El Masroig

El Masroig is one of those villages in the Priorat region that invites you to discover the area at a leisurely pace. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and landscapes shaped over centuries by agriculture, this municipality preserves a valuable historical heritage, deeply rooted traditions, and some exceptional spots from which to contemplate the Siurana River valley and the Montsant mountain range.

Strolling through its streets, visiting the wineries, going to the hermitage of Les Pinyeres or following old paths of farmers and miners is a magnificent way to get to know the essence of Priorat.

History and traditions of El Masroig

The history of El Masroig dates back many centuries. Although the population is probably of Islamic origin, its territory had already been inhabited long before.

Important remains of a protohistoric settlement have been located at Puig Roig del Roget, while the strategic location of Coll de les Pinyeres, a magnificent vantage point overlooking the course of the Siurana River, suggests that there were also Iberian-era fortifications later used by other civilizations.

The current nucleus of El Masroig probably originated from a group of farmhouses. Its toponym has traditionally been linked to the combination of the words mas and roig, although another interpretation connects it to a “red hand”, an element that also appears in the symbolism of the local coat of arms.

After the Christian conquest, the territory passed into the hands of the Castellvell family and, later, the Entença family, linked to the County of Prades. Part of the territory was also associated with the domains of the Charterhouse of Escaladei.

The story of Les Pinyeres

The now-vanished village of Les Pinyeres forms an inseparable part of the history of El Masroig. After the conquest of Siurana, it received a charter of settlement, and a large part of its territory fell under the jurisdiction of Escaladei.

Tradition explains that, in the context of the wars that shook the territory between the 17th and 18th centuries, the village was burned to the ground. A local legend recounts that the inhabitants resisted the abuses of a captain and his soldiers and that, in retaliation, the invaders polluted the water supply and destroyed the houses with fire. Only the small church was spared.

After the destruction, the area of Les Pinyeres ended up being incorporated into El Masroig.

One of the most curious symbols of this union is an old holy water font preserved in the church of El Masroig, decorated with the coats of arms of the two towns and a third emblem that integrates them.

Places of interest

Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu

Dedicated to the town's patron saint, the church of Sant Bartomeu is one of the most prominent buildings in El Masroig.

The current temple was inaugurated in 1883, at a time of population growth that made it necessary to have a church of larger dimensions than the old temple located in the Vila square.

Built in the Neoclassical style with the participation of the townspeople, it is particularly striking for its size. Inside, it also preserves an interesting traditional terracotta tile floor.

The municipal laundries

The old municipal washhouses are a small gem of the popular architecture of El Masroig.

They were built in 1912, coinciding with the arrival of piped water to the town. The area retains two large basins and a stone slab pavement.

Beyond their architectural value, the washhouses allow us to imagine a time when these spaces were also places for meeting and socializing in everyday life.

Hermitage of the Mare de Déu de les Pinyeres

In one of the most privileged places in the area stands the hermitage of Les Pinyeres, situated on a magnificent vantage point above the Siurana River.

From this point , a spectacular panoramic view of the Priorat landscape opens up, with the Montsant mountain range as a great backdrop and views towards several towns in the region.

The chapel corresponds to the former church of the now-vanished village of Les Pinyeres. Some walls and the façade of the original church were preserved, and the building was reconstructed in the 18th century following Neoclassical style principles.

Every spring the place regains all its prominence with the celebration of the Festa de la Mare de Déu de les Pinyeres.

Protohistoric site of Puig Roig del Roget

Puig Roig del Roget is one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Priorat.

Located on a hill on the right bank of the Siurana River, it occupies a strategic position at an old crossroads that connected the interior of Priorat with the banks of the Ebro and the western lands.

The settlement, of about 1,200 m², was occupied between the end of the Bronze Age and the beginning of the Iron Age, approximately between the 9th and 7th centuries BC.

Archaeological excavations that began in 1977 have allowed us to learn about much of its structure and recover numerous objects related to the lives of its inhabitants.

Today it is especially interesting because it allows visitors to see almost the entire layout of the old village. Several interpretive panels help visitors understand what the buildings were like, how its inhabitants lived, and the importance of this settlement.

The very name of Puig Roig is related to the characteristic reddish materials —sandstones and conglomerates— that make up the hill.

Hiking and scenery in El Masroig

One of the best ways to discover the term is to put on your boots and follow the old paths that were used for centuries by farmers, miners and inhabitants of the villages in the area.

The barracks along the royal road from El Masroig to Falset

Dry stone is one of the most characteristic expressions of the agricultural landscape of Priorat.

Barracks, walls and other constructions are part of a heritage patiently created by generations of farmers who transformed hillsides and stony land into spaces suitable for cultivation.

Along the old royal road from El Masroig to Falset, magnificent examples of this type of construction can be seen, among which several traditional huts stand out, perfectly integrated into the landscape.

Walking this path is also a way of understanding the relationship between man, stone and earth in the Priorat.

Festivals and traditions of El Masroig

Local festivals are a great opportunity to discover the liveliest and most traditional side of the municipality.

Festa Major de Sant Sebastià

The Winter Festival, dedicated to Sant Sebastià, is celebrated around January 20th.

The day retains many traditional elements: a large bonfire in the town square, the popular breakfast, the collection of the guilandos, the blessing of the Sant Sebastià cocas and the traditional coca dance.

Among the dances , the jota of Coco Pere, typical of El Masroig, stands out in particular.

Festival of the Mare de Déu de les Pinyeres

On the first Saturday after Easter, residents of El Masroig and visitors gather at the hermitage of Les Pinyeres to celebrate one of the most beloved festivals in the municipality.

The day combines religious celebration, traditional dances, sardanas and a popular pilgrimage atmosphere in a privileged natural environment.

After the festival, the image of the Mare de Déu is carried on foot to the village, where it remains for a few days before returning to the hermitage.

Fira Masroig Vi Solidari

Wine also becomes the protagonist of an initiative with a charitable purpose: the Fira Masroig Vi Solidari.

Usually held during the month of June, it brings together wineries from the municipality in a day of tastings and activities aimed at raising funds for research against childhood cancer.

Saint John and other celebrations

The Sant Joan festival is celebrated with the arrival of the Flame of Canigó, the lighting of the bonfire and the fire shows of the Colla de Diables Coco Pere.

The festive calendar is completed with the Trobada de Puntaires during the summer, the Fiesta Mayor de Sant Bartomeu around August 24, the events of the Onze de Setembre and the Cultural Week in autumn.

El Masroig, a Priorat to discover without rushing

El Masroig combines many of the ingredients that make a getaway to Priorat special: heritage, archaeology, wine, landscape and traditions.

It is an ideal destination to combine a visit to the wineries with a walking route through vineyards, discover dry stone constructions, contemplate the views from Les Pinyeres or go back almost three thousand years at the Puig Roig del Roget site.

A small town with a long history and a territory that invites, above all, walking, observing, tasting and enjoying the Priorat without haste.