CAPE NORPHEUS Històries de Mar
Norpheus derived from Orpheus, hero of Greek mythology
Legend says that Orpheus made Eurydice fall in love with him with the music of his lyre and slept Cerber when he went to the underworld. On one of his trips to the Mediterranean, Orpheus's ship wrecked because of a big storm. The hero fought not to drown helped by his lyre that was made of wood. After many efforts he could catch a cat-shaped island. There, scared and frozen to death, he waited for the dawn to know where he was. The next morning, the sight before him was wonderful: far in the distance, a large bay in front of him and a little further, the Pyrenees with the Canigou, snowcapped, in between. Impressed by the scenery began to sing and songwriting. The songs were so nice that made the Pyrenees approached to the sea, to where that music came to better listen to tunes. Thus, with this cataclysm, the Cape of Creus and the peninsula that bears his name were formed, and Orpheus could jump ashore.

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On 23rd April Catalans celebrate the day of their patron saint, Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan), a mysterious brave knight who saved a princess from being devoured by a ferocious dragon. The legend of Saint George has it that from the blood of the dragon a rose tree grew and that the knight picked a rose to give to the princess.

The day has evolved into the popular day of the rose and the book. It is customary for men to give red roses to their beloved, since the 15thcentury, although at that time it was celebrated exclusively by the aristocracy. Today it can be stated that the diada is the real Day of Lovers in Catalonia. This tradition has been happily joined by the celebration of the Day of the Book. In this case, women traditionally give a book to their beloved.

The Diada de Sant Jordi is declared a National Feast Day in Catalonia. The streets and squares are filled with people strolling among the flower and book stalls, and many balconies are bedecked with senyeres (Catalan flags), a reflection of the specific Catalan nature of this very special day.

Via VisitGirona. More information in www.costabrava.org