Rocallaura lies on a hill at the upper end of the Maldanell Valley. Its narrow, winding lanes cluster around the parish church; from the hill, views stretch across parts of the Serra del Tallat, ravines and the valley. The village layout and the landscape together shape the place. For planning a trip, this offers two different perspectives: the history and religious tradition of the village, and the trails and destinations in the surrounding landscape.
The Tallat Pilgrimage and the History of the Village
The Tallat is first mentioned in written records in 1058. The church of the Santuari del Tallat was built in 1354 by the people of Rocallaura in honour of the Virgin. The two dates mark different historical points of reference: the Tallat’s earliest written mention and the construction of the church.
Devotion to the Virgin also shapes the annual calendar. A 14th-century polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin of the Tallat is kept in Rocallaura today and carried in procession to the Santuari del Tallat each year. From the period after Easter until mid-June, people from the surrounding villages gather in Rocallaura on successive weekends for processions, celebrating the pilgrimage to the Tallat and venerating the Virgin. If you would like to take this tradition into account when planning your trip, you can consider this seasonal period.
Further traces of the village’s history can be found in sections of the castle wall that now form the foundations of some houses. The Refugi Antiaeri is an air-raid shelter and machine-gun post from the Spanish Civil War. Together with the history of the Santuari, these sites reveal different historical layers of Rocallaura: religious tradition, structural remains and a testament to the Civil War.
Walking Trails and Destinations in the Landscape
The PR-C58 Serra del Tallat circular walking trail leads to Tossal Gros. At 804 metres, it is the highest peak in the comarca. Another walking route is the long-distance GR 175 La Ruta del Cister, which passes very close to Rocallaura. On the PR-C58, the route to the Observatori d’Artilleria de la L2 is signposted.
The Font Vella is also a clearly defined destination for a short walk: from Rocallaura, it can be reached on foot in less than half a kilometre along the path towards the neighbouring village of Belltall. This brings together several different walking options: the summit of Tossal Gros, the long-distance trail that passes close to Rocallaura, the signposted route to the Observatori and the short walk to the Font Vella. You can choose among these destinations based on what you would most like to focus on, without combining them into a single route.
Spa Tradition and Thermal Facilities
Rocallaura’s spa tradition began in 1909, when Aigua de Rocallaura was recognised as being of public benefit. The Balneari de Rocallaura offers massages and thermal treatments, as well as a thermal circuit with an activity pool, sauna, whirlpool and contrast showers. This spa focus offers a different emphasis from the pilgrimage and walking destinations. When choosing where to stay, you can therefore consider whether village history, outdoor activity in the landscape or thermal facilities is your priority.
For the broader travel overview: Vallbona De Les Monges.
