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We will start our tour from the station. On the three streets Francesc Gumà, Sant Isidre and Illa de Cuba, we find some of the most important houses from the times of the Americanos (townspeople who returned home after making their fortune in Cuba and Puerto Rico). Stopping to examine them as we walk, we can compare the mixture of styles, from neoclassicism to modernism to Noucentisme (post Art Nouveau), that intermingle in each of the large houses.
On Francesc Gumà St. (the Prado’s St.) we find the Casino Prado Suburense which, along with the El Retiro Theater, are the town’s two centenarian entities, cultural and recreational centers that were an important part in the life of 19th-20th century Sitgetans and still are. Turning at the end of Illa de Cuba St. towards Jesús St., we reach Cap de la Vila, or the Main Square, Sitges’ nerve center. The modernist house that overlooks its central angle is one of the most characteristic ones in Sitges, known to all as the Clock House. On Àngel Vidal St. (the Retiro’s St.) we can stop to admire the reconstruction of the Patio Azul (The Blue Patio).  The Blue Patio Walking up calle Mayor, or Main St., we reach Town Hall square. The present building dates back to 1889 and was built over the foundation and main ramparts of the medieval castle.  Town Hall The old Market building next to it, Gaietà Buigas’s work, was the town’s first construction using iron and today it is a municipal cultural area. Right behind the Town Hall is the Santiago Rusiñol public Library, situated in Miquel Utrillo’s stately house. Before reaching the Baluarte, or Bastion Square, we see a statue of Doctor Robert (Sitges’ favorite son and Mayor of Barcelona). Rising up above the Bastion is the Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla parish church (17th century), at the La Punta headland. This building is the town’s emblem.  Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla Church Continuing east on the sea side, we reach Fonollar St. This spot, that comprises the Maricel ensemble (Maricel Museum and Maricel Palace) and the Cau Ferrat Museum, is called "el Rincón de la Calma", or “The Quiet Corner”. Walking further down Fonollar St. we reach the La Torreta Point and there we see the Sant Sebastià beach (Port d'en Alegre) stretching out before us, the chapel in the background and further along, the cemetery and the Port d’Aiguadolç marina. On the left is the Miramar building and walking towards the beach we can see a monument to Santiago Rusiñol, in front of Manuel Vidal i Quadres’ home. Moving over to La Davallada St, at the Vall (the Valley) we see the remains of the old medieval ramparts. Continuing down Bosc St., we’ll be walking down Sitges’ oldest St., flanked by the wall, and will pass the "Palacio del Rei Moro", or the Moor King’s Palace, and further down if we stop at house number 18, looking up we can see the old cannon and contemplate the rampart walk.  Bosc Street Returning to the Bastion where the church is, we can contemplate the extraordinary view of the beaches and seafront Esplanade. Afterwards, walk down the stairs at La Fragata Point to the La Ribera Esplanade, developed in 1840. The palm trees were brought from Elche in 1896. Continue walking and we’ll find the Monument to El Greco and some of the other Americanos homes.  La Punta stairs and the Church The Sitges Esplanade stretches out by the sea for 3 Km. for taking a nice stroll while enjoying the Mediterranean’s light (the first section is called Passeig de la Ribera and the second Passeig Marítim). Further down the Esplanade we reach a statue of Doctor Benaprés and if we turn down the street perpendicular to the Esplande, we’ll see the Mare de Déu del Vinyet Chapel. This residential area connects with another one called Terramar, Catalonia’s first garden city (1918-1933), where we find large mansions and the Terramar Gardens. In the early 20th century, Sitges became one of the first summer resorts for the Catalan bourgeoisie.  |