Vimbodí: Glassmaking History, Festivals and Nature Trails

Glassmaking in Vimbodí originated in the Middle Ages, more precisely in the 12th century. The first documented glass furnace in the municipality of Vimbodí i Poblet, dated 1188, belonged to the glassmaker Guillem. At the beginning of the 20th century, glass production became Vimbodí’s most important industry; several glass furnaces were established in the town.

Other places on this level: Arbolí, Calafell, Bràfim, Valls, Capçanes, Poble Nou, Albarca, Tortosa

Culture

The Museu del Vidre offers family visits and workshops where you can learn about the craft of glassblowing and experience it in practice. The Sarga workshops include materials and guidance from a craftswoman. The offer includes admission to the museum with a glassblowing demonstration and access to the collection. Afterwards, participants take home the piece they made themselves.

The façade of the Sant Salvador church features a vertically declining sundial bearing the year 1591. The altar of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat in the Església de la Transfiguració del Senyor was designed by the modernist architect Josep M. Jujol. Carrer de les Abraçades is 94 centimetres wide and is considered one of the narrowest streets in Catalonia.

Festivals and local offerings

VITRUM has taken place every year since 2014 over a weekend in October in Vimbodí i Poblet. The Festes Quinquennals de la Mare de Déu dels Torrents have been celebrated every five years without interruption since 1944. During their welcoming procession, the image of the Mare de Déu dels Torrents is carried from the hermitage to the parish church in the town; the route on foot is two kilometres long.

The local company Tòfona de la Conca offers truffle hunting with dogs, truffle pairings with other foods and further family-friendly activities. The Fonts del Gorg area serves as a setting for folk dances during the patron saint’s festival, convivial evenings outdoors, family activities and other celebrations organised in the municipality.

Nature

A natural watercourse feeds the springs of the Fonts del Gorg in Vimbodí, which gush from several limestone caves. The Fonts del Gorg preserve washhouses built into the rock, where the village women once washed laundry. The therapeutic forest trail starts and ends at the Casa Forestal de Castellfollit in Vimbodí i Poblet.

Trails

The third hiking trail reaches Tossal de la Baltasana, which at 1,201 metres is the highest point of the Prades Mountains. This hiking trail passes through a sessile oak forest considered unique in Catalonia. The La Pena hiking trail reaches a viewpoint above the La Pena gorge, with a panorama over slopes characterised by holm oak forests. Historical remnants along this trail include, among other things, an ice house.

The Camí de Sant Jaume from Tarragona to Lleida passes through the towns of the Conca de Barberà, including Vimbodí i Poblet, and is 35 kilometres long in total along this section.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tarragona.