Roda De Barà: Coastal Paths, Culture and History

Roda De Barà offers something for different travel interests: coastal scenery, walking paths and cultural history. The Els Madalers dune ecosystem lies at Platja Llarga and is considered particularly interesting. If you are looking for a hotel in Roda De Barà, you might first consider whether walks, the coast or historic buildings will shape your stay. The paths, museums and buildings offer specific points of reference.

Coast, Promenade and Walking Paths

The Passeig Marítim stretches for more than a kilometre from the border with Creixell to the foot of the Berà hill. There are spacious car parks at both ends. This makes it easy to get your bearings along the seafront promenade by following its route and identifying its endpoints. Platja Llarga includes the Els Madalers dune ecosystem.

The Camí de Ronda connects Platja Llarga with the Roc de Sant Gaietà and runs along the southern slope of the Berà hill. It is a walking path through a natural setting characterised by cliffs; the scenery is exceptionally beautiful all year round. Its specific route and the setting described distinguish it from the longer seafront promenade.

There are also eight signposted hiking routes in and around Roda De Barà. They all start at Plaça de la Sardana and are marked with coloured arrows. Conditions on individual routes may change; check them before setting out. Boats can be rented and diving activities are available at the Port Esportiu. Operators and seasonal availability may change. If these activities are important to your plans, check what is currently on offer in advance.

Culture and Architectural History

The Arc de Berà is a triumphal arch along the route of the ancient Via Augusta. It was built in accordance with the testamentary wishes of Luci Licini Sura; its construction is dated to the end of the 1st century BC. The arch is part of the monumental ensemble of Tarraco, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.

The Roc de Sant Gaietà is a Mediterranean-style fishing village by the sea. Construction began in 1964 and was completed in 1972. The Museu de la Ràdio Luis del Olmo is located in the Roc. Its collection includes more than 540 radios in various styles and from different periods, from 1820 to the present day, as well as awards presented to the radio journalist over the course of his career. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

The Espai Jujol at the Centre Cívic de La Roca Foradada displays photographs of important works by Josep M. Jujol. The locations range from Barcelona and Sant Joan Despí to various towns in Camp de Tarragona and Palma de Mallorca. They also include Jujol’s work on the Capella Mas Carreras and the parish church of Sant Bartomeu in Roda De Barà. The exhibition thus presents works from several locations, as well as his work in Roda De Barà.

Chapels, Mills and Quarry

The Capella Mas Carreras was built in the early 20th century next to a farmhouse that no longer exists. Josep M. Jujol worked on the chapel in the 1940s. The Ermita Mare de Déu de Berà is a vernacular Renaissance-style chapel made of masonry and dressed stone. Its nave is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes. The 32-metre-high bell tower of the Església de Sant Bartomeu is a prominent feature of the church.

Els Molins Fariners are the remains of three hydraulic grain mills arranged in a cascade on the eastern slope of the mountain of dels Molins. Despite their ruined condition, the walls of the three basins, the associated shafts and the lower mill building are still largely intact. The site thus shows both the arrangement of the mills and parts of their architectural structure.

The Pedrera de l'Elies is an open-air quarry with two extraction faces about 50 metres apart. The larger area covers more than 6,500 m²; the remains of a lime kiln survive at one end. It is believed that building material for the original construction of the Arc de Berà and for later restorations came from this quarry.

The Mirador Pujol de la Morella is on a hill 172 metres high, north of the town centre. Beside a water tank, there is a small picnic area with tables and stone benches. The information about its elevation and location helps distinguish this viewpoint from the coastal paths and historic buildings.

Discover more destinations: El Roc De Sant Gaietà, L'ametlla De Mar, L'ampolla, Montbrió Del Camp, Masllorenç, Guialmons, L'espluga De Francolí, Albarca.

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.