Medes Islands
The Illes Medes, Spanish and German Medes Islands Medes Islands are a small archipelago of seven uninhabited islands in L' Estartit with a total of 21.5 hectares. The karst islands in the Mediterranean Sea on the Costa Brava in Catalonia provide geological continuation of the neighboring mountain massif Massís del Montgrí on the mainland represents the main island is the largest island of the Costa Brava.
Location
The island group with the larger main island Meda Gran ( 18.7 ha) is the town of L' Estartit with about 1 km upstream directly to the beach. The other islands of the group are Meda Xica ( 2.6 ha), Tascons Grosso, Medellot, Tascons Petits, and Cavall Bernat Ferrenelles. Some are superior in terms of area rather out of the water cliffs. The height of the cliff is 25-67 m (main island). Access to the islands is allowed with an expert guide.
Nature Conservation and Diving
The area around the islands is a strictly protected underwater nature reserve since 1990. Since fishing is already prohibited since 1983, it is known for its variety of fish and shellfish. In many places, particularly groupers can be seen. Other marine animals are eagle rays, moray eels, and squid.
The underwater flora and fauna of the archipelago with underwater caves is considered by scuba divers as incomparable in the Mediterranean. The diving has become an important economic factor in tourism of L' Estartit. There are around a dozen diving schools that offer guided tours to the islands. On the islands dive sites with buoys are marked, and there's a strict diving regulations. A special feature is the so-called " dolphin - cave ", which can only be achieved through a lying in about 20 meters below the surface input of divers. Inside the cave there is a large chamber with an air bubble. The entrance to the cave marked small figurative representation of a dolphin.
Even with glass bottom boats is the underwater world of the islands well to explore.
History
Ship remains suggest that the islands was started thousands of years ago by Greek ships. Human skeletal remains indicate a burial site on the main island Meda Gran. In the 15th century came to her a fortification, which was inhabited by knights. After leaving the island, they turned into a pirate's nest. Pirates led from here raids into the interior through. As a result, farms between L' Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí with towers ( Torre Gran Torre Begura ) were attached militarily. In the 18th century, the main island served as a prison that has been converted into a small military garrison in the 19th century. Given their location, placed the islands an important strategic point on the coast defense dar. On the Meda Gran there is a small lighthouse, which was built in 1866. By 1930, he was cared for by a lighthouse keeper, today it is powered by solar power.