How to get by car to Miravet Castle in Tarragona?
Castell de Miravet is a large Romanesque castle rebuilt by the Knights Templar, located in the Province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
Where is Miravet Castle?
The castle is situated on a hilltop at an elevation of 110 meters (360 feet) above sea level, on the northern shore of the Ebro River, in the comarca of Ribera d'Ebre, in the northeastern part of the country. The fortress has dominated the downstream part of the Ebro and the small village of Miravet since the 9th century.
Why is Miravet Castle famous?
Miravet Castle is a prominent example of Templar architecture in Europe. Originally built by the Arabs, it was designed in the defensive style typical of the Holy Land, with walls overlooking the River Ebro. After being captured by Christians in 1153, it was given to Pere de Rovira, the Templar master in Hispania and Provence, who rebuilt and expanded it. The castle soon became a major center of Christian power on the Iberian Peninsula. Although much of the structure reflects Templar construction, remnants of the original Andalusian fortress can still be seen, especially in the lower parts of the walls and some sections of the upper enclosure.
How long is the road to Miravet Castle?
The road to the castle is fully paved but quite narrow in parts—too narrow for two average cars to pass each other—and very steep, with some sections reaching a maximum gradient of 12%. Starting from the TV-3023 road, the ascent is 1.1 kilometers (0.68 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 76 meters, with an average gradient of 6.90%.