Benissanet: Culture, Trails and History
Accommodation in Benissanet
Benissanet offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your stay: a section of the Camino Natural del Ebro, a cultural route through the streets, historic buildings and a summer festival linked to local peach growing. You can decide which of these themes to focus on and consider whether the route, the town’s history or the date of the Fira de l’Auberge will shape your stay.
Walking Trail and Literary Culture Route
On Stage 39 of the Camino Natural del Ebro, the de las Sènies trail runs from Móra d’Ebre to the fertile orchards of Benissanet. From Benissanet, the stage continues along the T-324 road towards Miravet. The information therefore describes two consecutive sections of the same stage: the trail to the orchards and its continuation towards Miravet. This specific link to the route can help you distinguish this focus from the cultural sights in the town when planning your trip.
The Ruta literà ria Artur Bladé i Desumvila offers a different perspective. Using excerpts from the writer’s works, it leads visitors to representative places in his birthplace, Benissanet, and runs as a cultural route through the town’s streets. Its focus is therefore on literature and the connection between texts and selected places. The Camino stage and the literary route are two distinct points of interest: one forms part of the Camino Natural del Ebro, while the other focuses on Artur Bladé i Desumvila and Benissanet.
Church, Tower and Traces of History
The church of Sant Joan Baptista stands in the centre of Benissanet. It was built after the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939, following the destruction of the former church in 1938. The church’s history thus connects its place in the townscape today with a specific historical turning point. For a stay focused on local history, this offers a different point of reference from the literary route or the walking stage.
The Torre de CervellĂł is an old watchtower and defensive tower in the Salvaterres area, at the foot of the Serra de la Vall de la Torre. Just over half of the structure remains: this includes, in particular, two crenellated walls on the north and west sides, as well as part of the east wall. The surviving sections give a precise idea of what remains of the tower. West of Benissanet lies the Santuari de la Mare de DĂ©u del Pilar, formerly dedicated to Saint Barbara. The remains of a Moorish wall can also be found by the Ebro.
The La Font Gran air-raid shelter is another historic site in Benissanet. It was built in the wake of the Battle of the Ebro because of the constant bombing of nearby crossings and, in part, the town itself. Together with the church, tower, sanctuary and wall remains, it reflects a range of historical connections, although these sites do not all share the same period or building history.
The Ebro and the Fira de l’Auberge
Benissanet has a landing place on the Ebro River. Another highlight of the local calendar is the Fira de l’Auberge, held every July. It showcases more than fifty varieties of peaches grown in Benissanet and features cultural and festive activities. The Fira thus combines the town’s peach growing with a seasonal event. Dates and programmes may change, so check the dates and programme for the relevant year before your trip.
Travel Themes to Help You Find a Hotel
When choosing a hotel in Benissanet, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip. The literary route and the buildings offer different perspectives on the town’s history, while Stage 39 of the Camino Natural del Ebro offers a distinct walking experience. If you are particularly interested in the Fira de l’Auberge, its date in July is another factor to consider when planning.
Discover more destinations: Albinyana, Santa Coloma De Queralt, Siurana, La Fatarella, Godall, Porrera, El Lligallo Del GĂ nguil, Flix.
For an overview of the wider region: Tarragona.
