Gósol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gósol
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Municipality
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 Gósol
Location in Province of Barcelona
Gósol
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Community |  Catalonia |
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| Province | Lleida | |
| Comarca | Berguedà | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 56.3 km2 (21.7 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,502 m (4,928 ft) | |
| Population
(237)
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| • Total | 237(year 2,023) | |
| Demonym(s) | Gosolà, gosolana | |
Gósol is a small village and a municipality (like a town or district) in Catalonia, Spain. It's located in the northwest part of the region called Berguedà. Gósol is nestled within the beautiful Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park in the Pyrenees mountains, just west of the famous Pedraforca mountain.
Even though most of Berguedà is in the province of Barcelona, Gósol is special because it's the only municipality in Berguedà that belongs to the province of Lleida.
Contents
Exploring Gósol's Location
The main part of Gósol village sits in a valley, which is a low area between mountains. This valley is surrounded by the impressive Serra del Cadí mountain range and the unique Pedraforca mountain. High above the modern village, you can still see the old ruins of a castle and the original town from the 11th century. They stand on a nearby hill, watching over Gósol.
Villages in Gósol
The municipality of Gósol includes several smaller settlements. The most well-known is Sorribes. Other tiny villages and areas within Gósol are Bonner, la Collada, Molí d'en Güell, Moripol, Castell de Termes, Font Terrers, and Torrent Senta.
Gósol's Mountain Climate
Gósol has a cool climate, typical for mountain areas. It's called a subalpine climate. This means it gets quite a bit of rain and snow compared to flatter parts of Catalonia. Each year, Gósol receives over 900 millimeters (about 35 inches) of rain. Most of this rain falls during the spring months.
Culture and Traditions
One of the most famous cultural spots in Gósol is the Picasso Museum. This museum exists because the famous artist Pablo Picasso visited the village in 1906. He stayed there from spring until mid-August.
Picasso lived at the only inn in Gósol at the time, called Cal Tampanada. During his stay, Picasso's art changed a lot. He started using different colors, sketching in a new way, and changing the rhythm of his paintings. He found inspiration in the local farm animals and the people of Gósol. His partner, Fernande Olivier, was also a subject in his art during this time.
Special Dates and Events
- Town Festival: Gósol has its big town festival, called festa major, every year on August 15. The most exciting part of this festival is a special folk dance called the "Ball de les cosses."
- New Year's Eve Legend: On New Year's Eve (which is also Saint Sylvester's Day), there's a local legend. People say that witches gather on the Pedraforca mountain for their meetings!
Tasty Local Dishes
Gósol is also known for its unique and delicious traditional foods:
- Pèsol negre: This is a special local type of 'black pea'.
- Blat de moro escairat: This dish uses 'peeled corn', often cooked in a rich pork broth.
- Patates emmascarades: Meaning "Masked Potatoes," these are mashed potatoes cooked with blood sausage or black pudding.
- All i oli with pork: This garlic sauce is eaten with pork, especially during the pig harvest in the fall.
- Veal with wild mushrooms: A hearty dish featuring local veal and mushrooms found in the area.
- Wild boar: Another popular meat dish, often from wild boars that live in the surrounding forests.
