Cities, Towns and Villages in Catalonia

© Ramon Vinyas

© Nano Cañas

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© Joan Castro. GZ

© lluís carro

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Journey back to the beginning Roman Tarragona was at its imperial height two thousand years ago and left some marvellous remains in the city, such as the amphitheatre, the Palace of Augustus and the ‘circus’ (chariot racing track), which are now considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage site. From Tarragona, visit the town of Siurana , in the Priorat district. This huddle of houses on top of a rocky crag, the ruins of the Arabic castle and the pretty Romanesque church of Santa Maria will transport you back a thousand years. Did you know that in the Prades Mountains there is fine collection of cave paintings that have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status? To take a look at them, just go to the town of Prades and from there visit the various rock shelters which house these prehistoric treasures which are in the form of humans, animals and signs. In Montblanc you can also visit the Cave Paintings in the Prades Mountains Interpretation Centre. Amongst vineyards and volcanoes You also need to travel back in time, specifically to the age of the Romans, to find the moment in which wine started to be made in Catalonia. In Vilafranca del Penedès you can visit the VINSEUM (Catalan Museum of Wine Culture) or have a wine tourism (enotourism) experience in one of the wine or cava wineries in the DO Penedès area. To finish off the trip, be sure to visit the picturesque town of Santa Pau , right in the heart of La Garrotxa volcanic zone - the cherry on the top of this tour. Don’t miss the Plaça Major (main square) or Firal dels Bous (old cattle market), the church of Santa Maria and the many narrow cobbled streets which lead to the Portal del Mar gate.

From TarragonA to Montblanc 34 km From Montblanc to Prades 33 km From PRADES to Siurana 21 km From Siurana to Vilafranca del Penedès 102 km From Vilafranca del Penedès to Santa Pau 147 km

Art is everywhere. It is on the walls of prehistoric caves, in the traces of the Roman empire, at the top of a Romanesque church bell tower and in the bubbles rising in a glass of cava. This route will take you to discover some of the best-kept secrets of Catalan culture. With these suggestions, you can create infinite combinations for a perfect getaway. retrace the footsteps of creativity

for further information on: Tarragona page 58 Montblanc page 46 Prades page 116 Santa Pau page 88 Siurana page 120 Vilafranca del Penedès page 40

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Santa Pau

Vilafranca del Penedès

1. Roman amphitheatre in Tarragona. 2. Mas D’en Ramon Bessó rock shelter in Prades. 3. A CORNER OF SANT PAU. 4. SANTA MARIA CHURCH IN SIURANA. 5. VINSEUM WINE MUSEUM IN VILAFRANCA.

Montblanc

Siurana Prades

© VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDÈS. CARLES FORTUNY © Tina Bagué

Tarragona

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