Vilafortuny
| Cambrils municipality: Vilafortuny | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Castell de Vilafortuny
|
|||
| coat of arms | Map of Spain | ||
 Help on coat of arms |
|
||
| Basic data | |||
| Autonomous Community : | Catalonia | ||
| Province : | Tarragona | ||
| Comarca : | Baix Camp | ||
| Coordinates | 41 ° 4 ′ N , 1 ° 5 ′ E | ||
| Residents : | 5,668 (2018) INE | ||
| Area code: | 43038000600 | ||
Vilafortuny (in Catalan and official name) is one of the residential areas in the city of Cambrils , a coastal town in Baix Camp , in the province of Tarragona , in Catalonia ( Spain ). It is bounded to the east by Salou and to the north by Vila-seca . With its 5,668 inhabitants (as of 2018) it is one of the most densely populated residential areas on the Costa Dorada and the Catalan coast.
history
The last remains found in the area belonged to an Iberian tribe , particularly the Cossetanos, whose old castle is still located there today. There was also an Iberian settlement in Cambrils, which can be linked to the city of Oleastrum.
Thanks to finds such as stone blocks, there are indications that the Romans inhabited the country. The last two stones are still preserved today in the Reus Museum. Another indication of Roman settlement is the existence of Roman gravestones that were used in the construction of the castle in the 12th century and that were scattered around the area.
It has been documented since 1152 that Vilafortuny was founded at the same time as Cambrils. It was a small town center that existed for several centuries and had its own unit. It was in the same place where the castle and its immediate surroundings are still preserved today.
In the 18th century, the population of the old town declined due to pirate attacks and malaria fever until it was completely uninhabited in 1763. However, Vilafortuny had 40 residents again in the first half of the 19th century (1846) when it was administratively integrated into the city of Cambrils.
At the end of the 1950s, the district was expanded with the construction of hundreds of houses that were to be used as second homes. This created a whole new landscape consisting of white houses that were built in the former pine forest. This investment was made by the Ruiz Mateos company and CIA.
geography
place
Vilafortuny is located on the coast of the Costa Dorada, in the northeast of Cambrils. The place is located in an area bounded by the Riera de Riudoms (River Riudoms) in the west, the Mediterranean motorway in the north, the Mediterranean coast in the south and the Riera de Barenys (Salou) in the east, this dry river (" riera "in Catalan) represents the border of the Bajo Campo with the Tarragons.
geomorphology
The extension of the country shows some small elevations in its central part. The central interior area (northwest) is the highest part and reaches its highest point at the intersection of the settlement with the Mediterranean motorway, where there is an old watchtower. There are two dry rivers nearby. Several underground aqueduct systems cross the country. Some of the most fertile soils in the region are inland and higher, as they are practically the only ones that can be used for cultivation. The soils of the coastal region are somewhat drier and salty, but suitable for different types of vegetation. In the lower part, 3 artificial sand beaches form the coastline: Esquirol Beach, Vilafortuny Beach and Cap-de-Sant-Pere Beach. These beaches are connected by a long seafront promenade that goes from Cambrils to Salou . This forms a 1,760 meter long and 40 meter wide coastline, which is protected by several footbridges and breakwaters.
fauna and Flora
The pine (piñonero), typical of the Mediterranean coast and the most representative tree of the area, can be found throughout the area. This can be found in small groups in the area and on the coast. Typical trees are also the carob trees from nearby cultures as well as cork oaks , wild olive trees and fig trees .
Urban planning
Practically all of the following areas (urbanizaciones) are part of different settlements or communities with landscape areas: Baronía, Castells de Vilafortuny, Els Miralls de Vilafortuny, Els Tallats, Els ametllers, Eurogolden, Jardins de Vilafortuny, Mas d'en Bosch, Los Olivos Elisabeth, Pinar de Vilafortuny, Proacosa, Reus Mediterráni, Urcavisa, Vilafortuny II and Vilafortuny Playa.
Access
A 7 (Mediterranean motorway) exit Cambrils-este.
Old Vilaseca - Cambrils. Coming from Vilaseca and Salou
Path of the "Mas d'en Bosc". From Cambrils
Cavet de Barenys street. From Salou and Cambrils
Avenida Diputación (along the coast). From Salou and Cambrils
Attractions
Vilafortuny Castle
Located on Avenida Vilafortuny and classified as Cultural Heritage (Cultural Heritage of National Interest in Catalonia), it is actually a 12th century defense and military building. The castle is located on a hill near the coast. The side tower of the building called Torre del Homenaje (Honor Tower) is also a defensive structure. The inspiration for the building comes from the Renaissance. Inside are Roman inscriptions that were created before the castle, which was ordered by Ramon Berenguer IV in the 12th century, was built.
The castle was restored in the 1990s and is now used for weddings, baptisms and communions. Its total area is 1,665 m².
Mas d'en Bosc church
The church was built from the remains of the churches of Santa Maria de Barenys and Vilafortuny mentioned in 1194, which were destroyed by Berber corsairs in the 15th century. Archbishop Cervantes von Gaeta approved the construction of a new temple in 1575, the Santa Maria del Mas d'en Bosc, which was also only looted and not destroyed by pirates in 1582. It is a small Renaissance building that houses on the west side the remains of a small old parish cemetery, used by the residents of Barenys, Salou, Vilaseca, Vilafortuny and other small neighboring towns thanks to its easy access on the banks of the Camino Real . The farmhouse, the Mas d'en Bosc , located directly in front of the hermitage , was used for the horses in the carriages to relax and drink water and as an inn for passers-by.
Parish Church of Santa María de Vilafortuny
The parish church is located in the street of the same name and was built in 1960 in neo-colonial style.
Vilafortuny beaches
The beaches are characterized by their promenade with palm trees, benches and cycle paths that cross the whole of Vilafortuny and connect the coast from Salou to Cambrils. Most of the beaches are calm and spacious. Numerous services are represented:
public transport, Red Cross, restaurants, local police, cleaning the beaches, showers, accommodations, hammocks, nautical rentals, kiosks, umbrellas, children's areas, Paseo Marítimo, camping, rubbish bins, fountains etc.
Festivals
The main festival takes place on August 14th and 15th.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ The blog de Grasset »Archive of the blog» El castillo de Vilafortuny. June 22, 2009, accessed December 4, 2019 .