Vallfogona de Riucorb: Old Town, Church and Forest Paths

Vallfogona de Riucorb showcases its medieval old town, with the Plaça Major, small squares and atmospheric corners.

Find more destinations here: Riudecols, Escaladei, El Catllar, Margalef, Capafonts, Figuerola Del Camp, El Baix Penedès and Xerta.

Culture

Two side chapels inside the parish church house the Espai d’interpretació del Rector de Vallfogona. The exhibition presents the life, work, poetry and legends of the poet.

Santa Maria de Vallfogona preserves a slightly pointed Romanesque vault, predominantly Gothic elements and later repairs.

The clock in the tower of Santa Maria de Vallfogona dates from the 16th century and is considered one of the oldest in Spain.

The parish of Santa Maria de Vallfogona is first documented in the parish lists of the Diocese of Vic from the late 11th and early 12th centuries.

According to tradition, the main portal of Santa Maria de Vallfogona contains architectural elements from the former chapel of Sant Pere dels Bigats.

The Espai d'entorn rural displays miniatures by Llorenç Solé, as well as a collection of agricultural tools assembled with the support of several local families.

Information panels in this exhibition space explain agricultural work processes.

A telephone appointment at 977 88 00 75 or 977 88 05 90 is required to visit the Espai d'entorn rural.

The Passeig poètic leads through the streets and squares of Vallfogona and features ceramic murals with significant passages from the poetry of the Rector de Vallfogona, including themes of love, burlesque and satire.

A prior reservation at 977 88 00 75 or 977 88 05 90 is also required for the Espai d'interpretació del Rector de Vallfogona; reservations are accepted from Monday to Friday.

History

The Creu dels Penjats is a Gothic stone wayside cross from the 14th to 15th century, dating from the Hospitaller period.

The remains of the Creu dels Penjats lie near their original location, beside two holm oaks at the end of the path from the village to Era del Ferrer.

Sant Pere dels Bigats is documented in 945 as an old Benedictine priory of the monastery of Santa Cecília de Montserrat.

The reconstructed figure of Sant Pere dels Bigats has had an altar on the roof of the parish church since 2010.

The inhabitants of Vallfogona de Riucorb vowed to hold an annual thanksgiving procession to the chapel of Sant Pere dels Bigats; the procession was subsequently held as well.

The celebration of Sant Cristòfol in Vallfogona de Riucorb takes place on 10 July.

Several old windows and the boundary walls of the former castle grounds are still visible on the exterior of Vallfogona Castle; the castle is privately owned.

Nature

Molí de la Cadena consists of two grain mills, known as Molí de Dalt, the upper mill, and Molí de Baix, the lower mill.

The upper mill retains the appearance of a medieval tower, with a round-arched portal made of voussoirs and a machicolated defensive structure.

Inside, the lower mill of Molí de la Cadena preserves its old structure, with a pointed roof and diaphragm arches.

A brick chimney from the steam engine remains in the fields near Molí de la Cadena.

The circular route Volta a Vallfogona de Riucorb begins beside the former 12th-century mill Molí del Perelló, which was later converted into a residential building.

Carrer Johan Cruyff is the starting and finishing point of the signposted routes from Vallfogona de Riucorb.

The hike to Font d’en Ballart and the remains of the chapel of Sant Pere dels Bigats passes through pine and holm-oak forests as well as abandoned, wooded terraces.

In the immediate vicinity of Vallfogona de Riucorb lies the Balneari de Vallfogona, in the wooded areas of the Espai Natural de les Obagues del Riu Corb.

The Balneari de Vallfogona began operating in 1901, offering showers, spray treatments and steam baths.

To the overarching travel overview: Tarragona.