A STORY OF MINERS, CLOCKS, NOSES AND WINES IN THE PRIORAT REGION

Mines de Bellmunt de Priorat

BELLMUNT DEL PRIORAT

PORRERA

It is well known that for centuries a good wine has come out from the Priorat region. But it has already fallen more into oblivion that the geology of the region has given another product of high industrial value: lead. We begin this TripIdea in the most important lead mines in Catalonia for a century, Bellmunt del Priorat.

Etiquetes:

Costa Daurada, Bellmunt del Priorat, Porrera

IN SEARCH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS METAL OF THE PRIORAT REGION

The mining operation of the Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) has now become an interpretation center with the Bellmunt del Priorat Mining Museum. With this exhibition it is interesting to know the work that the miners did here between 1870 and 1972, when the mines were closed. But it's even more exciting to put on the helmet and go down.
Always with a guide, you will enter the first gallery plant of the Mina Eugenia, the most spectacular, through its old emergency exit. You will reach 35 meters deep and once inside you will take a 700 meter walk to imagine the hard work of the miners and appreciate the mineral wealth of the subsoil. Children can also access without problems. At the exit, made by the land of the mine, it is fun to enroll in a mineral-seeking workshop. Are you able to find the remains of lead that still exist in this place?

THE VILLAGE OF SUNDIALS OF THE COSTA DAURADA (GOLDEN COAST)

We continue the trip. It is already known that when men live a great moment of economic splendor, time is gold. Perhaps that's why in Porrera, who lived a great time in the early 19th century, the tool par excellence to control the passage of time proliferated on the walls of the village: sundials. Today, there are still 14 sundials on the façades, which, of course, also have an artistic purpose. jMost are paintings on lime or fresco plastering.

The City Council of Porrera has edited a small guide to follow Sundials Route, in which the El Portal sundial, one of the largest in Catalonia, stands out. Now, watch out, because from one moment to another you will end up distracted by a very particular watch. Read the inscription. "What are you looking at owl, the sun never shines here!" Exactly, a unique sundial that has a shade all year round. What a good mood and wit have the villagers of Porrera!

A GOLDEN NOSE FOR A WHITE WINE

Although in Porrera, in the middle of August, you have an appointment with the children. 'Nasset, Nas, Nassot' is a contest open to all audiences seeking to find good yung blood for the profession of sommeliers in this country. The wineries of Priorat Denimination of Origin present their wines and the children are divided into different categories ('nasset' from 0 to 9 years old, 'nas' from 10 to 17 years old) and also adults ('nassot' 18 years and more), who have to prove their ability identifying aromas and flavors of the wines presented. Obviously, the game is adaptsed to each age group.

Since we are in wine territory, it is worth reviewing some of the Wine Fairs that you can discover during the summer at the Priorat. At the beginning of June, the Solidarity Wine Fair in Masroig. The last weekend of July, the Wine Show and Tasting in El Lloar. In Torroja del Priorat it is the third weekend of August. And the traditional Wine and Vintage Festival of Poboleda is made on the second Saturday of September.
This region breathes wine culture!