sant Ferran - Figueres

The site is easily accessed by a good road near to the
Parc Bosc, in Figueres centre.

This photograph -Antonio De Lorenzo, Marina Ventayol

An imposing 18^th.C hilltop fortress ‘The Castell de Sant Ferran’, guards the city of Figueres below. It was constructed in the form of an irregular octagon on a site of almost 32 hectares. The walls of the fort measure 3km in length, the defenses include an inner wall, bastions and drawbridges over the moats. This was the largest military fort built during the 18^th.C and was designed to resist the frequent invasions of the French army from the north. The Garrison was able to hold 6,000 personnel and 500 horses and provided for them with an underground cistern holding 40,000 litres of water. Today’s visitors tour the underground caverns by boat and the grounds by jeep.  

Perhaps the most famous resident of the city of Figueres, a certain Salvador Dalí performed his military service here in 1927. The international brigade was also quartered here during their contribution the Spanish civil war (1936 – 1939).

It was during the civil war that artworks from El Prado – Madrid were stored within the garrison for safe keeping.

Another infamous resident of Castell de Sant Ferran was Antonio Tejero, the Guardia Civil officer and the leader of the failed coup d’etat of 23rd February 1981, was imprisoned in the castle for many years. Somewhat ungratefully he regarded Figueres as ‘el quinto coño’, which is Spanish slang for Hicksville, or the back of beyond.

Alt Empordà train station Figueres - TVG AVE

The high speed railway line between Paris and Figueres has opened. A journey time of 5 hours and 45 mins for the journey.

TGV style AVE trains will soon link with Barcelona and Madrid.

Time on your hands

If you have time on your holiday then you may wish to explore the Dali triangle which links

Theatre-Museum in Figueres

House-Museum in Portlligat, Cadaqués

Púbol Castle,La Pera

all within a short drive of Finca Carolina.

Salvador Dali - Theatre Museum, Figueres

One of the worlds most recognisable pieces of architecure is Salvador Dali's Theatre Museum in the heart of Figueres. The ornate facade is almost as much of an icon as Dali's moustache.

Salvador Dali and Figueres

The Art of Salvador Dali