Ardenya: Discover Churches, History and Trails

Ardenya brings together historic religious buildings, irrigated gardens and hiking trails to create a multifaceted local landscape. Those who wish to explore culture, landscape and movement through the history of a place will find several different ways to do so here.

Culture and History

The Festa Major of Ardenya is celebrated on Saint George’s Day. Ardenya was an independent parish until 1842. The Church of Sant Jordi d’Ardenya is a Baroque building in the Neoclassical style and probably dates from 1764.

The church’s very simple façade has a portal with a segmental arch. Its bell tower has an octagonal upper section on a square plan. The altars of Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Anthony and Saint Isidore were created in 1766; the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates from 1911.

The old church of Ardenya is a small rectangular Romanesque building made of masonry reinforced at the corners with ashlar blocks. The former medieval cemetery of Ardenya is attached to the building. Inside, the old church has a slightly pointed barrel vault in the Romanesque tradition. This small building therefore also displays its own architectural language alongside the simple façade of the later church.

The Torre de l’Abella has a circular plan and is partially in ruins. The tower is medieval in origin and is thought to have probably served around the year 1000 to monitor the road near the entrance to the village. Together with the two churches, it offers a view of the village’s different architectural and historical layers.

Landscape

Ardenya is surrounded by irrigated gardens; hazel bushes grow on the higher slopes. The village is one of four irrigation areas that still exist in the region. In the mid-19th century, hemp, beans and cereals were grown there. The combination of cultivated areas and elevations makes the landscape understandable in its different levels.

Trails

The Camí de les Terres del Gaià runs from El Catllar to La Riera de Gaià, passing through Ardenya. A route documented as a 15 km circular hike runs from El Catllar via Pujol Rodó, Alzineta, La Riera de Gaià, Ardenya and Cativera, returning to El Catllar. The documented circular hike runs via Pujol Rodó, Alzineta, La Riera de Gaià, Ardenya and Cativera, returning to El Catllar; its course thus connects several local and landscape points in a set sequence.

Another hiking route connects La Riera de Gaià, Ardenya and the Camí de l’Alzineta. Ardenya also lies along the T-203 road from El Catllar to La Riera de Gaià. The 15 kilometres of the circular hike and the two route descriptions can be considered separately when making your own plans.

This information helps you clearly determine the type of stay you want before booking.

Further destinations

Further destinations: El Perelló, Bellmunt del Priorat, El Milà, Xerta, Alforja, Pira, Margalef, La Canonja

For the main travel overview: Tarragona.