DELVE INTO THE MEDIEVAL ESSENCE
We invite you to take a trip through history to discover Mont-roig del Camp’s medieval roots
The municipality of Mont-roig del Camp stretches between the sea and the mountains, on an extensive alluvial plain: in the past, it was populated at various points. The town of Mont-roig can be imagined as walled and presided over by a castle. It was accompanied by the uninhabited village of Pobla d’en Taudell and the coast was protected by Miramar or Guardamar where there was a watchtower. We suggest you soak up the medieval essence of Mont-roig through a walk or a visit to the old quarter, in which the Església Vella and Església Nova, the portals, the old wall, the prison and the washhouses stand out.
SANT MIQUEL CHURCH
Where the medieval castle of Mont-roig del Camp used to be, now we can find the church of Sant Miquel. The church was conceived with the aim of replacing the old church and it was a nearly endless construction. Planning began in 1780, works were halted in 1835 and the first mass was held in 1946. Such a long wait was not in vain. Today, due to its size, it is popularly known as the cathedral of Baix Camp. Despite this, it is still unfinished and it is the nearby Old Church that tells us the time thanks to its historic bell tower.
OLD CHURCH
The history of the Old Church has not been easy, throughout the time it has been subject to several modifications, lootings and the evils of war, a fact that forced the construction of the New Church or Sant Miquel Church. Today we can appreciate a beautiful Renaissance building that built its bell tower on the site of the old defence tower that guarded the “Portal d’Avall”. We would like to emphasise its double doorway in the purest classical style. Although there are no religious services, the bell tower has never stopped ringing to tell the time, because the New Church’s bell tower is still unfinished.
GATEWAYS AND THE WALLS
We can imagine medieval Mont-roig and its enclosed village through the remains of the wall and the two gates, that of Avall and that of La Canal. The first one, located in Plaça Joan Miró, was the main entrance to the town and was accompanied by a defence tower, transformed nowadays into the Old Church’s bell tower. If you walk to Les Hortes, behind the church, you can see more remains of the wall in La Murada Street. You will arrive to the La Canal gate; this is a double gateway accompanied by a tower. Finally, if you visit La Mare de Déu de la Roca Street, to the north, you can see the tower of the Torrells house, also known as the Moors’ tower.
THE PRISON
Just behind the New Church (Sant Miquel) and near Mont-roig del Camp’s old castle, you will find the remains of the old prison. It is integrated in La Pica Street and stands out because of its voussoired door and a barred window.