Vallfogona de Riucorb

It is located on the border with La Segarra, a region to which it had previously belonged, and Urgell. As a border term, the administrative divisions have affected it variably since it belongs to the province of Tarragona, to the judicial district of Valls, but had been to Cervera and Montblanc; until 1957 it was of the bishopric of Vic and later it passed to the archdiocese of Tarragona. To the south towards Conesa and Rocafort de Queralt, where it also joins the C-241.

Vallfogona was repopulated before 1038 as a result of the restoration carried out in these places by the Queralt and Cervelló families. In those early times and until well into the 12th century, the Vallfogona valley was called Vallis Alfedi or Alfeu valley, a name that also appears in the first documents as Alfez or Alfoz and which seems to correspond to a anthroponym of a Moor or Christian called Alfeo.

At the end of the 12th century, the place was ruled by Gombau de Oluja, a descendant of the Queralt-Timor family, who in 1190, together with his wife, gave the castle of Vallfogona to the order of the Temple; in 1197 he repeated and expanded this donation on the occasion of the entry of the marriage in the order of the Temple. In 1193 the Templars already had a preceptory installed, which at the beginning of the following century became a request from Vallfogona. Albio and the Carbonells tower and stable depended on it. Vallfogona's order continued within the Templar order, often with a common commander with Barberà, until the dissolution of the order in 1312; later it passed to the hospitaleros. In 1416 the Hospitallers had the castle restored, which continued as head of order until 1811, said order from Vallfogona de Comalats. The commanders had all the domain and jurisdiction by purchase made from King Pedro III in 1312. When the commander did not reside in the place, he had a knight of the order and a mayor who represented him.

The town, which was fortified and enclosed with walls and towers —the Planell tower, near the rectory, was demolished in the 18th century— was governed by a council that administered daily life and communal property. There was also a hospital, which continued its work of assisting pilgrims and the sick until the 19th century.

An indication of the past splendor of Vallfogona and its cult is the fact that, in addition to its parish priest, from the 15th to the 17th centuries there were four other beneficiary priests in the church.

Routes

• Return to Vallfogona de Riucorb, tribute to Johan Cruyff
• Path of the Hanged
• Ballart Fountain and Sant Pere dels Bigats
• El Solà del Seniol and the Ballart fountain
• Walkway in Vallfogona de Riucorb Spa
• Upper Corb Valley

Rural environment space: Peasant tools and miniatures

Also noteworthy in Vallfogona de Riucorb is the Rural Environment Space: Peasant tools and miniatures. In 2008, the Solé family of Vallfogona, in a totally selfless manner, gave the City Council part of the collection of miniatures built by Llorenç Solé and the collection of farm tools that, with the collaboration of various families in the municipality, was compiled. With this exhibition, Llorenç Solé wanted to pay homage to all the people from Vallfogon who work the lands of the Corb Valley. Apart from the exhibition, there are several information panels that explain the work processes of the land.

Interpretation space of the Rector of Vallfogona

This space is located inside the parish church, and is dedicated to the Rector of Vallfogona. Various aspects of life and around the Rector are reviewed: the biographical and patrimonial context, the historical synthesis of the origins of the parish, the poetic work, its bibliography...

Johan Cruyff Street

After the death of Johan Cruyff, on March 24, 2016, Vallfogona de Riucorb raised the idea of dedicating a street to one of the best footballers in history. After consulting with the Dutchman's family, what was first a simple illusion, became a motion that was approved in the plenary session of the City Council on May 31, 2016.

The inauguration ceremony for the tribute plaque held on September 9 of the same year –remembering the number that Cruyff wore on the pitch- was attended by his daughter Susila Cruyff, his grandson Jesua Angoy Cruyff, and his son-in-law Jesus Mariano Angoy. Also present was the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, as well as the directors Macià, Cubells, and Camps, the former president of the Catalan Football Federation, Jordi Casals, the former head of the club's material, Txema Corbella, and Josep María Minguella himself.. The act also included a representation of the supporters' clubs from Tàrrega, Nalec and Johan Cruyff from Santa Coloma de Gramenet.

The street that bears the name of the legendary football wise man is the one that leads to the sports area, where the swimming pools and the town's children's play area are located. Vallfogona is the first town in the world to have dedicated a street to a footballer who has created a school for his sporting but also personal spirit.

Vallfogona de Riucorb pump track

Vallfogona de Riucorb has one of the largest paved pump tracks in Catalonia. These facilities complement the cycling activity in the Corb Valley, an area highly valued by lovers of mountain biking and cycling in general.

The Pump track is located on the old Vallfogona football field next to the sports area on Calle Johan Cruyff. The installation is financed by Electrotarrr sccl, a company closely linked to the municipality. It also has the collaboration of the Vallfogona de Riucorb City Council and the construction has been carried out by the company Pumptrack park SL, a specialist in this type of installation.