14 August 2011

Roses is a small town with a long history ranging back before the Greeks settled here.    The Phoenician and Greeks were here in the 7^th century BC and called the place Rode.  The Greeks started some fortifications and over the centuries the Iberian culture started.  In 218BC the Romans landed and who expanded the fortifications (Julius Ceasar was put in charge of modern Spain as a plum assignment to make a lot on money to pay off his debts back in Rome.  It worked out well since he made a fortune and came back to Rome with much more ability to rise to the top).  Much later in Medieval times the fortifications were further enhanced as it grew as a result of ample supply of fish and good anchorage.  King Charles I added more to the place because a whole fleet could be protected here from the northerly and southerly winds.

In the mid 16^th century the Trinity Castle was built to further protect the entrance to the port.  It survived several wars but the Peninsular Wars (1808-1814) resulted in its destruction.  In 2002 to 2010 the fort was rebuilt as a cultural space.

The modern town is now a tourist attraction with several beaches, plenty of small hotels and apartments, an old town section with n ice shops, central Mercato (market) and many small events to attract summer tourist.  Not over crowded or descended upon by cruise ships or tour busses.  Waterfront restaurants line the beaches without crowding out the ability to walk along the street.  We only ate out a couple of times.  Food was fresh and well prepared but service can be slow.

The marina is well protected with nice well spaced berths.  The staff was very pleasant as were the neighboring boat occupants.  The commercial harbor is mainly fishing boats that were active every day.  As in the history of the bay it still seems to produce large schools of fish.  Everyday there were 40-50 local pleasure boats out fishing for bream and similar fish.

Nice tourist town with of course lots of Brits, all bright red.

The marina we were in for a few days.  In the background are the beaches and several boats that anchored overnight.  Not the calmest anchorage in the day but when the winds die at night it is fine.

One of the walls of the Citadel that was first started by the Greeks and continually modified by the Romans and others.  Post medieval times it was more of a housing and farming area than a protective fort.

Some of the old buildings inside the Citadel.

Medieval era church that was partially reconstructed.

A picture of one of the walls of the small castle built along the coast.  Restored recently and now used for some events and sunset views.

A solar powered boat in testing stages.  We actually saw this in French waters as it was heading to Monaco for an event.  This boat will try to break the tans-Atlantic crossing record for solar powered boats and will attempt an around the world record cruise.  Designed to go 8 knots it is slower than the faster sailboats.  Why use solar power when sails do the same thing at a great speed?  Still interesting design.  Solar Odessey trimaran.