La Galera, Montsià

About the place:

If you are looking for a different route, approach La Galera and get on a traditional carriage that will take you to discover a typical agricultural landscape of olive, carob, orange and almond fields.

A walk that takes you from the medieval tower converted into a church with a fantastic viewpoint towards the ravine that gives the name to the village surrounded by fruit crops. And halfway a stop to explore world of pottery, a thousand year old craft.

Joan Cortiella, master craftsman, is the latest saga of potters that started in the eighteenth century in La Galera. In his workshop you will discover the art of turning clay into a piggy bank, a jar or a drinker for animals. At the Terracotta center you’ll discover more about pottery with an entertaining game.

An itinerary for lovers of traditional crafts and agricultural landscape.

Direction tips:

The route by carriage or bike starts in front of the town hall of La Galera (C / San Lorenzo, 34) where you can park your car. You’ll arrive to La galera by the TP3311 between Santa Barbara and La Sénia.

With your back to the town hall go left by the Sant Lorenzo street. When you cross San Antonio street turn right alongside the medieval tower. When you reach the  crossroads with the Major street, turn left. Just before crossing the bridge that goes over the ravine of La Galera, take the fork to the right in the direction of the Picnica area of the Calvari. It is worth a stop to have a glimpse of the ravine from the chapel of San Vicente, which is right on the corner of the medieval bridge. After passing under the bridge next to the picnic area, you’ll leave the village behind you and start following the ravine along the fields of fruit trees.

Follow this paved path to reach the next bridge. At this point, you should take the main road that goes right up to a channel. Turn immediately left to cross the gorge. Stay left on the road. At the junction turn left again to go back to town following the ravine from the other side. Go always straight ahead until the fork with the TP3311. At this point you cross the road (be careful!) to entre the Cantallops street. At the intersection with the Creu street, you must turn right to go to the pottery. You’ll find the potters workshop 200 meters on your right. To return the town hall you should get back on your steps at the Creu street until the medieval bridge. Cross the medieval bridge and go straight on. At the medieval tower, turn right and immediately left to go back and take the Lorenzo street where you’ll find the Terracotta center. There you’ll be able to discover through a game and a puzzle some other things about pottery. 

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Timetable:

You should book in advance if you want to do the route by carriage or visit the pottery. (Tel. 977 718 339, call from Wednesday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:30, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 12:00 to 14:00).

Lunch tips:

La Galera has a picnic area "El Calvari” with benches and tables, barbecues, water and a playground. If you prefer to go to a restaurant, you can have some Catalan dishes at the restaurant El Pla de la Galera. 

More info:

Difficulty: Easy
Type: circular route
Total distance: approx. 4 km
Duration: 45 minutes (no breaks, roundtrip)
Accessibility: paved roads with little slope (there is only one steep ascent). Part of the route passes through the center of the village of La Galera.
Recommendations: Be carefull with the cars, since there are no specific biking roads in the village center.

Price:
Route by carriage: 30 € / family (max. 6 people) – Tel. 977 718 339
Visit to the workshop of potter Cortiella (C. Creu, 70 - Tel. 977 718 183) and the Terracotta Interpretation Center (C / Sant Llorenç 34, Tel. 977 718 339): 5 € / person (with demonstration and practical activity). Children under 6 years: free.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat