TOUR: A WINDOW ONTO THE SEA

This itinerary aims to show visitors part of the cultural heritage of the towns of Vinyols i els Arcs, Montbrió del Camp, Mont-roig del Camp and Cambrils, as well as highlighting the contrasts in human and landscape terms of the Baix Camp.

The route leaves Reus by the Camí de Riudoms; at the roundabout on the west bypass takes the T-310 towards Vinyols. After 2.4 km (1.5 miles) turn right into the village of Vinyols on the T-3103.

Vinyols i Els Arcs is a small village in the south-west of the Baix Camp, between the streams of Maspujols and Borges, and is bordered by Riudoms and, near the sea, Cambrils.

Here we can see the parish church of Santa Caterina, built between 1770 and 1778 on the site of the former church. The building is in the baroque style without being too elaborate, on a floor plan in the form of a Greek cross. The decoration inside is restrained. The bell tower is 36 metres (118 feet) high, and can be seen from virtually everywhere in the municipality. Also worthy of note are buildings like Can Nicolau, built in the 18th century, the town hall, built by the Torrell family in the 16th century and purchased by the town council in 1884, and Sant Josep in the south-west of the municipality, belonging to the Salesian order.

Next, take the T-310 once again, towards Montbrió del Camp. After 2km (just over a mile), turn off to the right onto the T-312 to get to the village of Montbrió.

Montbrió del Camp is located right in the middle of the plain around Tarragona, 6km (four miles) from the Mediterranean coast. Fifteen years ago thermal springs were discovered, leading to the building of a luxury hotel complex.

When you get to the village visit the Els Cups (“Cups” in Catalan means vats, not cups!), opened in 1983. Located in the old family home of Can Busquets, it vividly portrays the agricultural and winegrowing past of the village and its area. It has several rooms plus the house’s three original vats, and a tunnel has been dug to connect the different parts. The different rooms retain their own character and features.

You can also visit the 17th-18th century renaissance-style parish church of St. Pere Apòstol, with its 18th-century baroque organ which is listed as a historical-artistic monument.

Montbrió also excels in the quality of its virgin olive oil and muscatel (dessert wine), both protected by specific denominations. After visiting Montbrió, carry on along the T-310 for 5.4 km. (3_ miles) to Mont-roig del Camp. This small village at the foot of the Colldejou mountains is 15 km (nine miles) from Reus, and has two very different centers: the old village and the seaside area.

Cross the village and turn right onto the T-322 to visit a particularly undiscovered spot: the country church of the Mare de Déu de la Roca, which is mentioned in documents going back to the year 1230.
The church and hostelry were rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1811. The buildings perch on a small peak of red sandstone in a highly picturesque spot. From a height of 292 metres (nearly 1,000 feet) the whole of the Baix Camp with its olive groves spreads out at our feet. At the highest point is the chapel of Sant Ramon, built in 1826, which still serves as a landmark for sailors.

The church has a restaurant and some accommodation.

Return to the T-322 and take the T-323 as far as the junction with the N-240 main coast road. Here, turn left towards Cambrils. After 5km (just over 3 miles), turn off to the right towards the housing development of La Llosa to get to the Roman remains near the hotel & catering school. Finds from this Roman site have been dated from the 1st century AD. Some of this Roman settlement’s activities world have been connected with the produce of the sea, fish and salt. Pottery and amphoras from around the Mediterranean have been found here, as well as a major collection of bronzes.

Next, go on into the town itself, to the agricultural museum. The museum, housed in a Modernist (Art Nouveau) wine cellar built by Cesar Martinell, was opened on 10th January 1998 in an effort by the agricultural co-operative to combine culture and economic development. The main body of the building is devoted to the wine and olive oil-making processes. There is also a farm shop selling some of the area’s finest produce.

Complete the tour of Cambrils with a visit to the Molí de les Tres Eres, a former mill which lies on the Roman road known as the Via Augusta and which houses the main premises of the history museum. Here you can see the Roman remains from La Llosa. In the basement you can learn more about the pre-industrial society which depended on flour and water for its subsistence. We recommend that you round off this route with a meal at one of Cambrils prestigious restaurants, which make it the gastronomic capital of the Costa Daurada.

To return to Reus, take the N-240 and after a few minutes turn right into the TV-3141, which leads back to the capital of the Baix Camp, going into the town at the sanctuary church of La Misericòrdia.