In the heart of Baix Camp region, there is a charming Catalan town, surrounded by mountains where you can enjoy the best routes. It is the small municipality of Prades, located at an altitude of 950 metres and with an area of about 32 km², which is located inside the famous Muntanyes de Prades.
If you want to get to know it better, in this post we are going to explain the most beautiful places in the village, so that, if you want to visit it, you can walk through its streets and get to know every corner. Remember that with Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, you can travel to this town from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
A little bit of history
The first signs of population in Prades date back to prehistoric times, especially to Neolithic and Bronze Ages, as several open-air flint workshops and remains of pottery have been found.
In the 13th century, this Catalan municipality was invaded by Muslims, who took over the Roman Hispania. It was not until the 12th century that began the Christian reconquest of Catalonia. In 1159, Prades received its town charter, granted by Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer IV.
Subsequently, in the 20th century, it suffered an economic stagnation, due to the difficulties in accessing the village, because of the complicated roads that connected it with other towns such as Reus and Tarragona. This caused many families to leave Prades to live on the coast. Nowadays, it has only 650 inhabitants.
The centre of the village of Prades
If you visit Prades, you must wander through its streets and squares, whose planning dates to medieval times. Its old quarter is known as Vila Vermella, due to the use of red stone on the façades of most of the buildings in the town centre. One of the most emblematic squares in the town is Plaça Major, presided by the church, characterised by its porticoes, which, since the 13th century, has hosted fairs and markets. In this square, you will also find Font de Prades, in Renaissance style, built in red stone in the 15th and 16th centuries.
If you leave the square along Carrer Sant Antoni, you will come to Plaça dels Infants, a public space where the Town Hall was once located. And, just a few steps away, Plaça de la Pau, also known as Plaça de l’Ou (Egg Square).
Church of Santa Maria la Mayor
In Plaça Major stands one of the best-known buildings in Prades, the church of Santa Maria la Mayor, in Romanesque and Gothic style, whose earliest remains date back to the end of the 12th century. We encourage you to go to the side of the church to see the famous Romanesque-style false door, which was the main entrance at the beginning.
Don’t miss a single corner of Prades. Get around with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable shared transfer services and private transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
The ruins of Prades Castle
Another of the places to see during your stay in Prades are the few remains of the old castle of the town, built in the 12th century, as well as the church of Sant Miquel, of which the apse, a part of the nave and the side chapel have been conserved.
Ancient wall of Prades
Like most medieval towns, they were protected by a walled enclosure to control access to the town centre. In the case of Prades, its wall was built during the Middle Ages, with red stone, like many other buildings of the period in this town. Today, it is still possible to follow the walled outline of the town, thanks to the preservation of the gates and various arches.
On the one hand, Portal de la Plaza or Portal de la Creu, which was the main entrance to the old town. It is located next to the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. Next to this gate, you will also see the Cruz de Término (boundary cross), which indicated the entrance to the town.
Another of the accesses to the town centre is Planet del Pont, which connected Prades with Conca de Barberà region from the north. On this pass is the oldest house in the municipality, built in the 13th century, which can be distinguished from the others by the tools that decorate its walls.
In addition, at Carrer Arc del Pons you will find the Gothic arch of the same name, which was built to provide a new access to the town.
Parc Astronòmic de Prades and other places not to be missed
One of the most interesting places if you are an astronomy lover is Parc Astronòmic de Prades, where you can enjoy activities, shows and courses with experts, sessions in the 360º Planetarium, the San Roque Astronomy Viewpoint and dinners with stars, among other things.
On the other hand, if you like spending time outdoors, you can’t miss the route to Ermita de l’Abellera and the route to Roca Foradada, two essential options if you’re going hiking in Prades area. You can also visit Gorgs de la Febró; Cova de les Gralles, in Capafonts; Cingle de les Purrides; and Tossal de la Baltasana, the highest point of Muntanyes de Prades.
Don’t think twice and come and discover the most beautiful corners of the town of Prades. With Shuttle2Sun‘s shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, you can get to this town from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
