Josep's Guidebook
Sightseeing
The castle was founded by the Moors and rebuilt by the Knights Templar and transformed into a fortress-monastery, after the conquest of 1153. It is considered to be the largest fortified complex in Catalonia, and one of the best examples of Romanesque, religious and military, architecture of the Templar order in the whole Western world (source: Wikipedia)
50 residents recomanen
Castell de Miravet
s/n Camí del CastellThe castle was founded by the Moors and rebuilt by the Knights Templar and transformed into a fortress-monastery, after the conquest of 1153. It is considered to be the largest fortified complex in Catalonia, and one of the best examples of Romanesque, religious and military, architecture of the Templar order in the whole Western world (source: Wikipedia)
Delta de l’Ebre is an impressive natural landmark which attracts thousands of nature-lovers each year. Where the Ebro River meets the Mediterranean Sea, the Delta de l’Ebre is home to a rich flora and fauna and offers plenty of fun activities for all ages. (source: Culturetrip)
83 residents recomanen
Ebro Delta
Delta de l’Ebre is an impressive natural landmark which attracts thousands of nature-lovers each year. Where the Ebro River meets the Mediterranean Sea, the Delta de l’Ebre is home to a rich flora and fauna and offers plenty of fun activities for all ages. (source: Culturetrip)
Wander around this monastery founded by French monks from Provence, who established here the first charter-house on the Iberian peninsular. They chose one of the most beautiful places to site the monastery, at the foothills of the Montsant mountain range, where a shepherd had dreamt of angels coming down from the sky on a ladder resting on a tall pine tree. (source: turismepriorat)
33 residents recomanen
Cartoixa d'Escaladei
s/n Rambla de la CartoixaWander around this monastery founded by French monks from Provence, who established here the first charter-house on the Iberian peninsular. They chose one of the most beautiful places to site the monastery, at the foothills of the Montsant mountain range, where a shepherd had dreamt of angels coming down from the sky on a ladder resting on a tall pine tree. (source: turismepriorat)
Reserva Natural de Sebes
Sebes and Flix Meander Wildlife Nature Reserve
Iberian settlement. In the early spring it's a wonderful viewpoint over colorful plantations of fruit trees in full blossom.
Castellet de Banyoles (Poblat Iberic)
Iberian settlement. In the early spring it's a wonderful viewpoint over colorful plantations of fruit trees in full blossom.
les Tres Cales
Good small beaches ("cala") 30 minutes away.
If you are of those that you love Art Nouveau architecture, a walk in Reus will leave you well satisfied! As you know, there are doubts about whether Antoni Gaudí was born in the capital of Lower Camp or in the nearby town of Riudoms.
What is clear is that the great architect lived in Reus his childhood and youth, but no building in the city bears his signature. Despite this singular fact, known as "the city of shopping" boils modernism everywhere, shows the cultural and commercial excitement that was in Reus late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (source: femturisme)
312 residents recomanen
Reus
If you are of those that you love Art Nouveau architecture, a walk in Reus will leave you well satisfied! As you know, there are doubts about whether Antoni Gaudí was born in the capital of Lower Camp or in the nearby town of Riudoms.
What is clear is that the great architect lived in Reus his childhood and youth, but no building in the city bears his signature. Despite this singular fact, known as "the city of shopping" boils modernism everywhere, shows the cultural and commercial excitement that was in Reus late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (source: femturisme)
Platja de l'Almadrava
Nearest beach
Platja de Cala Moros
Good beach nearby
Punta de la Banya
Fantastic beach!
The Serra del Montsant Natural Park, located in the north of Priorat County, constitutes one of the most imposing reliefs in the province of Tarragona. This massif, the highest point of which is the Roca Corbatera (1,163 m), covers more than 9,200 hectares and is made up of a large block of calcareous conglomerates with many spectacular chasms, caves, grottoes and gorges caused by erosion. Thanks to this unique relief we can still find a wide diversity of flora and fauna in the Montsant Mountains. The vegetation varies widely from holm-oak woods combined with vegetation that likes the shade of the gorges, bushes, and the typical herbaceous plants of very dry areas. A relief that allows the existence of different microclimates makes these combinations possible. The Montsant also has one of the richest varieties of fauna in Catalonia. Of particular interest is the area around the Montsant River, where we find mammals such as the weasel, the genet and the wild cat. The cliffs are the breeding ground for various birds of prey, some of them as rare as Bonelli’s eagle and the eagle owl. The river also has an abundant population of reptiles, amphibians and fish, including the Iberian viper, the salamander, the barbus haasi and the catfish. The 183-hectare estate known as Congost de Fraguerau, in the municipality of Ulldemolins, has been declared a Wildlife Refuge in order to protect these natural communities. As far as architectural heritage is concerned, the name Montsant (Holy Mountain) comes from the many chapels, which are often located in the most unlikely but stunningly beautiful places. A fi ne example is the oldest of all, the Chapel of Sant Bartomeu, which was built in the 12th century. All the chapels show how the spiritual sites of the past have been converted into places of meeting and celebration today. Also of great interest are the ruins of the first Carthusian Monastery on the Iberian Peninsula - Scala Dei (“The Stairway of God”). These lands produce wines with two different designations of origin –the Priorat Qualified Designation of Origin and the Montsant Designation of Origin- both of high quality and considerable international prestige, thanks to the sun and climatic characteristics found in the Park. The Montsant area is also known for its excellent Protected Designation of Origin Siurana olive oil. (source: costadaurada.info)
30 residents recomanen
Serra de Montsant
The Serra del Montsant Natural Park, located in the north of Priorat County, constitutes one of the most imposing reliefs in the province of Tarragona. This massif, the highest point of which is the Roca Corbatera (1,163 m), covers more than 9,200 hectares and is made up of a large block of calcareous conglomerates with many spectacular chasms, caves, grottoes and gorges caused by erosion. Thanks to this unique relief we can still find a wide diversity of flora and fauna in the Montsant Mountains. The vegetation varies widely from holm-oak woods combined with vegetation that likes the shade of the gorges, bushes, and the typical herbaceous plants of very dry areas. A relief that allows the existence of different microclimates makes these combinations possible. The Montsant also has one of the richest varieties of fauna in Catalonia. Of particular interest is the area around the Montsant River, where we find mammals such as the weasel, the genet and the wild cat. The cliffs are the breeding ground for various birds of prey, some of them as rare as Bonelli’s eagle and the eagle owl. The river also has an abundant population of reptiles, amphibians and fish, including the Iberian viper, the salamander, the barbus haasi and the catfish. The 183-hectare estate known as Congost de Fraguerau, in the municipality of Ulldemolins, has been declared a Wildlife Refuge in order to protect these natural communities. As far as architectural heritage is concerned, the name Montsant (Holy Mountain) comes from the many chapels, which are often located in the most unlikely but stunningly beautiful places. A fi ne example is the oldest of all, the Chapel of Sant Bartomeu, which was built in the 12th century. All the chapels show how the spiritual sites of the past have been converted into places of meeting and celebration today. Also of great interest are the ruins of the first Carthusian Monastery on the Iberian Peninsula - Scala Dei (“The Stairway of God”). These lands produce wines with two different designations of origin –the Priorat Qualified Designation of Origin and the Montsant Designation of Origin- both of high quality and considerable international prestige, thanks to the sun and climatic characteristics found in the Park. The Montsant area is also known for its excellent Protected Designation of Origin Siurana olive oil. (source: costadaurada.info)
Amfiteatre de Tarragona
s/n Parc de l'amfiteatrePriorat is a small but renowned red winemaking region located just south of Barcelona, Spain. Find out what makes Priorat’s wines so unique, and what to look for when seeking out a great bottle.
Those of us who have an obsession for bold red wines gravitate to places like Priorat: a tiny mountainous region, rugged and dry, pretty much unsuitable for any other crop… except for wine grapes and olives. Add to this situation the intense love of the Mediterranean sun, and Priorat ascends to the top of the rich, ripe red wine pantheon.
The future for this big-red-wine lovers mecca wasn’t alway secure. Priorat had all but disappeared as wine-growing region by the mid-1970s, due to fascist dictator Fancisco Franco’s subsistence-based agricultural policy and the remoteness of the region.
Inspired by French quality winemaking and the dramatic nature of Priorat’s vineyards, a handful of winemakers decided to reclaim Priorat for quality wine in the late 1980s. They took a risk and attempted to make great wine in the mountains outside of Barcelona. Lucky for us, their ambition worked wonders. (source: winefolly)
38 residents recomanen
Priorat
Priorat is a small but renowned red winemaking region located just south of Barcelona, Spain. Find out what makes Priorat’s wines so unique, and what to look for when seeking out a great bottle.
Those of us who have an obsession for bold red wines gravitate to places like Priorat: a tiny mountainous region, rugged and dry, pretty much unsuitable for any other crop… except for wine grapes and olives. Add to this situation the intense love of the Mediterranean sun, and Priorat ascends to the top of the rich, ripe red wine pantheon.
The future for this big-red-wine lovers mecca wasn’t alway secure. Priorat had all but disappeared as wine-growing region by the mid-1970s, due to fascist dictator Fancisco Franco’s subsistence-based agricultural policy and the remoteness of the region.
Inspired by French quality winemaking and the dramatic nature of Priorat’s vineyards, a handful of winemakers decided to reclaim Priorat for quality wine in the late 1980s. They took a risk and attempted to make great wine in the mountains outside of Barcelona. Lucky for us, their ambition worked wonders. (source: winefolly)
Ebro
Centre d'Estudis de la Batalla de l'Ebre
3-5 Avinguda de CatalunyaMuseum about Spanish Civil war
Visit old lead mines in Priorat region!
7 residents recomanen
Museu de les Mines de Bellmunt del Priorat
s/n Carretera de la MinaVisit old lead mines in Priorat region!
Porrera
Picture-postcard village in Priorat
Tortosa
Cathedrale de Tarragona
Siurana
Picture-postcard village overlooking mountains and a water dam.
The mountains surrounding our village! Beautiful landscapes full of peace.
14 residents recomanen
Serra de Llaberia
The mountains surrounding our village! Beautiful landscapes full of peace.
Tivissa
Typical medieval village nearby.
Celler Cooperatiu de Gandesa
28 Avinguda de CatalunyaRoques de Benet
Centre Picasso d'Orta
s/n Carrer de l'HospitalPorts de Tortosa-Beseit
Cycle through an old railway! https://terresdelebre.travel/en/que-fer/turisme-actiu/via-verda
Vía Verde de la Terra Alta
Cycle through an old railway! https://terresdelebre.travel/en/que-fer/turisme-actiu/via-verda
ESGAMBI
19 Carrer de Sant MiquelCanyoning in Canaletes river!
Faig Pare
One of the southermostest beech groves in Europe. Small but a wonderful sight in autumn.
Food scene
Restaurant El Cairat
3 Carrer NouEl Celler de l'Aspic
31 C. de Miquel BarcelóBrots restaurant
45 Carrer Nou
Restaurante Villa Retiro
2 Carrer Cami dels MolinsRestaurante L’Antic Molí
Restaurant Rincón de Diego
19 Carrer de les DrassanesRestaurant Can Bosch
19 Rambla de Jaume ILes Moles
Km. 2 carretera de la SéniaRecomanacions sobre la ciutat
No t'ho perdis
Taste the "coca de xocolata"
Don't forget to taste the famous "coca de xocolata" in La Serra d'Almos. It's a traditional pastry full of chocolate and it's the very best in the region. Beware you'll probably have to queue for some time if you try to buy it on weekends since people for neighboring flock there just to buy it. The "famous" one it's in "Forn Cristina Miró" but I advise you to try the one in "Ca la Nati" too. They are both fantastic!
Costums i cultura
Remember parking it's not permitted in some places!
Please remember parking it's not permitted in the main square and most of the main street. Just ask if you have doubts!
No t'ho perdis
Don't miss to buy local olive oil and wine!
Don't miss to buy local olive oil in the local shop (best olive oil in the World in 2005, Romanico Esencia prize).
Also there is fantastic wine to buy both in the local shop and in Celler Cedó Anguera.
Frases útils
Check this for basic Catalan phrases!
https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/catalan.php
Fes la reserva abans de marxar
Book tours in advance!
Remember the region it's still unexplored for most travelers! You need to book in advance most visits, specially if you want an English guide!
Ask me if you need help!
Com moure's per aquí
Getting around
The nearest train station from the house are "Móra la Nova" and "Guiamets - La Serra". There is a bus to Móra d'Ebre. On most workdays it departs to Mora d'Ebre (9.25) and back to La Serra d'Almos (13.05).
No t'ho perdis
Swim in a pound nearby!
Get a refreshing swim in a nearby pound. For example "Tollets de Capçanes", "Estrets d'Arnes", "El Parrissal", "Toll de l'Ou" or "Olles de Bot". You can ask me in advance since there is not always water in them.
No t'ho perdis
Public swimming pool
We have a public swimming pool near the house. Ask me for the latest prices. It's opened during most of the summer.