Gandesa (Terra Alta)

Gandesa is our local town, ten minuets walk from our house, is the capital of its region (Terra Alta) meaning high ground, approximately 360 mtrs asl and has a population of around 3000.
The area around Gandesa is an important wine growing area with excellent wines and of course Olives and Almonds
The photograph below, is of the Wine Cooperative finnished in 1919 by Cesor Martinell a pupil of Gaudi.
Gandesa has a long history first recorded in 1153 when Ramon Borenguer the 4th gave the castle of Gandesa to Prieto Della Rovere, Master of the Temple of Province and Hispania.
Much later in 1938 when Gandesa was at the centre of fighting during the Spanish Civil War when the republican forces crossed the river Ebro in an attempt to throw back the nationalist forces of General Franco.
There is a very good museum in the town showing artifacts and video's from this time in Gandesa's history.

Local places of Interest.
Miravet is a lovely picturesque village on the banks of the river Ebro, with the castle high on the hill over looking the river and once home of The Knights Templer.
A truly lovely day out is to visit Miravet pottery on to the castle and then spend the rest of the afternoon sitting on the banks of the river Ebro sipping wine with a menu del dia from many of the local bars in the village.
See this link for some wonderful views of miravet and views of and from the castell.

One kilometer out of Gandesa on the Tortosa road is the village of Fontcalda, this lovely Hermitage spar has some spectacular views on the way down into what was once a volcano with a small river running through the village and some lovely rock pools of cool water for swimming on a hot summers day.