La Masó – Architecture, Templars and Calçot Cultivation

La Masó combines sacred architecture, historic buildings and a distinctly agricultural character. Santa Magdalena, Cal Benet and the old Molí de la Selva mill represent different ways of exploring the town’s history; calçots and hazelnuts reflect its agriculture. If you’re looking for a hotel in La Masó, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: architecture, history, agriculture or the festival each offer a different perspective on the town.

Church architecture and historic houses

Santa Magdalena is a late-19th-century Neo-Romanesque parish church (1890). Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross and comprises three naves; the octagonal crossing is topped by a dome. It is the only temple in the comarca with a Byzantine dome. The floor plan and naves describe the church’s spatial layout, while the dome is its architectural hallmark.

The bell tower, separate from the church, was built around 1817 and belonged to an earlier building. The tower and parish church therefore represent different building phases: the bell tower belongs to an earlier structure, while the Neo-Romanesque church dates from the late 19th century.

Cal Benet is considered the oldest house in La Masó and a site of national historical interest; its arched doorway is particularly striking. The house adds a different scale to the architectural history than the church: here, the focus is on a single building and a distinctive architectural detail.

The mill and Templar connections

The old Molí de la Selva mill preserves well-maintained medieval cellars underground and belonged to the Templars. Separately, one historical interpretation places the seat of the Templar commandery of Rourell in what is now the centre of La Masó, rather than in Rourell itself. Together, the mill and this identification of the location offer two different ways to explore the town’s history: through a surviving building and through the historical location of a seat.

Agriculture and the festival

La Masó has an agricultural character and is closely associated with hazelnut cultivation. Calçots are also grown locally: thousands are cultivated here, and the town is one of the main producers of IGP Calçot de Valls. Production volumes may vary.

The Festa Major d'Estiu de La Masó adds a festive dimension. It includes a mass as well as recreational and cultural events for all age groups. Programmes may change; if you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the dates in the relevant programme.

The Francolí, roads and hiking trail

The Francolí forms much of La Masó’s eastern boundary. Around three quarters of the agricultural land is irrigated, mainly with water from the Francolí. The reference here is agricultural land: the proportion of irrigated land does not refer to the municipality’s total area. The river is therefore both part of the municipal boundary and a water source for agriculture.

A bridge over the Francolí carries the road connecting La Masó with the N-240. A local road connects the town to the Tarragona–Valls national road (N-240) and, via El Rourell, to the Vilallonga del Camp–Valls local road. The PR C-1 hiking trail is separate from these roads and runs from Vallmoll through La Masó to El Rourell. If you plan to walk it, check route conditions and trail markings before setting out.

Discover more destinations: L'Albiol, Rodonyà, L'espluga De Francolí, Riudecanyes, Ulldemolins, Ulldecona, El Papiolet, Prades

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.