What to see in Siurana (Tarragona), spectacular climbing landscape in Priorat

One of the great attractions and surprises of our recent trip through the Piorat wine region in the province of Tarragona have been seeing the towns dotted between very beautiful landscapes mid-mountain.

The charm of these Priorat towns It is found, more than in its interior corners, in its location on the slopes or at the top of the mountains.

But when it comes to highlighting a town that fully justifies a excursion to Priorat, without a doubt that is siurana.

Located in the southeast of the region, one hour from the city of Tarragona, siurana It is located at the top of a cliff where you must reach via a very winding road.

Curiosities about the history of Siurana in Tarragona

siurana is a nice village, last enclave of the Arab occupation in Catalonia, from whose time the archaeological remains of a fortification of the ninth century.

When you go up to pay a visit to a siurana and see the spectacular panoramic views that can be seen, you will understand why the Arabs built such a fortification in that place.

In fact, during the 11th century the Siurana castle became one of the main places of resistance of the Arabs against the attempts of the counts of Barcelona Ramón Berenguer I and II to move towards Tarragona during the start of the Reconquest.

I tell you that siurana In reality, it is a small village where in the 70s only four people were left residing, and where currently, with a certain tourist boom, about 50 people live.

What to see and do on the Siurana sightseeing visit

El historical and landscape complex of Siurana It sits on a large rocky cliff where you will find several beautiful corners of stone houses.

Santa Maria Church in Siurana

La church of Santa Maria, from the 12th century, is the only monument you will find in siurana.

In this Romanesque style building which was built in 1154 coinciding with the arrival of the troops of the Count Ramón Berenguer IV.

Now you can see a very sober doorway with Romanesque columns and a tympanum that shows a curious relief that emulates the Holy Supper…although with fewer apostles.

You will not be able to enter inside, but you will be able to see it through a glass window from where you will see that it has a unique nave.

Siurana, climbing destination

Another notable corner is the mountain retreat which since 1930 has been located on a rock.

This refuge is an exponent of one of the characteristics of siurana, being a standout climbing destination known throughout the world.

In fact, from autumn to spring thousands of climbers travel to siurana every year to climb one of its more than 1.600 routes already open in the cliffs that surround the town.

As a curiosity, I will tell you that siurana even Japanese fans of escalation in order to go up these routes.

I can also tell you that the owner of the Siurana campsite is a climber who established his residence in this enclave of the region of Priorat, and he himself has opened many of those avenues of escalation.

This is what he told us during our visit, when we met him while he was climbing.

Trona viewpoint in Siurana

Also noteworthy is the La Trona viewpoint, from where great panoramic views of the area open, with the Monsant Mountains as a great protagonist.

Map: how to get to Siurana

siurana It is a small town that you find in the Priorat region, 50 kilometers and an hour's drive inland from the city of Tarragona in Catalonia.

To get to Siurana you must deviate from the C-242 highway in Cornudella de Monsant, to head up the climb to the rocky enclave where it is located.

Photos of Siurana in Tarragona

Here you have more photos of Siurana, In Priorat region in the Tarragona province.