FALSET
Falset is the capital of the Priorat region, which belongs to the province
of Tarragona. Falset has become a very important centre in the last few years
by the development and internationalisation of its wines. In addition to other
aspects of the town are their monuments of architectonic interest, the production
of cooked pork products and pastry-making, and overall by its popular celebrations
of great popular tradition.
Falset was a fortified town pertaining to the barony of Entença. It
had a castle and a great wall with five gates, two of them can even
be enjoyed nowadays. The gate "Portal del Bou", with the weapons
of Dukes of Medinacelli and the gate "Portal de Ferres",
of which only a small part is conserved. Also we can contemplate about 200
meters of wall. The population of Falset is surrounded by small mountain ranges
that give the valley character and where they excel the Church of Santa
Maria and the rest of the medieval castle (century XII).
The tradition in the wine production began its recognised splendour as of
1919, in which the wine cellar co-operative of modernist style was constructed,
work of the architect Cesar Martinell, disciple of Gaudí.
Within the term of the town of Falset we found two wine regions (D.O. Priorat
and D.O. Montsant), both zones are differentiated by their grounds and own
characteristics. The D.O. Priorat is made up of mountains of slate (called
licorell). The D.O. Montsant is formed by more level lands made up
of sands, gravel and clay.
In the environs of the town there are the hermitages of Sant Cristòfol
and Sant Gregori, this last one dated of century XVI, and where we found a
prehistoric habitat of 15.000 years before Christ. Here we can emphasise
a taxed red deer in a slate plate, a piece of great artistic and archaeological
value.
Data of interest of Falset
Architecture
Castle of century XII (at the moment it is not possible to visit it).
Hermitage of Sant Gregori, picnic zone.
Palace of Counts from Azara. Museum
Quartera square, Palace of Dukes of Medinacelli (City Hall).
Rest of the wall. Gate "Portal dels Bous".
Modernist building of the wine cellar co-operative "Celler Cooperatiu
Cèsar Martinell"
Gothic shutter of Can Rull
Popular celebrations
JANUARY: L'ENCAMISADA. Parade of stables equipped, mounted by
riders dressed in the typical suit. The weekend next to the day of Sant Antoni
Abad is celebrated on 17 of January.
FEBRUARY: Celebration of SANT BLAI, 3 of February. Celebration of the
Malanyet district. Takes a walk by the streets a "coc en recapte"
(typical pastry) of about 10/20 meters .
MAY: FAIR OF THE WINE. First weekend of May. Exhibition, conferences,
tables, etc. And all about wines from D.O. Priorat and Montsant.
AUGUST: ANNUAL FESTIVAL. From the 14 to the 18 of August. Traditional
dances and battle of flowers.
NOVEMBER: SANT ANDREU FAIR. Days 29 and 30 of November, commercial
and industrial Fair.
