Terres de lEbre

A proposal brought to you in collaboration with Descobrir magazine.

We can explore the traces of this history by visiting castles, sanctuaries, churches or settlements that are still preserved in the towns of Flix, Ascó and Vinebre.

The Ribera d’Ebre is a region with a vast cultural and historical heritage. Over the centuries, the Ebre has become a link between the inland and the Mediterranean, a meeting point for people and cultures. The geostrategic importance of the river in the past as a trade and communication route meant that, since ancient times, Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans —among others— have established themselves along the waters of the Ebre. We can still find traces of this history in the form of castles, palaces, archaeological sites...

We begin our getaway in the town of Flix, where we can visit the castle, an old Carlist fortress surrounded by the Ebre. In this same town there is also an air raid shelter that was built during the Spanish Civil War. The 17th-century Church of Santa María and the Remei Hermitage are also well worth a visit. On the river surrounding Flix we will also find one of the last remaining boat crossings along the entire Ebre. Take advantage of your visit and cross the river using this traditional system.

As well as all of its artistic heritage, Flix is also home to the Sebes Natural Reserve, one of the most important natural areas in the Terres de l'Ebre. Together with the Flix meander, it covers a space of over 250 hectares of areas of open water, wetlands, riverbank forests, river islands and galachos (dry river meanders).

We continue our route towards Ascó, where we will follow an itinerary that takes us through the different spaces of the Battle of the Ebre that took place in 1938. On this tour, we will visit the Calvario trenches, the Reguers bunker, the XV Army Corps camp —a large republican camp where around 5,000 soldiers lived during the 115 days of combat—, and the Ascó boat crossing, among others. Without leaving the town, we will visit the castle, located at the highest point of Ascó, the tower of which offers a spectacular view of the river and the whole municipality.

We will round off our trip in Vinebre, where we will visit Can Don Juan, a 16th-century Renaissance palace with a baroque façade and an interior patio porch, and the Church of San Juan Bautista. In Vinebre, we can also visit the Iberian village of San Miquel, located on a hill around 100 metres high. The Hermitage of San Miquel is nearby, a small 12th-century chapel that is also worth a visit.


In collaboration with Descobrir magazine.

The battle of the Ebro was the longest and bloodiest of the Spanish Civil War. The two sides between them suffered 120,000 casualties: 30,000 deaths, 75,000 injured and 15,000 prisoners. The devastation caused can best be seen at the old town of Corbera d’Ebre, which was left in ruins after heavy bombardment by Franco's army.

The old town of Corbera d’Ebre, chosen as best 'monument' by the viewers of TV3's television programme 'Batalla Monumental' (battle of the 'monuments'), is one of the 19 historic locations that have been turned into museums and which can be visited as part of the 'Espais de la Batalla de l’Ebre' routes. There are also the 700 metres of trenches in the ravines of Vilalba dels Arcs that formed part of the Republican defences; the Fatarella military refuge; and the 15th Army Corps military camp in Ascó, from where coronel Manuel Tagüeña organised the retreat of the Republican troops at the end of the battle, something that saved thousands of lives. There is also Coll del Moro, to the west of Gandesa, at an altitude of 483 metres where the commanders of Franco's army, and Franco himself, established their command post since it afforded a panoramic view of the entire front.

The 'Espais de la Batalla de l’Ebre' tours also include five interpretation centres, each devoted to a particular topic: '115 Days', in Corbera d’Ebre, provides a complete view of the military and political conflict; 'Soldiers in the trenches', in Vilalba dels Arcs, explains the various experiences and emotions the soldiers went through on the battlefield every day from a military and personal point of view; the 'Hospitals de Sang' interpretation centre in Batea explains how medical attention for the injured was organised and how a medical network was created; 'Voices from the Front', in Pinell de Brai, explains the messages and slogans used by both sides, and 'Internationals a l’Ebre', in Fatarella, explains how the participation of other countries influenced both the opposing sides.

As well as delving into an event of supreme importance that took place between 25 July and 16 November 1938, one that radically altered the history of the country, the 'Espais de la Batalla de l'Ebre' tours also introduce you to the districts of Terra Alta and Ribera d’Ebre where the great river defines the route and moulds the landscape with its riparian forests and woodlands, large areas of farmlands, not all of them irrigated, and extensive vineyards.

The river Ebre has always been, and continues to be, the source of life in the Terres de l'Ebre. Explore it from another perspective by visiting Gandesa, Tivissa and Vinebre with their beautiful Iberian settlements and outstanding views over the river.
 
CASTELLET DE BANYOLES

Start the Iberian settlement route in Castellet de Banyoles, in Tivissa. It will surprise you with its grandeur. It covers four hectares of flat land and overlooks the river. It used to control all the trade along the river between the coast and inland areas.
 
TIVISSA

After visiting the Iberian settlement you could visit the village of Tivissa, with its interesting old quarter. You can amble through its quaint streets until you come to a most curious church, which has one church inside another. And after lunch, you could find out more about wine and olive oil production at the Celler Aibar, DO Montsant, on the way to Vinebre, just 20 minutes away from Tivissa by car, to spend the night.
 
RIVER BOAT TRIP ON A LLAGUT, A KIND OF SKIFF

You could spend the next day in a most enjoyable way by taking a boat trip along the river in a llagut. The trip starts in Ascó, five minutes from Vinebre, and ends in Miravet.
 
VINEBRE IBERIAN SETTLEMENT 

After lunch you could visit the Iberian settlement in Vinebre, Sant Miquel, which commands magnificent views over the river and will impress you with its strategic location. After your visit head towards Gandesa to spend the night.
 
GANDESA AND COLL EL MORO

On the third day, after you have had breakfast, you have the opportunity to explore Gandesa with its church of Assumpció, the Town Hall, and the old prison, all declared to be a Sites of National Interest. You shouldn't leave without visiting the Centre d’Estudis Batalla de l’Ebre (Centre for the Study of the Battle of the Ebre), essential in order to better understand the impact that this tragic episode had on these lands. The staff will give you directions to the settlement at Coll de Moro and indicate how it can be visited. You will find a very well preserved necropolis there.

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A weekend away to discover the Natural Park of the Delta de l'Ebre, its coastline and its Iberian past: a route that includes a boat trip in a gondola to visit the mussel farm in the Bay of Alfacs, and visits to Amposta and the incredible sights at the Iberian settlement of Moleta del Remei.

BAY OF ALFACS

You could start your day at Sant Carles de la Ràpita where, from 12 noon until 2 p.m., you can take a trip in the Bay of Alfacs in a gondola. This is one of the most important natural areas in Europe and it is located within the Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park, a Biosphere Reserve. The trip includes stopping at a mussel farm where you can learn everything you need to know about mussels and oysters and afterwards you can enjoy a tasting of them accompanied by a glass of cava.
 
AMPOSTA

After lunch you could head for Amposta, where you can explore the town, its history and its surroundings. Visit the museum of the Terres de l’Ebre and stroll through the town's charming streets. You could spend the night in Alcanar, just 20 minutes by car from Amposta.
 
MOLETA DEL REMEI IBERIAN SETTLEMENT

After breakfast on Sunday morning you could visit the Moleta del Remei Iberian settlement, where you can stroll amongst thousand year-old olive trees and climb the little hill which affords magnificent views of the surroundings. Be sure not to miss the reconstruction of an Iberian house and the ovens at the entrance to the settlement. The house has been faithfully and accurately rebuilt and provides a marvellous opportunity to see what it was like to live in an Iberian home just as it was in former times. Afterwards, you can enjoy a good lunch from amongst the typical dishes of the region in Les Cases d’Alcanar.

PUNTA DE LA BANYA

You could spend the afternoon taking a stroll along the coastline facing Punta de la Banya, between Les Cases d’Alcanar and Montsià Mar.

The order of visits on Sundays changes from July to September: the first visit is to Punta de la Banya and in the afternoon the second visit is to the Moleta del Remei Iberian settlement.


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