History, culture, festivals and traditions
History
Iberians, Romans, Saracens, Templar Knights , Knights of Malta, Aragoneses, Catalans, Romanesque people, Gothic , Renaissance people, Baroque people, Modernist people, Carlists, Nationalist, Republicans… The marks of men and their works remain on the Terra Alta.
History has left many elements around the region from the era of the Ibers to present day and show us the splendour of these places in the past. Iberian villages of Batea, Caseres and Gandesa are the first footprint that history has made in the region. Repopulated by the Knights Templar after the expulsion of the Saracens , the remains of towers and castles that rosed majestically to defend the territory are still evident today. The region was severely punished during the Carlist Wars although the strongest footprint is the Battle of the Ebro, during 5 endless months, fields and mountains of the region became a sad scene of one of the cruelest battles of the Spain Civil War.
Culture, festivals and traditions
In spring, the procession to the chapel; in summer, heat and the local festival; in autumn, grape picking; in winter, the oil arrives; for Sant Antoni the animals are blessed and spring returns. The Terra Alta is always celebrating Earth’s eternal cycle.
The Terra Alta hosts a wide range of varied popular events that make it an area with an heritage full of venerable traditions.
A large number of hermitages are conserved in unique spots. In spring they become the focus of pilgrimages and processions, hosting days full of emotions where there is no lack of brotherhood and excitement.
The local festivals are one of the best moments to visit the villages of Terra Alta. Full of traditions and customs, one highlight is the “Dansada” (a kind of traditional “jota” dance), which is the typical dance of the region. Besides, typical and traditional events continue to be held that keep the identity of these villages alive.
In all towns you will find notable festivals and fairs; the Honey Festival (Arnes), the Wine Festivals and Fairs (Batea, Gandesa), the Oil Festival (Bot and la Fatarella), Sweet Autumn (Horta de Sant Joan), Pinellart (Pinell de Brai), the Eau-de-Vie Festival (Prat de Comte) and the Almond Festival. La Pobla de Massaluca receive the varied calendar of events for our towns.
The cultural events are very alive and verifiable in Terra Alta. Theater groups, "Jota" groups , bands, "grallers", "geganters", etc. pervade the region a cultural environment that enriches the coexistence and promotes welcoming people.
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In Terra Alta you can find a big variety of places, accommodation, restaurants, tourist service companies, and more things to enjoy this sublime place.