Mont-ras facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mont-ras
Municipality
General view of the village
Flag Coat of arms
Mont-ras Location in Province of Girona Show map of Province of Girona Mont-ras Location in Spain Show map of Spain
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Girona
Comarca	Baix Empordà
Area
• Total	12.3 km2 (4.7 sq mi)
Elevation	88 m (289 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	1,691
• Density	137.5/km2 (356.1/sq mi)

Mont-ras is a charming village and rural area in Catalonia, Spain. It's located on the beautiful Costa Brava, between the towns of Palafrugell and Palamos. You can find it in the Girona province, within the Baix Empordà region. Mont-ras is about 40 minutes away from the city of Girona and around 80 minutes from Barcelona.

Discovering Mont-ras

Mont-ras gets its name from its unique location. "Mont" means hill and "ras" means level. The historic village center sits at the start of the Gavarres hills, which are part of a natural park. The rest of the area stretches out to the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you'll find the rocky bay of El Crit, near Cap Roig, looking out towards the Formigues Islands.

A Glimpse into History

People have lived in Mont-ras since Roman times. The village was first mentioned in the 10th century. This mention was about a watchtower called Mont-ras Torreolla. This tower stood where the current church of Saint Esteve was built in 1599.

For many years during the Middle Ages, Mont-ras was part of the lands owned by the Barons of Palafrugell. It was managed as part of Palafrugell until 1858. In that year, Mont-ras officially became its own separate municipality.

Village Life and Modern Areas

The older part of the village is on a hill. It includes the historic church of Saint Esteve and the local town hall, called the Ajuntament. You can also see many old houses there.

The village area also has modern facilities for everyone to enjoy. There's a sports center and a library. Kids attend the Torre Jonama primary school. In recent years, Mont-ras has grown with new neighborhoods. These include Torre Simone, La Roqueta, Molines, and Canyelles. Along the C31/C66 road, which connects Palamós to Girona, you'll find several factories, shops, and pottery workshops.

Old Defenses and Local Legends

Mont-ras is home to several old fortified farmhouses, known as masias, and towers, called torres. These were built long ago to protect against attacks from Barbary pirates.

One famous spot is the cove of El Crit, which means "The Scream." It gets its name from a sad legend. The story says that a local girl was tragically killed by pirates there.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Behind the village, in the hills, you can find old mines and quarries that are no longer used. There are also many cork trees. These trees were very important for the local cork-making businesses in the past.

The Mont-ras plain offers a lovely walking and cycling path called the Ruta de la Petit Tren. This route connects Mont-ras to beautiful beaches like La Fosca, Castell, and Calella de Palafrugell. Because of these great paths, the area is very popular with people who love walking and mountain biking.

Sports and Events

Mont-ras is a great place for sports and outdoor fun. It has several campsites where visitors can stay. There's also the Costa Brava tennis club for tennis enthusiasts.

The Mont-ras football club is one of many clubs on the Costa Brava. They host a big youth football tournament every Easter. It's called the Mediterranean International Cup, and young players from all over the world come to compete.

Population Growth

The number of people living in Mont-ras has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown:

See also

In Spanish: Montrás para niños