Urban section of the Thermal Route in Caldes de Malavella
The Vía Verde Thermal Route owes its name to the thermal character forged throughout the history of Caldes de Malavella. So much so that following the itinerary through its urban section you can see hot water sources, traffic jams, spas and heritage resources that owe their existence to this uniqueness of the town such as the Roman spa of Puig de Sant Grau, the remains of the municipality "of Aquae Calidae ", and the modernist buildings linked to the emergence of spa activity at the end of the 19th century.
In the heart of the historic center you can visit a museum center that aims to give a global vision of the reality of the municipality, the Aquae Space; from the geological formation of Caldes, through ancient times, and up to the present day with the industrial exploitation of the waters and the excavations in the paleontological site of Camp dels Ninots.
A few meters from the urban itinerary of the Thermal Route you can also find the Tourist Office, which is the starting point for walks through the historic center; such as "Heritage and Sources" and "Caldes in time of wars, from 1936 to 1945" with the story of Italian sailors and Nazi spies who took refuge in Caldes in the mid-20th century.
Next, we will tell you the curiosities of the Thermal Route to the center of Caldes.
Roman Baths and gardens of Puig de Sant Grau
The Roman Baths are a historical monument declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. The hot springs were built in the 1st century AD and are the best preserved remains of the Roman municipality of Aquae Calidae, now Caldes de Malavella. Currently an extensive swimming pool and some remains of attached constructions are preserved, where the mechanisms of the water operation can still be seen almost intact.
The monument is open with free entry so that it can be explored in a self-guided way with the help of the panels and signs that are located.
thermal sources
Following the urban section of the Thermal Route, we find three sources of mineral-medicinal thermal water, which spring naturally from the subsoil at an average temperature of 56ºC: the source of La Mina or Rayo de Mel, the source of San Narciso and the source of the kettles.
Next to the source of the Mine we find the municipal washing facilities that are filled with thermal water that protrudes from the source. In the middle of the 20th century, during the stay of the refugee Italian sailors, the laundries and their clotheslines became a nerve center of the interaction between villagers and newcomers. As the writer Rafael Nadal recounts in the novel The Italian's Son, there the first affective bonds were created between people from both parts of Europe.
spas
Caldes de Malavella is a historic spa town that offers, above all, tranquility and relaxation. The two prestigious spas in Caldes, with refined architectural forms, with modernist and neoclassical details, the "Balneario Prats" and the "Balneario Vichy Catalán" welcome you to enjoy their treatments at the thermal center.
Espacio Aquae museum center
The AQUAE Space in Caldes de Malavella is an innovative museum center located in the old Caldes Castle, of which a wall canvas and three medieval towers have been preserved.
In the museum space, research, teaching and interpretation of the heritage of Caldes are combined. A journey, along 9 exhibition areas, through the natural and cultural legacy forged over time by its waters.
There is the possibility of hiring guide services.
www.espaiaquae.cat | info@espaiaquae.cat | Phone: 600372610
Virtual guided visit to Espacio Aquae and Puig de Sant Grau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUfs8TgO-18&t=5s
Virtual guided tour "Las aguas de Caldes": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWTlqTHW18&t=15s
Source: Caldes de Malavella City Council
You may also be interested in: Guided tours of the towns and cities of Catalonia
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