Preixens: Historic Town Centre, Castle and Cultural Route

The historic town centre of Preixens grew considerably in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was once a walled town. Nothing remains of the former gates; nor do the walls from that time survive.

History

Older architectural elements from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved in the area around the former Church of Sant Llorenç. The present parish church of Sant Pere de Preixens is a small modern-era building. Its bell tower has a square ground plan.

The two churches represent different historical periods. At Sant Llorenç, the surviving elements point to the earlier building history, while Sant Pere is characterised by its modern-era origins and clearly defined bell tower.

Buildings

Castell de Preixens is located at the highest point of the village of Preixens. The surviving remains of its old structure are attributed to the 10th century. In the 16th century, the castle was extensively rebuilt and transformed into a Renaissance-style manor house.

If you visit the castle, access from Plaça Major is via steps built against the rock.

Northeast of the village of Preixens, the Mare de Déu de la Gorga shrine lies amid fields. Mare de Déu de la Gorga includes a heavily deteriorated Romanesque church. Its nave has a single aisle, and its apse is semicircular.

To reach the shrine, follow the C-240 from Agramunt to Artesa. 800 metres from kilometre 8, a well-drivable track branches off to the right. This track runs for 750 metres from the road to the shrine.

The access route is therefore described in successive sections: the C-240 forms the main road route, followed by the described turn onto the track leading to the shrine. The information about the steps at the castle and the track near Mare de Déu de la Gorga identifies the respective forms of access.

Route

The “Búnquers, Refugis i Trinxeres de la Guerra Civil” route is a cultural route featuring the remains of the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. It is 20 kilometres long.

The route begins in Preixens and ends in La Sentiu de Sió. From Preixens, it follows the Canal d’Urgell to Les Ventoses.

The defined route length and the named starting and ending points give the route a clear geographical framework. The course along the Canal d’Urgell is just as much part of the description as the historical remains to which the cultural route is dedicated.

Festival

The Festa Major de Preixens traditionally takes place over the last weekend of August. Visitors who take this date into account when planning their trip will find the local festival period at the end of August.

The Festa Major includes dances with orchestral music and a botifarra championship. Both events are part of the traditional festival.

For a stay in Preixens, a holiday apartment can provide a suitable setting for planning your own trip.

Other places: Lladrós, Cava, Tendrui, Coll De Nargó, Ventolà, La Seu D'urgell, Argestues, Guixers

For the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.