TO VISIT IN FIGUERES

Sant Ferran's Castle of Figueres

The Castell de Sant Ferran in Figueres was built in the 18^th century during the reign of Ferdinand VI in Spain. Frequent invasions by French troops in late 17^th century and early 18^th century highlighted the need for a military installation on this border territory to prevent continuous attacks from the armies of neighbouring France.

Empordà Museum

The Museu de l'Empordà holds one of the most important art collections in the region. Created in 1946, its collections date back to the late 19^thcentury, from the stores of the Prado museum and donations and legacies of celebrated members of Empordà society. In 1971 the present building was constructed, designed as a museum of archaeology, history and art. It currently offers the public a historical interpretation of its collections, open to contemporary art.

Technical Museum of the Emporda

The Museu de la Tècnica de l'Empordà began its life one Sunday morning in 1979. That day Pere Padrosa went out for a walk and stopped at the Figueres antiques market that is held during the morning of every first Sunday of the month. An old type writer caught his eye. He bought it, took it home and set about fixing and cleaning his newfound treasure- a 1910 portable Erika. The Museum is fruit of a passion he shares with his wife and colleague Margarita Pierre, and together they have covered thousands of miles scouring fayres and markets.

The museum's collection consists of more than sixteen thousand pieces representative of the second wave of the Industrial Revolution, but only a small proportion, about three thousand pieces are exhibited in Dresden.

Toy Museum

The Toy Museum of Catalonia (Museu del Joguet) was opened in 1982 in the premises of the former Hotel París in the Rambla de Figueres. The museum exhibits over 4000 pieces: zoetropes, Meccano constructions, puppet theatres, cardboard animals and horses, kitchens, balls, spinning tops, aeroplanes, cars, trains, dolls, puppets, magic equipment, games for the blind, costumes, cut-outs, barrel organs, soldiers, robots, steam engines, teddy bears, tricycles, scooters, etc. Many of these items are accompanied by old photographs of children with their toys, so they can be placed chronologically and we can also see how children played with them.

Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum

The Teatre-Museu Salvador Dalí is the largest surrealist object in the world and occupies the building of the former Municipal Theatre, constructed in the 19^th century and destroyed at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Upon these very ruins, Dalí decided to create his own museum.