Walls, terraces and olive trees. The Land of the greatest Olive Oil.
The itinerary suggested here takes you on a journey around the small towns of the Priorat region which base the larger part of their agricultural activity on the production of olive oil of the finest quality, with Siurana Designation of Origin. The most outstanding variety is the Arbequina, which was introduced into this region in the 16th century by the Duke of Medinaceli. Characteristic of the area are the terraces planted with olive trees that overcome the variation in height via dry stone walls, all of which lends itself to a most peculiar landscape. The harvesting of olives by hand (which enables the farmers to
determine the optimum moment of their growth), the extraction of the oil by simple pressure at low temperature and the selection of the first pressing are the only criteria accepted for obtaining this oil, as well as being the factors that determine its low acid content and smooth taste. The agricultural co-operatives, where you can taste and purchase new oil, play an important role in the production and marketing process.
You enter FALSET along the N-420 road. This is the regional capital, where you will see the important Modernist building that houses the Cooperativa Agrícola, designed by Gaudí's disciple Cèsar Martinell in 1919. Other points of interest are the parish church, the Mediaeval castle of the Counts of Prades, the Portal del Bou, the arcaded Plaça de La Quartera with the Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli (1630), the present-day town hall, the Palace of the Counts of Azahara (18th century) and the marvellous red rock landscape by the Sant Gregori hermitage, 2 kms outside Falset in the direction of Reus.
You come straightaway to the town of MARÇÀ, lying on flat terrain amid fertile fields. Its Cooperativa Agrícola has just opened an oil mill with the most up-to-date technology (the
¿Molí de la Mola¿), which brings in the olive crop of several towns. Also of interest are the Baroque church of Sant Joan and the LULA PÉREZ-MARÇÀ-GINÉ Sculpture Museum .
EL MASROIG. This town is surrounded by a red earth landscape that conceals legendary out-of-the-way spots like La Mare de Déu de les Pinyeres hermitage and the proto-historical settlement of El Puig Roig del Roget (9th-7th centuries B.C.). Its cellar co-operative is at the forefront of both wine and oil production. EL MOLAR still has Celtiberian and Roman archaeological remains in the district of Mount Calvari and the old fountain, where you will see a field enclosure with urns (numbering 172 urns). Like some other towns in the area, this town was famous for its mining activities, with digging for lead, baryta, manganese and the popular clay or earth that served in times past to remove grease stains.
LA FIGUERA will surprise you with its extraordinary view over the region and surrounding areas, which you catch a glimpse of from different lookout points like that of the Balcó del Priorat (the pass of Els Solans), that of El Guixar or that of Sant Pau hermitage. Nor should we forget to recommend the typical dish of the town: crestes de La Figuera.
You come to LA VILELLA BAIXA, a very picturesque town with difficult, narrow streets to climb like "No Passa" street, a clear testimony to Mediaeval times. Also worthy of note is the church of Sant Joan Baptista. The bridge over the River Montsant, with the background of the very tall houses that are so characteristic of La Vilella Baixa, offers an unequalled view over the town.
LA VILELLA ALTA is a tiny village perched on top of a rise very close to the Montsant Serra (the southern slopes). The parish church has an altarpiece from 1700; but most worthy of mention is the olive oil mill, which markets a high-quality product. You re-take your route as far as the turning off to La Figuera and you keep on to your right along the T-702 as far as
Cabacés.
Another small town in the area for good oil is CABACÉS. Its land once formed part of the Barony of Cabacés, a name that has been adopted for the oil produced by the town's Agricultural Co-operative, where you can watch the interesting production process. Hermitages of interest include La Foia, Sant Roc and Sant Joan. Worth noting is the Gothic
altarpiece of the Borassà school in the parish church. The "Pont Vell", the Mediaeval bridge, is in a good state of repair. You can also visit the Miquel Montagud Museum in Cabacés.
LA BISBAL DE FALSET is one of the towns with the longest olive oil-producing tradition (it still has remains of the old "Lliura mills" (traditional olive oil mills) and an important annual production. You can see the Cave-Hermitage of Santa Llúcia, where a trickle of water rises up and where people bathe their eyes and cure themselves of problems with their sight.
In MARGALEF DE MONTSANT the rock establishes the direction of the streets, provides support for the houses and decorates the whole enclosure. The Sant Salvador hermitage is interesting. The olive tree provides the most widespread form of cultivation in the area.
You can bring your itinerary to a close in ULLDEMOLINS. Its "Sant Jaume Apòstol" Agricultural Co-operative is one of only two in the area that manufacture organic olive oil, a crop favoured by the local microclimate. The olive harvesting process is a completely natural one: plague insects are combated with effective antidotes (predatory insects and
plague parasites) and the natural sub-products of the area are employed as fertilisers (manure, vegetable remains). In a similar way, the oil is extracted by taking extreme care over the quality of the product, by working with it fresh. Other attractions are the 16th century Renaissance church, La Mare de Déu de Loreto hermitage, the Sant Antoni and Santa
Magdalena hermitages and the Sant Bartomeu Romanesque hermitage, standing in the spectacular gorge of Fraguerau.
determine the optimum moment of their growth), the extraction of the oil by simple pressure at low temperature and the selection of the first pressing are the only criteria accepted for obtaining this oil, as well as being the factors that determine its low acid content and smooth taste. The agricultural co-operatives, where you can taste and purchase new oil, play an important role in the production and marketing process.
You enter FALSET along the N-420 road. This is the regional capital, where you will see the important Modernist building that houses the Cooperativa Agrícola, designed by Gaudí's disciple Cèsar Martinell in 1919. Other points of interest are the parish church, the Mediaeval castle of the Counts of Prades, the Portal del Bou, the arcaded Plaça de La Quartera with the Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli (1630), the present-day town hall, the Palace of the Counts of Azahara (18th century) and the marvellous red rock landscape by the Sant Gregori hermitage, 2 kms outside Falset in the direction of Reus.
You come straightaway to the town of MARÇÀ, lying on flat terrain amid fertile fields. Its Cooperativa Agrícola has just opened an oil mill with the most up-to-date technology (the
¿Molí de la Mola¿), which brings in the olive crop of several towns. Also of interest are the Baroque church of Sant Joan and the LULA PÉREZ-MARÇÀ-GINÉ Sculpture Museum .
EL MASROIG. This town is surrounded by a red earth landscape that conceals legendary out-of-the-way spots like La Mare de Déu de les Pinyeres hermitage and the proto-historical settlement of El Puig Roig del Roget (9th-7th centuries B.C.). Its cellar co-operative is at the forefront of both wine and oil production. EL MOLAR still has Celtiberian and Roman archaeological remains in the district of Mount Calvari and the old fountain, where you will see a field enclosure with urns (numbering 172 urns). Like some other towns in the area, this town was famous for its mining activities, with digging for lead, baryta, manganese and the popular clay or earth that served in times past to remove grease stains.
LA FIGUERA will surprise you with its extraordinary view over the region and surrounding areas, which you catch a glimpse of from different lookout points like that of the Balcó del Priorat (the pass of Els Solans), that of El Guixar or that of Sant Pau hermitage. Nor should we forget to recommend the typical dish of the town: crestes de La Figuera.
You come to LA VILELLA BAIXA, a very picturesque town with difficult, narrow streets to climb like "No Passa" street, a clear testimony to Mediaeval times. Also worthy of note is the church of Sant Joan Baptista. The bridge over the River Montsant, with the background of the very tall houses that are so characteristic of La Vilella Baixa, offers an unequalled view over the town.
LA VILELLA ALTA is a tiny village perched on top of a rise very close to the Montsant Serra (the southern slopes). The parish church has an altarpiece from 1700; but most worthy of mention is the olive oil mill, which markets a high-quality product. You re-take your route as far as the turning off to La Figuera and you keep on to your right along the T-702 as far as
Cabacés.
Another small town in the area for good oil is CABACÉS. Its land once formed part of the Barony of Cabacés, a name that has been adopted for the oil produced by the town's Agricultural Co-operative, where you can watch the interesting production process. Hermitages of interest include La Foia, Sant Roc and Sant Joan. Worth noting is the Gothic
altarpiece of the Borassà school in the parish church. The "Pont Vell", the Mediaeval bridge, is in a good state of repair. You can also visit the Miquel Montagud Museum in Cabacés.
LA BISBAL DE FALSET is one of the towns with the longest olive oil-producing tradition (it still has remains of the old "Lliura mills" (traditional olive oil mills) and an important annual production. You can see the Cave-Hermitage of Santa Llúcia, where a trickle of water rises up and where people bathe their eyes and cure themselves of problems with their sight.
In MARGALEF DE MONTSANT the rock establishes the direction of the streets, provides support for the houses and decorates the whole enclosure. The Sant Salvador hermitage is interesting. The olive tree provides the most widespread form of cultivation in the area.
You can bring your itinerary to a close in ULLDEMOLINS. Its "Sant Jaume Apòstol" Agricultural Co-operative is one of only two in the area that manufacture organic olive oil, a crop favoured by the local microclimate. The olive harvesting process is a completely natural one: plague insects are combated with effective antidotes (predatory insects and
plague parasites) and the natural sub-products of the area are employed as fertilisers (manure, vegetable remains). In a similar way, the oil is extracted by taking extreme care over the quality of the product, by working with it fresh. Other attractions are the 16th century Renaissance church, La Mare de Déu de Loreto hermitage, the Sant Antoni and Santa
Magdalena hermitages and the Sant Bartomeu Romanesque hermitage, standing in the spectacular gorge of Fraguerau.
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Olive Oil (2)
- Priorat county olive oils Geological characteristics, limestone soils, slate-based soils and granite, coupled with extreme temperatures (hot summers and cold winters) are all favourable factors for the cultivation of the olive tree. All these factors give the olives their own distinctive taste and aroma which are unique to the Priorat region.
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Priorat Olive Growers Association
A group of olive oil producing co-operatives decided to create the Priorat Olive Growers Association in 2002. (AOP). The association is aimed at improving the quality of the raw product, the production process and the distribution and sales of Priorat olive oil.
Villages (11)
- Cabacés | Cabacés is to be found in the North-eastern corner of the county, on a little hill between two ravines of Comes and Montsant river. Formerly the land belonged to the Barony of Cabacés.
- El Masroig | Al sud oest de la comarca, dalt de la carena d’un petit turó, s’alça El Masroig. S’hi pot arribar per carretera des de Falset per la N-420 i la T-7340; des de Móra la Nova per la N-420 i per la T-7341 i des del Molar per la T-7340.
- El Molar | El Molar està situat a l’oest de la comarca, a la dreta del riu Siurana. S’hi pot accedir per carretera des de Falset per la N-420 i la T-734 (pel Masroig); des de Móra la Nova per la T-720 (fins a Garcia) i d’aquí per la T-731; des del Lloar per la T-732 i des de La Figuera per la T-730.
- Falset | Falset, capital del Priorat, es troba situada al sud est de la comarca, en una vall envoltada de muntanyes, entre elles la Roca Roja, el Morral i la Serra de Llaberia i al mateix centre de la conca del riu Siurana, entre el camp de Tarragona i el nus de l’Ebre.
- La Bisbal de Falset | This village is to be found in the extreme north-east of Priorat county in the Montsant river valley, perched on the top of a big rock.
- La Figuera | La Figuera is to be found in the Western area of the county. This area is dominated by cliffs and and the Montsant mountain range.
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La Vilella Alta
| Situat al nord est de la comarca, aquest municipi es troba dalt d’un turó i envoltat pel Montsant, per les serres de La Figuera i pel coll de la Consolació. Ubicat a la zona meridional del Montsant, el poble és drenat pel riu d’Scala Dei, que travessa la localitat abans d’afluir al riu Montsant, a l’alçada de La Vilella Baixa.
Per carretera s’hi accedeix des de Falset per la T-710 (per Gratallops i La Vilella Baixa) i per la T-702 (a la Vilella Alta). Des de Cornudella per la C-242 (per La Venta d’en Pubill) i la T-702 (per Poboleda, Scala Dei fins La Vilella Alta); des de Margalef per la T-714 (per La Bisbal de Falset) i la T-702 (per Cabacés, La Vilella Baixa fins La Vilella Alta); des de Margalef per la T-714 (per La Bisbal de Falset) i la T-702 (per Cabacés, La Vilella Baixa fins La Vilella Alta). -
La Vilella Baixa
| La Vilella Baixa està situada a l’est de la comarca, emplaçada a redós de la Serra de Montsant, i és punt de confluència de dos rius, al mateix nucli de la població: el Montsant i el riuet d’Scala Dei.
S’hi arriba per carretera des de Falset per la T-710 (per Gratallops); des de Cabacés per la T-702; des de Cornudella de Montsant per la C-242 (per La Venta d’en Pubill) i la T-702 (per Poboleda, Scala Dei i La Vilella Alta); des de Reus per la N-420 (per Falset) i la T-710 (per Gratallops). -
Marçà
| Al sud est de la comarca, separat del Baix Camp per la Serra de Llaberia i la Mola de Colldejou, al peu del turó de la Miloquera, hi trobem Marçà.
S’hi pot arribar per carretera des de Falset per la T-300; des de la Torre de Fontaubella per la TV-3001; des de Capçanes per la TV-3002 i des de Móra la Nova per la N-420 i la T-367. Marçà compta amb un baixador de la línia de ferrocarril Madrid-Barcelona, el qual comparteix amb Falset. -
Margalef de Montsant
| Es troba al nord oest de la comarca, a la part dreta de la vall del riu Montsant, que forma, entre el massís del Montsant i la Serra La Llena, un impressionant congost, continuació del de Fraguerau.
S’hi pot accedir per carretera des de Falset per la T-710 (de Gratallops a La Vilella Baixa), continuant per la T-702 (de Cabacés a La Bisbal de Falset) i des d’aquest darrer per la T-713; des de Les Garrigues per la C-242 i la T-713; des de Flix (Ribera d’Ebre) per la T-703 (per La Palma d’Ebre), continuant per la T-702 (fins a La Bisbal de Falset) i d’aquí per la T-713. -
Ulldemolins
| Ulldemolins és la població situada més al nord de la comarca, a la vall del riu Montsant. S’obre pas en un abrupte congost entre els vessants meridionals de la Serra de La Llena i els septentrionals del massís del Montsant.
S’hi accedeix per carretera des de Reus per la N-420 (per Les Borges del Camp) i la C-242 (per Cornudella); des de Falset per la N-420 i la T-7401 (per Porrera), la T-7402 (per La Venta d’en Pubill) i la C-242; des de Les Garrigues per la C-242 i des de Margalef per la T-7130 i la C-242.
Priorat on foot (7)
- La Figuera la Vilella | Xarxa de camins | Km. 4 | 360%
- Itinerari 1: La Morera de Montsant | Camins del Montsant | Km. 6
- Itinerari 2 Montsant: Ulldemolins | Camins del Montsant | Km. 9
- Itinerari 3 Montsant: Margalef | Camins del Montsant | Km. 9
- Itinerari 6 Montsant: La Vilella Alta | Camins del Montsant | Km. 7
- Itinerari 8 Montsant: La Bisbal de Falset | Camins del Montsant | Km. 9.2 | 350%
- Pins i roures a Fontalba - Ulldemolins | Camins del Montsant | Km. 3 | 50%
Wineries (7)
- Agrícola Falset Marçà | Falset | D.O. Montsant | No cal reservar | Miquel Barceló, 31 | 977 830 105 | E-mail | Web
- Celler Domini de la Cartoixa | El Molar | D.O.Q Priorat | Dies sense reserva | Camí de la Solana, s/n | 606 443 736 | E-mail | Web
- Celler el Masroig | El Masroig | D.O. Montsant | Cal reserva | Passeig de l'Arbre, 3 | 977 825 026 | 680 573 661 | E-mail | Web
- Celler Laurona | Falset | D.O. Montsant | Dies sense reserva | Ctra. de Bellmunt, s/n - Polígon Sort dels Capellans, 21 | 977 831 712 | 678 710 267 | E-mail | Web
- Celler Mas de l'Abundància | El Masroig | D.O. Montsant | Cal reserva | Camí de Gratallops, s/n | 649 326 001 | 637 415 263 | Web
- Celler Mas de les Vinyes | Cabacés | D.O. Montsant | Cal reserva | Mas de les Vinyes, s/n. Ctra. de Cabacés a la Bisbal de Falset Km.27-28 a 300mts. | 652 568 848 | 649 989 173 | E-mail | Web
- Ficària Vins | La Figuera | D.O. Montsant | Dies sense reserva | Priorat, 12 | 617 548 453 | E-mail | Web
Olive oil route (1)
- Cooperativa del Masroig | El Masroig | Passeig de l’arbre, 3 | 977 825 026 | E-mail | Web
Places of Interest (8)
- LaTaverna Cave | Margalef de Montsant | Cova
- Santa Llúcia Cave | La Bisbal de Falset | Cova | Ajuntament de La Bisbal de Falset | La Palma, 4 | 977819012
- El balcó del Priorat del coll d’en Solans (The Balcony of the Priorat viewed from the Solans Pass) | La Figuera | Cova
- Sant Gregori Hermitage | Falset | Ermita
- Miquel Montagud Museum in Cabacés | Cabacés | Racó | C/. Major, 72 | 977 839 518
- Bellmunt del Priorat Lead Mine and Museum | Bellmunt del Priorat | Racó | Carretera de la Mina, s/n. | 626 384 706 |
- Marçaginé-Lula Pérez Sculpture Museum | Marçà | Racó | C/. De Dalt, 58 | 977 178 000
- Puig Roig del Roget (Archaeological Remains) | El Masroig | Racó
Ideas (3)
- Wine and Food Vacations in Priorat Gourmet vacations including accommodation in a boutique hotel for 6 people. Classes are based on traditional Catalan cuisine.
- Winery Tour and Wine and Food pairing meal Winery tour followed by a wine and food pairing at Celler de l'Aspic restaurant in Falset.
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Winery Tours
Priorat County wineries open their doors....
Festivals and Events (2)
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Priorat Wine Fair in Falset
The Priorat county celebrates its annual Wine Fair the first weekend of May. It is dedicated to the two wine appellations of the county, the DOC Priorat and the DO Montsant.
WINE FAIR 2012
5TH & 6TH MAY - Ulldemolins Omelette in its own Sauce Festival The village of Ulldemolins celebrates its famous Omelette in its own Sauce festival, based on a local Priorat dish.
Paisatges del vi (12)
- CABACÉS | L'OLI UN TRESOR PER ALS SENTITS
- EL MASROIG | DELS IBERS A L'EXCEL·LÈNCIA
- EL MOLAR | ENTRE RAÏMS I OLIVERES
- FALSET (CASTELL) | UNA COMARCA, DUES DENOMINACIONS D’ORIGEN VITIVINÍCOLES
- FALSET (COOPERATIVA | L'ESPERIT COOPERATIU
- LA BISBAL DE FALSET | LES SENSACIONS DE L'OLI
- LA FIGUERA | TOT UN ESPECTACLE!
- LA VILELLA ALTA | PA, VI I OLI
- LA VILELLA BAIXA | LA NOVA YORK DEL PRIORAT
- MARÇA | EL VI DE SEGLES
- MARGALEF | ELS MOLINS D'OLI
- ULLDEMOLINS | ELS MIRADORS DE L'OLI
Accommodation (9)
- Apartaments Ca la Victòria | La Vilella Baixa | Apartament | Riu, 10 | 977 839 008 | 635 923 264 | E-mail |
- Apartaments Falset | Falset | Apartament | Vallmoreres, 14 | 977 830 157 | E-mail | Web
- Ca la Mari | Cabacés | Allotjament rural | Balmes, 8 | 933 454 031 | 696 917 736 | E-mail | Web
- Ca la Viola | Marçà | Agroturisme | De Dalt, 18 | 977 178 288 | 669 565 651 | E-mail | Web
- L'Abadia | La Vilella Alta | Allotjament rural | Pl. de la Vila, 3 | 977 839 477 | 659 424 031 | E-mail | Web
- La Vinya del Pare | Marçà | Allotjament rural | Ctra. T-322 de Marçà-La Torre de Fontaubella, km 1,4 | 977 178 346 | 677 708 115 | E-mail | Web
- Mas Figueres | Marçà | Allotjament rural | Ctra. T-300 de Falset-Marçà, km. 2 | 977 178 011 | 687 814 144 | E-mail | Web
- Perxe | El Molar | Allotjament rural | De la Font, s/n | 977 825 504 | 670 544 420 | E-mail | Web
- Rosa Vernet | El Masroig | Allotjament rural | Passeig de l'Arbre, 6 | 977 825 154 | 675 423 892
Restaurants (16)
- El Cairat | Falset | Restaurant | Nou, 3 | 977 830 481 | 620 928 618 | E-mail | Web
- El Celler | Marçà | Restaurant | De la Bassa, 10 | 977 178 147 | 626 325 462
- El Celler De L'Aspic | Falset | Restaurant | Miquel Barceló, 31 | 977 831 246 | E-mail | Web
- El Racó de la Figuera | La Figuera | Restaurant-Bar | Carretera s/n | 650 900 927 | 977 402 490
- El Tomb | Falset | Restaurant-Bar | Miquel Barceló, 20 | 695 168 219 | E-mail
- Espai de Tapa | Falset | Restaurant-Bar | Miquel Barceló, 18 | 977 830 387 | E-mail |
- Fonda La Figuera | La Figuera | Restaurant-Bar | Carretera, 16 | 977 825 227 | E-mail
- Fonda Nacional | Falset | Hostal-Restaurant | Av. Catalunya, 8 | 977 830 157
- La Morera | La Morera de Montsant | Restaurant | De la Bassa, 10 | 977 827 031 | E-mail
- La Piscina | Falset | Restaurant-Bar | Av. Generalitat, s/n | 977 831 042 | E-mail | Web
- La Plaça | Marçà | Restaurant-Bar | Pl. de les Arenes, 3 | 977 178 002 | E-mail |
- Les Agulles | Marçà | Restaurant-Bar | Estació de RENFE de Marçà-Falset | 977 178 215 | E-mail | Web
- Mas Trucafort | Falset | Restaurant | Carretera Falset-Bellmunt, Km. 1,5 | 977 830 160 | 609 679 570 | E-mail | Web
- Neus | Cabacés | Restaurant | Puntarre, 2 | 977 839 234
- Nou 21 | El Masroig | Restaurant-Bar | Nou, 21 | 977 825 010
- Quinoa | Falset | Restaurant | Miquel Barceló, 29 | 977 830 431 | E-mail | Web
Outdoor and Leisure Activity Companies (1)
- Catsud | El Masroig | Plaça Vila, 16 | 626 684 917 | E-mail | Web
Specialist wine shops (1)
- Vinateria Aguiló | Falset | Miquel Barceló, 11 | 977 830 776 | E-mail | Web
Tourist Information Offices (4)
- Oficina de Turisme d'Ulldemolins | Ulldemolins | Plaça de l'Església, 2 | 977561866
- Punt d'Informació del Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant a Cabacés | Cabacés | Puntarré, s/n
- Punt d'Informació del Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant de la Vilella Baixa | La Vilella Baixa | Catalunya, s/n | 659750671
- Punt d'Informació del Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant de Margalef | Margalef de Montsant | C. dels Molins, 60 | 977 819 825
