Love, burlesque and satire give the Passeig poètic in Vallfogona de Riucorb a literary touch: the route passes through streets and squares and includes ceramic murals featuring passages from the poetry of the Rector de Vallfogona. The town’s character is also shaped by its medieval old town, parish church and traces of rural life.
Poetry, Squares and the Parish Church
The old town has a medieval character. It includes Plaça Major, other small squares and atmospheric corners. The Espai d’interpretació del Rector de Vallfogona is housed in two side chapels of the church of Santa Maria de Vallfogona. It presents the poet’s life, work, poetry and legends.
Advance reservations are required to visit the Espai d’interpretació, by calling 977 88 00 75 or 977 88 05 90; reservations are accepted Monday to Friday. A visit to the Espai d'entorn rural also requires an appointment by phone at the same numbers. Check the details for both visits before your trip.
Santa Maria has a slightly pointed Romanesque vault; the church features mainly Gothic elements as well as later repairs. According to tradition, its main portal incorporates building elements from the former chapel of Sant Pere dels Bigats. The parish is first documented in parish lists of the Diocese of Vic from the late 11th and early 12th centuries. The clock in the tower dates from the 16th century and is considered one of the oldest in Spain.
Historical and Religious Traces
The Creu dels Penjats is a Gothic stone wayside cross dating from the 14th to 15th centuries, from the time of the Hospitallers. Fragments of the cross lie near its original location by two holm oaks, at the end of the road from the town to the Era del Ferrer. Sant Pere dels Bigats is documented in 945 as an old Benedictine priory of the monastery of Santa CecĂlia de Montserrat. A reconstructed figure of Sant Pere has stood on an altar on the roof of the parish church since 2010.
According to tradition, the inhabitants vowed to hold an annual procession of thanks to the chapel of Sant Pere dels Bigats, and the procession was subsequently held. The feast of Sant Cristòfol in Vallfogona de Riucorb takes place on 10 July. A few old windows and the boundary walls of the former castle precinct are still visible on the outside of the castle. The castle is privately owned.
Rural Collection and Mills
The Espai d'entorn rural displays miniatures by Llorenç Solé and a collection of agricultural tools assembled with the support of several local families. Information panels explain agricultural work processes. The exhibition connects objects with the tasks for which they were used.
MolĂ de la Cadena consists of two grain mills: MolĂ de Dalt, the upper mill, and MolĂ de Baix, the lower mill. The lower mill retains its old interior structure, with a pointed roof and diaphragm arches. The upper mill has the appearance of a medieval tower, with a round-arched portal made of voussoirs and a machicolation. A brick chimney from the steam engine also remains in the nearby fields.
This is distinct from the former mill, MolĂ del PerellĂł: it dates from the 12th century and was later converted into a house. The circular Volta a Vallfogona de Riucorb route starts beside it. Carrer Johan Cruyff is the starting and finishing point for the signposted routes; the mill is a separate landmark on the Volta.
Routes and Surroundings
A 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. As trail conditions can change, check the route before setting out. The landscapes and destinations described offer a different focus from the town’s history and mills.
Nearby, around 1.5 kilometres from the town, the Balneari de Vallfogona is located in wooded areas of the Espai Natural de les Obagues del Riu Corb. The Balneari began operating in 1901, offering showers, spray treatments and steam baths at the time. If you plan to visit, check access and available facilities separately.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Mas de Barberans, Marçà , El Rourell, Prades, Gandesa, Bellvei, Maspujols, Siurana.
For the main travel overview: Tarragona.
