Discover Vimbodí

Vimbodí combines a glassmaking history dating back to the Middle Ages with hiking destinations, historic details in the townscape and festival traditions. When planning your trip, you can organise these themes around culture, nature or a specific occasion.

Glassmaking history and craft

Glassmaking in Vimbodí dates back to the Middle Ages, more specifically to the 12th century. An important early reference is the first documented glass furnace in the municipality of Vimbodí i Poblet: it is dated 1188 and belonged to the glassmaker Guillem. At the beginning of the 20th century, glass production became Vimbodí’s main industry, and several glass furnaces were established in the town. The history therefore stretches from its medieval beginnings to a period when the craft shaped the town’s industrial character.

The Museu del Vidre offers family visits and workshops where you can learn about and try your hand at the craft of glassblowing. The Sarga workshops include materials and guidance from an artisan. They also include museum admission, a glassblowing demonstration and access to the collection. Participants can then take home the piece they have made. Since 2014, VITRUM has also been held every year over a weekend in October in Vimbodí i Poblet. If you plan to travel for the event, check the date for the relevant year in advance.

Hiking trails and landscapes

The third hiking trail reaches Tossal de la Baltasana. At 1,201 metres, it is the highest point in the Prades Mountains. Along this route, the trail also passes through a holm oak forest considered unique in Catalonia. The La Pena hiking trail has a different focus: it reaches a viewpoint above the La Pena gorge, offering a panorama of slopes characterised by holm oak forests. A historic relic on the route includes an icehouse. The therapeutic forest trail, meanwhile, starts and ends at Casa Forestal de Castellfollit in Vimbodí i Poblet.

The trails described therefore differ in their specific destinations: the third hiking trail leads to the highest point in the mountains, La Pena offers a viewpoint and a historic relic, and the starting and finishing point of the forest trail is specified. The Camí de Sant Jaume from Tarragona to Lleida also passes through places in the Conca de Barberà, including Vimbodí i Poblet. The section of the Camí de Sant Jaume through the Conca de Barberà is 35 kilometres long.

At Fonts del Gorg, a natural watercourse feeds the springs that gush from several limestone caves. There are also washing places set into the rock. In the past, the village women used these places to do their laundry. At Fonts del Gorg, the natural source of the springs and a glimpse of everyday life in the past therefore come together.

Local sights and festival traditions

Individual buildings and streets also offer specific points of interest on a tour of the town’s history. The façade of Sant Salvador Church features a vertical declining sundial bearing the year 1591. The altar of Mare de Déu de Montserrat in the Església de la Transfiguració del Senyor was designed by the modernist architect Josep M. Jujol. Carrer de les Abraçades is 94 centimetres wide and is considered one of the narrowest streets in Catalonia.

The Festes Quinquennals de la Mare de Déu dels Torrents have been celebrated every five years without interruption since 1944. During the welcoming procession, the image of Mare de Déu dels Torrents is carried from the hermitage to the parish church in town; the walk is two kilometres long. If you are travelling for this festival, it is advisable to check the date for the relevant year in advance. The Fonts del Gorg area also serves as a setting for folk dances during the patron saint’s festival, outdoor social evenings, family activities and other celebrations organised by the municipality.

Truffles and local experiences

Another option to consider when planning your trip is the range of experiences offered by the local company Tòfona de la Conca. These include a truffle hunt with dogs, truffle pairings with other foods and other family-friendly experiences. Together with the glassmaking workshops, these offer a range of different activities: hands-on crafts at the Museu del Vidre, nature and hiking destinations, and experiences centred on truffles and local festival traditions.

Discover more destinations: Cornudella De Montsant, L'ametlla De Mar, Clarà, La Bisbal Del Penedès, El Montmell, Montbrió Del Camp, Santa Coloma De Queralt, Bellvei.

For the broader travel overview: Tarragona.