The magnificent ducal town of Montblanc, founded in 1155, is considered one of the most beautiful medieval complexes in Catalonia. Montblanc has a remarkable number of civil and religious monuments. The old center has been declared a Historical - Artistic Site.
Montblanc is the capital of the comarque of the Conca de Barberà. The city occupies a hill at the foot of the small mountain known as Pla de Santa Barbara, near the confluence of the rivers Francolí and Anguera.
Visit
The entire historic center of Montblanc is surrounded by medieval walls. The walled enclosure has a perimeter of 1,500 meters and has 31 crenellated towers and 5 gates.
On a promontory from which dominates the town stands the church of Santa Maria la Major, known as the Cathedral of the Mountain,
remarkable Gothic building of the 14th century, unfinished. The facade is Baroque with some Renaissance elements. In the spacious interior of the church we found a splendid image of the Virgin carved in polychrome wood.
The Plaça Major (Main Square) shows originally Gothic buildings, like the Casa de la Vila (Town Hall) and the Casa Desclergue. West of the square we find the Palau Reial (Royal Palace), gothic building that housed the royal visits in the 13th and 14th centuries. Also they deserve attention the churches of Sant Miquel and Sant Marçal and manor houses like Palau del Castlà, Casa Josa and Casa Alenyà.
Outside the fortified enclosure are the church of Sant Francesc, the convent and sanctuary of the Serra, of great artistic value, the Hospital de Santa Magdalena (gothic, 14th century) and the Pont Vell, ua Romanesque bridge built over the waters of the river Francolí.
Population: 6,300
Elevation: 352 m
Municipality: Montblanc
Province: Tarragona
Comarca: Conca de Barberà
Tourist information office
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Tourist information office
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Address: Sant Francesc Church -
Montblanc (Tarragona) 43400
Tel.: +34 977 861 733
Fax: +34 977 861 733
Email:
turisme@montblanc.cat
GPS: 41°22'27.7"N 1°09'46.3"E / 41.374355, 1.162855
Local bakeries offer some typical sweets, such as montblanquins (stuffed almonds) and merlets.
Medieval week of the legend of Sant Jordi - in April.
Festa Major (local festival) - in September
Terrània (International Ceramics Festival) - in October.
By train. RENFE. Middle Distance trains line Barcelona - Lleida.
By bus. Several companies offer intercity services between Montblanc and Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, Valls or other municipalities in the region.
By car. The AP-2 (E-90) highway. Exit 9. N-240 Road (Tarragona - Valls - Lleida).