Do you know his story?
Vestiges of archaeological remains from the Bronze, Iberian and Roman Ages have been found. During the Middle Ages it enjoyed a moment of maximum splendor, as evidenced by the presence of numerous castles and fortifications such as Albi or Arbeca. After the Reconquest there was a period of wars and plagues that affected the economic development of the region. From the 20th century, the construction of a network of roads has allowed the commercialization on a global scale of one of the best-known products of this land: olive oil.
What can you do in Les Garrigues and its Holiday cottages?
Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in the Garrigues. Its virgin olive oil stands out, considered one of the best in the world. In many of the municipalities of this region you will find cooperatives that make routes through the olive groves and that show what the whole process of producing this product is like. Also if you go around the historic center of the different towns you will be able to see medieval buildings of great interest. For nature lovers, the rural landscape of Les Garrigues invites you to go on excursions and discover natural corners of great interest.
10 ideas to enjoy les Garrigues
- Les Borges Blanques, a charming town.
- The Rock of the Moors, a World Heritage Site.
- A walk through the Middle Ages.
- Discover the castle of Arbeca.
- Take a themed route.
- Oil Theme Park.
- Visit its museums.
- Iberian village of Vilars.
- Enjoy nature.
- Taste its gastronomy.
Les Borges Blanques, a charming town
Les Borges Blanques is the capital of Les Garrigues. The cultivation of vines, almond trees and olive trees are its main economic impetus. Walking around its streets you can see buildings of great interest such as the parish church of Santa Maria or the chapel of the Virgin of Sorrows. In Plaça de la Constitucion there is a group of houses with Renaissance elements from the 17th and 18th centuries. Traditions are also deeply rooted in this municipality. We recommend that you visit the Garrigues Fair and the Extra Virgin Quality Oil Fair, two events that aim to promote the consumption and culture of oil.
The Rock of the Moors, a World Heritage Site
In the village of Cogul there is a set of rock paintings that has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the cave of the Moors there are 45 painted figures representing special scenes. Within this representation you can see from bulls, goats or deer to hunters among others. For centuries this place was a place of worship, which explains why there are repainted figures. On the other hand, Iberian and Roman inscriptions have been found.
A walk through the Middle Ages
Do you want to take a trip to the Middle Ages? Going around the different towns of Les Garrigues you will find many medieval elements and buildings. In Espluga Calva is the Pedra Castle, an 11th century building that has an important armory. In La Floresta there is a 13th century castle that combines different architectural styles. Its windows or the square tower are worth seeing. The religious heritage of the region is very interesting. Be sure to visit the church of Santa Maria de Gràcia in Granadella, a large baroque building also known as the Garrigues Cathedral.
Discover the castle of Arbeca
One of the most important constructions of les Garrigues during the Middle Ages was the Arbeca castle. The first written documents that mention the castle date from 1225. For many years it was the residence of the Dukes of Cardona and their successors, the Dukes of Medinacelli. It is declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. Currently, part of the wall and a square tower are preserved.
Take a themed route
Les Garrigues offers you the possibility of taking themed routes through its towns that will allow you to discover much of its natural and cultural heritage. If you want to discover the wine tradition you can do the wine route. During the tour you will see different wineries that explain the whole process of wine making. In addition, at the end of the visit you will be able to taste many of the local wines. Another very interesting itinerary is the oil route. It passes through towns such as Arbeca, Castelldans or the Borges Blanques. During the route you will enjoy a rural environment of great beauty and you can visit the mills, cooperatives or museums in the area.
Oil Theme Park
The oil culture is deeply rooted in les Garrigues. If you want to know the history of this product, you can visit the Oil Theme Park. It was inaugurated in 1998 and houses a series of elements related to the exploitation of oil. Its press stands out as one of the largest in the world. Also of great interest is the collection of woodpeckers that come from 45 countries. During the visit you will see how the entire olive harvesting process is and the type of utensils used. In addition, you will discover the different varieties of olives.
Visit its museums
There are several museums in the region where you will find very interesting exhibitions. In Castelldans is the Oil Museum. It is located in an old oil mill and has different tools and utensils used for olive cultivation. In La Floresta is the Pedra museum, a space that houses the sculptural work of the master stonemason Felip Martí. If you want to see materials from different historical periods such as the Neolithic or the Roman period, visit the Borges Blanques Archeology museum.
Iberian village of Vilars
The historical past is very visible in les Garrigues. In the Iberian village of Vilars you will be able to see population centers that were built around 750 BC and were abandoned in 325 BC. Today, the remains of the wall remain, a barrier of stones and a moat thirteen meters wide. During the visit you will also be able to see how the Iberians distributed the land to take advantage of the land as cultivation fields.
Enjoy nature
The natural surroundings of Les Garrigues invite you to do outdoor activities. On the one hand, you have many hiking routes available that you can do with the family. On the other hand, there are many routes that can be done by mountain bike that pass through unique natural places. From La Pobla de Cérvoles there is a route that follows the Llena mountain range and allows you to enjoy magnificent views of the lands of Lleida and Tarragona. In La Granadella there is a cycling route that passes through forest tracks and crosses fields of almond and olive trees.
Taste its gastronomy
The Gastronomy of les Garrigues is based on local dishes prepared with fresh and local ingredients. Their dishes are cooked with olive oil that comes from cooperatives in the region, which gives them an exceptional flavor. We recommend that you try the snail stews, the samfaina omelet or the cod cutlet. If you like sweets, you must try desserts such as orelletes or almonds as well as the poor man's drink, a drink made from oranges, anise and sugar. On the other hand, do not forget to accompany the dishes with DO Costers del Segre wine.
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