Pira: Gypsum Quarries, Architectural Heritage and Festivals

Pira is situated on a small hill surrounded by the Torrentill stream and a natural basin of the Anguera River. The Anguera is a tributary of the Francolí. This location connects the townscape with the course of the waterways and forms the geographical setting for the town’s paths, buildings and festivals.

Nature

The Route de les pedreres de Pira is a family-friendly, signposted route. It runs through the plains of Pira and passes through a landscape of high ecological value. The route leads to former gypsum quarries and gypsum kilns; some of them were very active until the end of the 20th century. The historical character of these facilities thus remains a distinct part of the trail.

On the Camí de la Senyera, visitors can discover some of Pira’s most representative gypsum quarries. The route also offers views of the Conca de Barberà. The two paths therefore have different focuses: the Route de les pedreres combines plains, an ecological landscape and former gypsum extraction, while the Camí de la Senyera highlights the quarries and the view across the Conca de Barberà.

At Tossal de la Bala, the mountain bordering the municipality of Pira, there is a camping area with a water supply, showers, toilets, parking spaces and a municipal swimming pool.

For planning a day, the nature-related themes can be considered separately: signposted paths, former gypsum quarries, gypsum kilns, the neighbouring mountain and views of the Conca de Barberà each represent a distinct aspect of the surroundings.

Culture

Several manor houses from the 18th century have been preserved in Pira’s old town, including Cal Celdoni, Cal Batllevell and Cal Poblet. Their names make the town’s historical architectural heritage tangible through individual buildings.

The Celler del Sindicat Agrícola in Pira is a Modernist building designed by the architect Cèsar Martinell. The winery of the Cooperativa Agrícola de Pira was inaugurated in 1919. Pira therefore has both a Modernist building associated by name with Martinell and a building with a specific inauguration year.

The cultural themes thus range from 18th-century manor houses and Modernism to the winery of the Cooperativa Agrícola. Together with the paths to the former gypsum quarries, this creates a sequence of different local and historical references, without nature and architectural heritage having the same focus.

Other destinations

Other destinations: Ardenya, Sant Salvador, Tortosa, Vilaverd, Bràfim, Aiguamúrcia-Santes Creus, Rasquera, and Masllorenç.

Festivals

Pira’s Festa Major is celebrated for Sant Salvador in August. Pira’s smaller Festa Major Petita is celebrated for Sant Sebastià in May. The two dates therefore fall in different months and represent two separate seasonal reference points in the town’s calendar.

The nature trails, preserved buildings and the two festival dates provide different thematic approaches to Pira. Depending on the travel period, the festival calendar can complement the landscape and cultural themes without merging them in terms of content.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Tarragona.