Prat De Comte

Prat De Comte lies at the foot of the Els Ports mountain range. Its natural landscape and local culture offer different points of interest: the surroundings are shaped by La Jepa, the Via Verda and the GR-171; in the village, Sant Bartomeu, the Forn Morruno and festive traditions provide further specific points of interest.

Els Ports and routes around Prat De Comte

The La Jepa valley is an interpretive area between the former Prat De Comte railway station and the Fontcalda sanctuary; it lies beside the Canaletes River and the Via Verda. The Via Verda is a former railway line that is now used as a tourist route for non-motorised vehicles. It therefore links the former railway track with its present-day tourist use.

The GR-171 hiking route is 7.3 km long, takes approximately two hours and has an elevation gain of 520 metres. Its approximate duration, distance and elevation gain give you concrete reference points for estimating how much time this hike will take. The GR-171 is described differently from the Via Verda: here, hiking statistics are provided, while the Via Verda is characterised as a tourist route for non-motorised vehicles along a former railway line.

El Molí is an old mill in Prat De Comte that the municipality has equipped as a recreational area. The GR-171 connects El Molí with La Refoia. Together with Tossal d'Engrilló and the Montsagres, La Refoia forms one of the most significant landscape units in Els Ports Natural Park. These names give the natural landscape a specific point of reference, while La Jepa describes a distinct area featuring the river, the former railway station and the Via Verda.

Architectural history and heritage

The parish church of Sant Bartomeu was built in the 17th century in the Renaissance and Baroque styles. It was rebuilt after the Civil War; its altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Fontcalda. The construction period, architectural styles and rebuilding belong to different stages of its history, while the altar’s dedication provides its own religious reference.

The Forn Morruno is a communal oven built in 1860 and later restored. It is fired up during some annual festivities, when people bake food there. Its use is associated with specific festivities; the dates may vary.

Festive traditions with their own character

At the Festa de l'Aiguardent, different aguardientes are sampled alongside traditional sweets, including coquetes d'aiguardent and casquetes. During the festival, the whole village opens its doors to distilling equipment, as well as to various associations, traders and exhibitors. Residents invite visitors into their homes, which serve as special market stalls. Both the tastings and the open houses are therefore part of the festivities. Since programme details may vary, it is worth checking the dates of each festival before your trip.

Another tradition is the Cursa del Cresol: participants carry a burning oil lamp during this race. Joan Amades listed the race as unique in Catalonia in his book on Catalan customs. Unlike the tastings and market stalls of the Festa de l'Aiguardent, the Cursa centres on a race with a burning lamp. The two traditions thus showcase different aspects of local customs.

Discover more destinations: Bràfim, La Senia, Poble Nou, Falset, Ferran, Bellmunt del Priorat, Vilabella, Albarca

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.