Vilanova i la Geltrú is the capital of the Garraf comarca in the province of Barcelona. A major Catalonian fishing port with a growing population of approximately 62,000, the town is situated 40km south-west of Barcelona, with the more famous coastal resort of Sitges some 10km to the north-east. The town has a long and colourful history, reaching its heyday during the Romantic period. During the rule of General Franco the Catalan language was banned and the town renamed Villanueva y Geltrú. Vilanova i la Geltrú is a busy modern town, with well-established textile and paper industries. It also has iron foundries and an important agricultural sector. The harbour affords safe and deep anchorage; it is a lifeboat station and the headquarters of a large fishing fleet. The coasting trade is also considerable. Vilanova has a museum, founded by the Catalan poet, historian and diplomat, Víctor Balaguer (1824-1901), which contains collections of Roman, Egyptian and prehistoric antiquities, as well as paintings, engravings, sculptures, coins and a large library. Apart from some renowned seafood restaurants, Vilanova is a recognised centre for Xató, a winter salad dressed with a rich sauce made from almonds, olives, fish, oil and garlic, which forms the basis for the Festival of Xató (Xatonada) in tandem with nearby villages and towns. Other notable festivals include Festa Major in early August and Carnaval (late February) which includes Les Comparses, in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets (candies) at each other.