At the heart of the province of Tarragona, strategically located 730 meters high and surrounded by a beautiful wild landscape of limestone cliffs and green valleys, is the village of Siurana. One of the main attractions of this picturesque town is its Saracen past, the last stronghold of Arab domination in Catalunya.
The last Arab stronghold of Catalonia
Inside the area of Tarragona, in the region of Priorat, is not easy. First you have to travel a winding road surrounded by forests and cliffs to reach a large rock where the village sits. Once at the top, the prize is to see a beautiful medieval village with remains of the Moorish castle built in the 9th century overlooking the town and its group of houses, with the Plaça Vella as a center spot. The kilometer zero of Siurana is reached between silent, winding cobbled streets, small medieval houses, scented geraniums corners and a small arc that connects two mansions on either side of the main street.
© Miquel Colomer Planagumà
Siurana is a place that breathes history from the four shores, witness of sieges, battles and legends; like the legend of the Moorish queen Abd-el-azia, that before surrendering to the Christians, preferred to throw herself on her horse off a cliff. There, even today we can see the mark of the horseshoe on the rock where they fell.
We recommend a tour of the medieval village that will have you traveling back in time, where you can visit the remains of the Moorish castle and the Church of Santa Maria (XII century) of Romanesque style built between the 12th and 13th centuries after the arrival of the troops of the King Ramon Berenguer IV. Not far from there is the monument commemorating the eighth centenary of Reconquista de Siurana.
Amazing from Siurana
From the top, do not miss the beautiful views of the valley of the Siurana river, as well as the Sierra de Montsant, Sierra de la Gritella and Montañas de Prades where there are beautiful marked hiking trails for lovers of nature and active tourism, and Pantano de Siurana, where you can take the tour for canoeing. Definitely a panoramic view that you will remember forever.
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