viernes, 30 de marzo de 2012

CATALONIA: MIRAVET AND PAS DE LA BARCA

Miravet is a lovely village located near Costa Daurada and Delta de l'Ebre you will love at first sight. From the top of the hill, the castle watches over the town and the river. It is worth seeing how the old houses and the old church rise from the river to the castle.

Miravet Castle reflected in Ebre river 
The castle of Miravet reflected in the Ebre river from El Pas de la Barca before crossing it 

The best way to get Miravet is by El Pas de la Barca, the last river ferry that crosses the Ebre river using only the force of water without engine, capable of carrying cars, light vehicles and people. I enjoyed a fantastic panoramic view of Miravet, the castle and surrounding hills, as well as a quiet and relaxing trip. Crossing the river by ferry or raft is a unique experience, which allowed us to remember what sailing along the Ebre was like in times gone by.

Although almost all the regional villages had a Pas de Barca (river crossing) until the 1960s, they disappeared due to better roads, road transport and the building of bridges in some of the most important villages. In fact, nowadays there are only two: one in Flix and another in Miravet. The Flix "raft" is electric, but the one in Miravet makes use of the water currents. 

Pas de la Barca in Miravet


Pas de la Barca near Miravet 
El Pas de la Barca near Miravet

Pas de la Barca near Miravet
El Pas de la Barca near Miravet allows to cross the Ebre river between Miravet and the C-12 road. It has been working without engine for centuries. In order to fight the current of the river and maintain stability, the structure is tied to both shores with a metallic cable


Pas de la Barca near Miravet

El Pas de la Barca near Miravet takes the power of water to cross from one side to the other of the river. The ferry is made out of two or more llaguts (small traditional kinds of boats), over which is placed a wooden platform

   
Pas de la Barca near Miravet
El Pas de la Barca from the other side of the Ebre river. A mobile footbridge - which adapted to the water level of the river - gave the villagers access

Miravet


Castle of Miravet
Another view of the castle of Miravet. As you will see, the views from the castle are fantastic

  Waiting for the last car which was still crossing the river

Castle of Miravet

Impressing view of Miravet where you can see the Ebre river, the old church and the castle. It is worth seeing how the old houses and the old church rise from the river to the castle (picture obtained from wikipedia and taken by Jaume Meneses)


 Castle of Miravet
Entering the castle of Miravet 

Old church of Miravet 
The old church of Miravet from the castle

Castle of Miravet
Visiting the castle of Miravet

Ebre river from the castle of Miravet 
From this point of the castle of Miravet I enjoyed a fantastic view of the Ebre river and the old church of Miravet

 Castle of Miravet
Parade ground of Miravet castle. The chapter house, refectory, the tank, the winery and the silos, the chancery, the cloister and the Romanesque church are located around the parade ground

Church inside the castle of Miravet
Inside the romanesque church of the castle of Miravet

Beautiful view of the Ebre river from the castle of Miravet
  
I spent a fantastic sunday morning visiting the castle of Miravet and enjoying the views of the Ebre river under a lovely day

 
Another view of the Ebre river from the castle of Miravet


In addition to the lovely village of Miravet, I strongly recommend visiting in la  Costa Daurada  the following beautiful places:



Besides, If you like medieval villages like Miravet or medieval architecture, clicking on the next links you will find more beautiful villages and other fantastic medieval monasteries in  Catalonia:

- Medieval villages

- Medieval Monasteries



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