Bellmunt del Priorat – Mining History and Routes Through Wine Country
Accommodation in Bellmunt del Priorat
Bellmunt del Priorat combines mining history with historic buildings and routes through the wine country of the southern Priorat. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, you can plan your itinerary around a range of themes: a guided underground tour, the history of mining, cycling and walking routes, or local festival traditions. The town’s history is reflected both in its buildings and in traces of mining across the landscape.
Mining History and Mina Eugènia
Bellmunt del Priorat was the center of a significant mining basin that also extended into the neighboring municipalities of Falset and El Molar. Mining left numerous traces, including spoil heaps found across much of the municipality. The landscape and mining history are therefore intertwined, rather than being confined to individual buildings or exhibition spaces.
A guided tour of Mina Eugènia takes visitors 35 meters underground through galleries on the first level, dating from the late 19th century. The permanent exhibition at the Museu de les Mines covers lead mining in Bellmunt: from galena and geology to the development of mining, industrial mining, and Mina Eugènia. Advance booking and confirmation are required for visits to the Museu de les Mines and guided tours inside the mine.
The Town’s Development and Historic Buildings
The history of mining is also reflected in the development of the town center. Around 1920, Minas del Priorato, SA, built the first miners’ colonies in Bellmunt del Priorat. They were intended for workers and their families who had moved from other mining regions of Spain, particularly Andalusia. As mining continued to grow, more colonies were added, expanding the town center.
Among the town’s varied historic and architectural landmarks is the 18th-century neoclassical parish church of Santa Llúcia, dedicated to the town’s patron saint. Casa Gran was once a residence of the Carthusian monks and may date from the 18th century. Casal, meanwhile, is a Modernist building and one of the sights of Bellmunt del Priorat. Together, these three buildings offer insight into different aspects of the townscape, while their functions and dates of origin remain distinct.
Routes Through Vineyards and Olive Groves
Itinerari 2 runs between Falset, Bellmunt del Priorat, and Marçà through the wine-growing landscape of the southern Priorat. It reaches Bellmunt via a paved road; the route to Bellmunt is signposted from the GR-174. Itinerari 5 goes from Falset through Bellmunt, El Masroig, and Marçà before returning to Falset, running mostly between vineyards and olive groves. This cycling route is 29 kilometers long, includes 613 meters of elevation gain, and is 99 percent rideable.
At kilometer 7.29, Itinerari 5 reaches the Minas de Bellmunt. From there, the route first joins the connecting road, then follows the GR to the right and descends toward the Siurana River. Check the route conditions and trail markings before setting out.
The Caminos de mineros y agricultores trail offers another way to explore the area around the Museu de les Mines. The section from Bellmunt to El Molar is less than eight kilometers long, has 170 meters of elevation gain, and takes less than three hours. The trail climbs close to the summit of SarraĂ, then reaches a track and turns right at a junction toward the Museu de les Mines de Bellmunt. Here, too, it is advisable to check trail conditions before setting out.
Festival Meal and Wine Event
On December 30, the last day of the Festes Majors dels Sants Innocents, Bellmunt del Priorat holds a communal meal featuring the traditional menu of fesols a la cassola and bacallĂ fregit. The festival is also known as badejada or festa del bacallĂ . If you plan your trip around this date, confirm the date and menu in advance.
The TAST DE LES MINES is also held annually at the Museu de les Mines de Bellmunt del Priorat. Wineries belonging to the Associació de Cellers de la Conca del Siurana come together for the event, including those from the southernmost part of the Denominació d’Origen Qualificada Priorat in Bellmunt del Priorat, El Molar, and El Lloar. The program includes music and gastronomic “del terreno” tapas; special wines, including older vintages and specialty wines, are sometimes offered. Dates and participating wineries may vary from one edition to the next. If you plan your trip around the event, check the details for that particular edition.
Getting There from Reus or MĂłra la Nova
To get there from Reus or MĂłra la Nova, take the N-420 to the Falset oest - Bellmunt del Priorat exit. From there, head toward Falset until the junction with the TP-7101, then continue on the TP-7101 to Bellmunt del Priorat.
Discover more destinations: Masboquera, BrĂ fim, La Riera de GaiĂ , Alfara De Carles, Conesa, Castellvell Del Camp, Bellavista, Les Borges Del Camp
For the full travel overview: Tarragona.
