Masllorenç: Dry Stone Route and Building History

Masllorenç lies on the mountainous border between Baix Penedès and Alt Camp. Two themes can help you choose this destination: the dry stone route through vineyards and the town’s architectural and festival history.

Dry Stone Huts and Vineyards

The dry stone route includes 14 very well-preserved dry stone huts. The term “dry stone” refers to a building method in which stones are laid without binding mortar. Passing through vineyards, the route approaches Turó de Masnou. The huts, vineyards and mountain thus represent different aspects of the same route: rural building forms and the landscape through which the path runs.

The route also includes shelters built against walls. Their interiors can accommodate a considerable number of people. Alongside the huts, these are further examples of rural architecture that form part of the local cultural heritage you can explore as a theme along the route.

Architecture and Settlement History

The Church of Sant Ramon de Penyafort is an example of Catalan classicist Baroque. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and it has a barrel vault. A Latin-cross floor plan describes the shape of the building plan; a barrel vault is a continuous vaulted ceiling. The style, floor plan and vault thus provide three distinct points of reference for understanding the church’s architecture.

A bell tower was built in 1855 and is crowned by an iron angel named “Llorenç.” Les voltes de Cal Baró belongs to the oldest settlement area of Masllorenç. There are signs of a fortified settlement core there; some authors date its origins to the late Middle Ages.

These places draw attention to different aspects of Masllorenç’s history: the church represents its architectural form, while Les voltes de Cal Baró represents the settlement area and the cautious dating of the fortified core. The year 1855 provides a specific point of reference for the bell tower. This makes it possible to distinguish the architecture, settlement history and a dated building element.

Festivals as Seasonal Markers

The Festa Major d’hivern is celebrated on 7 January in honour of Sant Ramon de Penyafort and is part of the recurring traditional calendar. The summer Festa Major takes place on the first Sunday in August. The annual programme may change; check the specific dates if you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals. The winter date is fixed on the calendar; the summer date falls on the first Sunday in August.

For planning your trip, the interests can be clearly distinguished: the dry stone route brings together landscape and rural building forms, while the church, bell tower and Les voltes de Cal Baró offer a way to explore architecture and local history. The festivals provide additional seasonal markers.

Discover more destinations: Masarbonès, Vilaplana, Paüls, La Masó, El Lligallo Del Gànguil, Farena, Botarell, Castellvell Del Camp.

For the wider travel overview: Tarragona.