Garriguella and the Centre de Reproduccio de Tortugues de l'Albera
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| Església de Santa Eulàlia | The Garriguella Centre for Tortoise Reproduction | Moli de Vent | ||
The small medieval village of Garriguella in the Alt Emporda region, 11 miles northwest of Roses (off the GI604) has a population of around 700.
The great size of it's church, The Església de Santa Eulàlia de Noves, is out of all proportion to the population of the village. It was built in 1722 on the remains of it's 10th century predecessor and has a plain exterior which hides an ornate nave and three arches supporting a vaulted roof.
Garriguella is most visited for the Tortoise Farm, the Centre de Reproduccio de Tortugues de l'Albera. Catalonia was the last remaining habitat for tortoises on the Iberian peninsula and they were almost made extinct over the last century by fires and the introduction of non-indigenous species of pet tortoises which were released or escaped into the wild.
The aim of the centre is to breed tortoises for release into the countryside and to monitor their success in re-populating their old habitat. A raised decking path allows visitors to wander through the tortoises' various habitats on a circuit taking about 1½ hours. Various wetlands and drylands habitats are included and sections include various species from timid pond turtles to the massive African tortoise.
No-one, from very young children upwards, could fail to be impressed, amused and entertained by the antics of the baby tortoises, particularly with their over-ambitious attempts at mating with the disinterested and much large adults.
The path-walk concludes with a video on the Centre's objectives etc, with the soundtrack in your chosen language. A visit to the Centre should provide ever-lasting memories of a Catalonia holiday and is highly recommended.
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Other sites which may be of interest:
Catalonia Tourist Office: www.GenCat.net
Ajuntament de Garriguella: ddgi.es/garrigue
Centre de Reproducció de Tortugues de l'Albera: Tortugues.org
Restaurant moli de Vent: Molidevent.com
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