Canigou

Views of the Canigou

The Pic du Canigou ( katal.: Pic del Canigó ) is the easternmost peaks of the Pyrenees. It has a height of 2784.66 m and has long been considered the highest mountain in Catalonia. He belongs to the southern French département of Pyrénées- Orientales in the Roussillon. The nearest major town is Perpignan, about 50 km east of the mountain. Are the two important medieval abbeys of Saint -Martin- du- Canigou and Saint- Michel -de- Cuxa On the slopes of the Pic du Canigou.

The mountain is mentioned in written Latin written documents of the year 949 as Montis Canigonis first time. Around the year 1300 can be found for the first time the Catalan spelling Canigó. In 1285 the mountain is said by the Aragonese king Peter III. have been climbed. To the top of the king was not reached, because there was a lake a fire-breathing dragon ascended.

The often until well into the summer snow-covered slopes of the Canigou are widely visible from the coastal plain of the Mediterranean and can still 100 km beyond the coastline are perceived. This may have contributed to the Canigou mountain became a symbol of Catalonia and Northern Catalonia and is sometimes still viewed as " Holy Mountain " or " Olympus" of the Catalans. At the summit usually blows the multiple yellow-red striped Catalan flag.

On the night of 23 on June 24 ( St. John's ), a fire is lit on the peak of Canigou. Then bring Towards morning the mostly young participants burning torches in the villages of the valley.

The Pic du Canigou has several climate zones. Up to an altitude of 800 to 1000 m is still spoken by a Mediterranean climate, then to about 1700 m of mountain climate. Until about 2300 m, the climate is subalpine; the top of the mountain is part of the Alpine mountain zone. The summit region of Canigou can be climbed with good shoes and athletic condition during a day tour through multiple paths. There is also the possibility of the largest part of the ascent with the help of booked places to cover in an off-road jeep and climb only the last 600 meters in altitude in about two hours on foot.

Gallery

Flowering peach trees in the valley of the Tet against the backdrop of Canigou

The Canigou seen from Perpignan