Arenys de Mar

Description

Arenys de Mar, arenys being Catalan for ``sands (of a seasonal creek``, and de mar for ``by the sea`` as opposed to Arenys de Munt. Arenys` harbour was for many years the only existing port on the north coast of Barcelona. The beaches, framed by hills which run right down to the sea, give a preview of the neighbouring Costa Brava. The beaches at Arenys are large, and are formed by the coarse grained sand Platja del Cabaió. Sights include the parish church of Santa Maria, with a Baroque reredo, built in 1704 by the sculptor Pau Costa. Along Church Street are the Marés Museum of Lace-making and the Mollfulleda Museum of Mineralogy, forming the Arenys de Mar Museum. Some of the defense towers built to protect against pirates, are still conserved. Arenys cemetery is an example of Mediterranean marine cemetery. It is oriented westward, on top of the Turó de la Pietat. Arenys is the capital of the county district. Fishing and related industries are the principal economic activity of the town. Two industrial zones are being developed under public and private promotion. Agriculture has gone down in the last years, but the cultivation of fruits and vegetables is still thriving.