La Figuera

Municipality of Priorat, rugged by the western foothills of Montsant, situated to the right of the river of the same name. The village of Figuera, at an altitude of 575 metres, is in an elevated position from where one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama. It is known as the sentinel of Priorat.

Another place of interest within the area is the place known as Colls de Solans, not far from the village, from where you can see a unique view of the entire region. It is known as the "balcony of the Priorat".

The population is agricultural. The main products grown are wine and oil. The Cooperative was founded as an Agricultural Union in 1932.

Due to the climatic conditions, the area is almost entirely planted with Garnacha grapes, which produce exquisite, smooth, and characteristically flavoured wines. The wines are from the Montsant designation of origin.

The oil is of Siurana designation of origin.

Due to its privileged location and climate, La Figuera has become an ideal place for summer vacations and second homes. This means that during the summers and weekends the town regains the movement and vitality it had lost years ago.

Rather than talking about notable buildings, when it comes to Figuera, it is worth highlighting its surroundings, the natural viewpoints that allow you to admire magnificent landscapes and the corners and places that make this small town a place worth visiting.

As Joan Asens says in the Priorat Guide: "If great experts on Catalonia have said that Priorat is one of the most beautiful regions of the Principality, it would not be unreasonable to say that Figuera offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of our land."

History

Legend has it that where the village now stands there was once a huge fig tree, so large that the Romans sheltered their flocks there. Later, a castle was built on the same site, which kept this fig tree in its courtyard. Today, in the street with the wall, you can see the obvious remains of fortified walls. It seems that the village has kept its name from that now-disappeared castle and that huge fig tree.

The first historical information about the Higuera is found in the donation made by Albert de Castellvell to the church of Tortosa. In this donation, it is called the Gibolhoder mountain.

Gibolhoder or la Figuera was not populated until a few years after its integration into the lands of Tortosa. Its population charter dates from 5 December 1182, three years before that of Cabacés. It is, therefore, one of the oldest population charters in New Catalonia.

At that time, it was granted an extensive area bordering the Montsant River with Mas d'en Bas, the old town of Molar, and with Ascó and Cabacés.

Shortly afterwards, Figuera was incorporated into the Barony of Cabacés, as can be seen in the "Book of Ordinances of the Villa della Figuera", a book of customs and habits that regulate the coexistence of the village. Begun in 1310, it was completed in 1734.

The Hermitage of San T PAU

One of the places from which you can best enjoy the immensity of the landscape is the hermitage of Sant Pau, located in the northwest of the town, about two and a half kilometres away. The Virgen de la Mola, a very popular devotion among the neighbouring villages, is venerated in the hermitage.

About 500 metres from the hermitage to the west, towards the top of the mountain, you can visit what was the command post of the Republican army during the Battle of the Ebro. From this privileged location you can see up to 40 kilometres of the Ebro River.

"Balcony of the Priorat"

Other interesting places are the Coll de Solans, called "balcón del Priorat", and the Sierra del Guixar, or Escambellet.

We cannot forget either the Roca Foradada, nor the caves of Vasques, Tres Ajos, and Mas d'en Nenet, natural caves made in the rock, of great size.

The village, with its narrow, steep streets, retains the typical character of the Priorat villages. The parish church is dedicated to Saint Martin.