La Nou De Gaià combines historic buildings with short rural trails. This gives you two distinct focuses for planning your trip: the history of the castle, chapel and church, and trails whose locations and continuations can be compared. The old town and local festivals also offer their own points of interest for visitors.
Castle, Chapel and Church
Castell del Baró de les Quatre Torres dates back to the 12th century; the present-day building dates from the late 18th century. These two dates tell different chapters of its history. In 1982, the castle and its gardens were donated to the municipality by Lluís de Morenés i Carbajal, Marqués de Nules. Three years later, the castle was declared a cultural asset of interest as a historic monument.
Attached to the Castell is the Capella de la Verge de les Neus, dedicated to the patron saint of La Nou de Gaià. Another historic stop is the parish church of Santa Maria Magdalena. It dates from the 18th century and shares the same architectural style as the Castell. Those interested in the town's architectural history can therefore consider the castle and church in terms of their shared stylistic connection and different dates.
A sarcophagus with epigraphic inscriptions is also currently on display in the Castell. The inscriptions contain the names Temístocles and Encolpia. Before visiting, check locally for current exhibition arrangements.
Old Town and Local Festivals
The old town has steep, narrow streets. In the higher part of the town, crowned by the castle and church, there are views across cultivated fields. The old town's streets are also home to a permanent exhibition of historical images. This brings the townscape and local history together in a compact area; check locally for current exhibition arrangements.
La Nou de Gaià's main festival is the Festa Major d'estiu, held in honour of Santa Magdalena. The Festa Votiva a la Mare de Déu de les Neus is also part of the festival tradition: it is celebrated in honour of Our Lady of the Snows and dates back to a village vow made in 1816. Before travelling to a festival, check the latest dates and programme details, as programmes may change.
Another recurring event is the annual Aplec de sardanes, held in the gardens of El Cercat. Groups also gather at El Cercat to prepare paellas, which are mostly cooked over wood fires. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these events, check the latest dates and arrangements in advance.
Rural Trails: East or West?
La Nou de Gaià's short rural trails can be explored by car, bicycle or on foot. Two described routes are in different parts of the town. The Camí de la Sitgeta runs through the east and passes the football ground. From there, it provides access to another stretch of trail that continues to La Pobla de Montornès.
The Camí de les Fontanilles is in the west. This trail can be shortened via the Torrent de les Fontanilles and also provides access to another stretch that continues to Vespella de Gaià. The key points for comparison are therefore the eastern or western location and where each trail continues; the Fontanilles route also offers the option of a shorter route. Check local trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.
Getting There by Bus and Train
The Salomó–Tarragona and Salomó–Torredembarra bus routes pass through La Nou de Gaià. The nearest train station is in Torredembarra. If you plan to travel by bus or train, check the latest timetables and train services before departure.
Discover more destinations: Cabra Del Camp, Vilaplana, Torredembarra, Vila-rodona, Prades, Renau, Perafort, Miami Platja.
For the wider travel overview: Tarragona.
