{"id":33335,"date":"2023-09-07T20:25:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T18:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/horta-de-sant-joan\/"},"modified":"2024-11-11T21:26:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T20:26:27","slug":"horta-de-sant-joan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/horta-de-sant-joan\/","title":{"rendered":"Horta de Sant Joan, the Village that Captivated Picasso"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Horta de Sant Joan<\/strong> is a picturesque medieval village located in the Terra Alta<\/strong> region (in the province of Tarragona), within the Els Ports Natural Park<\/strong>. Limited industry and the concentration of the population in small villages have allowed for the splendid preservation of its monumental structures and natural environment\u2014a combination that creates landscapes of remarkable beauty. In fact, the town\u2019s historic center has been declared a cultural asset of national interest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

What to See<\/h2>\n

Strolling through the village streets, you\u2019ll find many picturesque spots with cobbled streets and ancient houses<\/strong> that retain their medieval character.<\/p>\n

\"Street
Street in Horta de Sant Joan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The center of the village is at Pla\u00e7a de Sant Salvador d’Horta<\/strong>, a porticoed square with rounded ogival arches.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Pla\u00e7a de l’Esgl\u00e9sia, with the Town Hall on the left<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearby, heading south, is Pla\u00e7a de l’Esgl\u00e9sia<\/strong>, where the main buildings are located: the Church of Sant Joan Baptista<\/strong> (12th century), with a blend of Catalan Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. The church features a single nave covered with ribbed vaults. The robust exterior facade, with only a small door and a rose window, contrasts with the interior, which has long pointed windows in the apse.<\/p>\n

\"Church
Church of Sant Joan Baptista<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next to it is the Town Hall<\/strong>, a Renaissance-style building from the 16th century, with a porticoed ground floor with rounded arches, a main floor with large windows, and a second floor with a gallery of small arches. The building\u2019s lower level houses the Old Jail of Horta de Sant Joan<\/strong>, now restored and used for exhibitions.<\/p>\n

Also notable is the Casa Colau<\/strong> (14th-15th centuries), a Gothic-style building with a zigzagged and wavy roof. Also in the square are Casa de l\u2019Habanero<\/strong>, Casa Pepo<\/strong>, and Casa Pascualet<\/strong>, all porticoed and dating from the same era.<\/p>\n

\"Porticos
Porticos of Casa Colau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Behind the square is the Casa de la Comana or Delme House<\/strong>, a fortified Renaissance-era building that served as an administrative center for the Hospitallers.<\/p>\n

Following the right fork down Pintor Pablo Ruiz Picasso Street, you\u2019ll arrive at the Ecomuseum of Els Ports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On Baix Street, turning right onto Hospital Street, you\u2019ll reach the old Hospital<\/strong>, a solid, square Renaissance building with Gothic elements, now home to the Picasso Center of Horta.<\/p>\n

Leaving through Bassa del Mur Street, a half-hour walk or a 7-minute drive will take you to the Convent of Sant Salvador d’Horta<\/strong>, at the foot of Sant Salvador hill. This is a Franciscan convent also known as the Convent of Santa Maria dels \u00c0ngels, founded in 1543 and converted into a retreat in 1576. While the church has been fully preserved, the convent itself is in ruins.<\/p>\n

Another symbol of the town is Lo Parot<\/em><\/strong>, an ancient olive tree designated as a monumental tree due to its two-thousand-year-old age, located within the municipal limits but outside the town center.<\/p>\n

What to Do<\/h2>\n

Horta de Sant Joan offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and interests.<\/p>\n

The Picasso Center<\/strong><\/a>, with more than 200 works on display, is a must-visit to understand how this landscape inspired the early stages of the artist\u2019s work. Picasso visited the village twice as a young man, in 1897-98 and again in 1909, to spend time with his friend Manuel Pallar\u00e9s.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Picasso Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another museum, the Ecomuseum of Els Ports<\/strong><\/a>, provides information about the Els Ports Natural Park, where the village is located. Here you can learn about the rich natural and cultural heritage of the massif and the surrounding villages.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ecomuseum of Els Ports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For hiking enthusiasts, the Santa B\u00e0rbara Mountain<\/strong> is located in Horta de Sant Joan itself. A trail starts just next to the Convent of Sant Salvador and leads to beautiful caves, including the cave of Sant Salvador<\/strong>. Following the trail uphill, you\u2019ll encounter the ruins of the ancient chapels of Sant Antoni and Santa B\u00e0rbara<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Continuing along the mountain via the old Bot road, you\u2019ll pass the stunning Torre del Prior<\/strong>, a square medieval defense tower. Here, you can join the Water Route<\/strong> leading to Les Olles<\/strong> on the Canaletes River, one of the most popular bathing spots in the area. The route crosses rocky ledges and forms gorges and pools at different levels, including l’Assut<\/strong>, a large Greenway bridge over the Algars River, and several springs.<\/p>\n

Another option is to follow the Greenway of the Zaf\u00e1n Valley<\/strong>, which runs from Tortosa to Alca\u00f1iz along an old railway route and can be traveled on foot, by bike, or on horseback.<\/p>\n

This area also offers a variety of adventure sports like canyoning<\/strong>, climbing<\/strong>, and spelunking<\/strong>. There are also many opportunities for wine tourism<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can check the current schedule of activities on the Town Hall\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gastronomy<\/h2>\n

Terra Alta is a hub of classic, traditional Catalan cuisine<\/strong>. Dishes like rabbit with garlic aioli<\/strong>, saut\u00e9ed snails, wild boar, fava beans Catalan-style<\/strong>, partridge hunter-style, and \u201cl’ornit\u201d with paprika are some examples. Of particular note is the vegetable paella<\/strong> made with local olive oil and cured ham.<\/p>\n

In the realm of desserts, coca fina, magdalenas, and honey cake are popular. The rodots<\/strong> and \u201ccapsetes\u201d<\/strong>, sweets inherited from Arabic flavors, are especially authentic. Dried fruits, especially hazelnuts<\/strong>, are also a local specialty, along with mostillo<\/strong><\/em>, a delicious dessert made with grape must and nuts.<\/p>\n

To accompany your meal, the region produces excellent wines<\/strong> from the Terra Alta Designation of Origin<\/strong>, especially fine white wines, and anise-flavored brandy from Horta de Sant Joan.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat<\/h2>\n

The entire local gastronomic offering can be found in the restaurants of Horta de Sant Joan, which serve traditional cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients.<\/p>\n

You can find all the restaurants in Horta de Sant Joan on Guiacat<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/h2>\n

Horta de Sant Joan and its surroundings are ideal for rural tourism. Whether you\u2019re looking to connect with nature and enjoy hiking on trails with minimal elevation or explore the historic heritage of the ancient village centers, renting a rural house or staying at a campsite are great options.<\/p>\n

You can find all the rural accommodations near Horta de Sant Joan on Guiacat<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Festivals<\/h2>\n

The Main Festivals<\/b> of Horta de Sant Joan<\/strong> are celebrated in the second half of September, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, with days filled with activities, including music, dances, contests, bull runs, and community meals.<\/p>\n

Other festivals include the Saint Anthony Auction<\/b> in mid-January, where animals are blessed, and goods are collected. Afterwards, the food items are auctioned off, with proceeds going toward improvements to the Convent of Sant Salvador.<\/p>\n

The Feast of Sant Salvador<\/b>, related to the Convent of Sant Salvador, is celebrated on March 18. According to tradition, a pilgrimage is made around the Convent grounds. In the morning, typical sweets from the town (coc, rodots, etc.), donated by the townspeople, are sold, and a community paella is cooked and shared with attendees. Proceeds also go toward maintenance of the Convent of Sant Salvador.<\/p>\n

The April Festival<\/b> (the first weekend after April 21) is also closely linked to Saint Salvador, as it commemorates the miracle of rain after a long drought. The weekend is filled with activities, including the Quick Painting Contest<\/strong>, an event to promote art within the community while showcasing the cultural and architectural heritage of Horta de Sant Joan for artists and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

The Festival of La Costa<\/b> takes place on the last weekend of September (after the festival of La Merc\u00e8) and is named after a street that divides the village in two. One side of the village hosts the festival, and the other is invited. Streets are decorated, bonfires are lit, and all kinds of food are roasted: sardines, meat, sausages for everyone. The festival concludes with the jota of Horta, the traditional dance of the region.<\/p>\n

Lastly, on the first Sunday of October, the Dol\u00e7a Tardor<\/b> (Sweet Autumn) Festival (also known as the Mostillo Festival) is held. It\u2019s a popular artisan fair, showcasing traditional fall products, including the featured mostillo<\/em>. The festival ends with a popular evening meal.<\/p>\n

Best Time to Visit<\/h2>\n

The best times to visit are in spring<\/strong> or early autumn<\/strong>, when temperatures are milder. The town’s inland climate means that summers can be very hot, and winters can be quite cold.<\/p>\n

Must-See Attractions<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Visit the Picasso Center<\/strong> in Horta de Sant Joan<\/li>\n
  • Stroll through the monumental historic center<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Explore the trails in the Els Ports Natural Park<\/b><\/li>\n
  • See the Convent of Sant Salvador d’Horta<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What to See Near Horta de Sant Joan<\/h2>\n

    The archaeological site of Iberian Village of Sant<\/span> Antoni<\/span><\/strong> is located 20 km from the town center and is thought to be the origin of the settlements that preceded Horta de Sant Joan.<\/span><\/p>\n

    From the town, you can see the Roques de Benet<\/strong>, rock formations immortalized in many of Picasso\u2019s paintings.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Les
    View of Les Roques de Benet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Nearby towns include Arnes<\/b>, Pa\u00fcls<\/b>, and Alfara de Carles<\/b> to the south, Lled\u00f3<\/b>, Arenys de Lled\u00f3<\/b>, and Valderrobres<\/strong> (Teruel) to the west; to the north, Caseres<\/b> and Bot<\/b>, and to the east, Prat de Comte<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s about a 25-minute drive (20 km) to Gandesa<\/strong>, the regional capital. A bit farther are M\u00f3ra la Nova<\/strong>, M\u00f3ra d’Ebre<\/strong>, and Miravet<\/strong>, towns of great historical interest due to the impact of the Battle of the Ebro.<\/p>\n

    \"View
    View of Miravet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    How to Get There<\/h2>\n

    By car:<\/strong> From Tarragona, it takes around an hour and a half (about 100 km). Take the T-11 road<\/strong> towards Reus and then join the N-420<\/strong> towards Falset. Continue toward Gandesa, passing M\u00f3ra la Nova and M\u00f3ra d’Ebre. At Gandesa, exit the main road and cross the town towards Bot. Continue on the T-334<\/strong> road towards Horta de Sant Joan.<\/p>\n

    By public transport:<\/strong> Although the journey is longer, you can reach Horta de Sant Joan by bus<\/strong> with the company Hife<\/em>, from Tarragona via Tortosa, with stops at other nearby towns.<\/p>\n

    Map<\/h2>\n\t\t
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    Horta de Sant Joan is a picturesque medieval village located in the Terra Alta region (in the province of Tarragona), within the Els Ports Natural Park. Limited industry and the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1912,1109,1135,1911],"tags":[1919,1914,1915,1910,1419,1137,1920,1125,1917,1129,1918],"class_list":["post-33335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-terra-alta-en","category-cities-and-towns","category-destacat-en","category-tarragona-provincia-en","tag-be-cultural-dinteres-nacional-en-2","tag-conjunt-monumental-en","tag-cuina-tradicional-en","tag-enoturisme-en","tag-esports-daventura-en-2","tag-medieval-en","tag-museus-dart-en","tag-natura-en","tag-partimoni-historic-en","tag-senderisme-en","tag-turisme-rural-en"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33335"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33361,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33335\/revisions\/33361"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.catalunyaturisme.cat\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}