Rasquera, Ribera d'Ebre

About the place:

What do you think of discovering one of the eleven chapels surrounding the convent of Cardó, a place where a legend says a miracle happened? Built in the early XVII century together with he rest of he monastery, the hermitage of Sant Simeó or the Column had the function of offering to the monks the opportunity to combine insulation with community life. The story says that one day, one of the founders of the convent fell down from this shrine into a hole, but he survived miraculously.

Watching the site closely where, it seems possible. In the middle of the forest of the Cardó saw a rock emerges, with a chapel on its summit. It is the chapel of the column. It is impressive to see how it stays there with cliffs on all sides.

Direction tips:

The route starts in the village of Rasquera. You’ll enter he town comng fro the T302 by the Doña Julia Pellisa street. Follow signs to the hermitage of San Domingo. At a fork, you should take the street that goes up slightly in front of you, leaving on your left a children's playground and the street that leads directly to the hermitage of San Domingo. Follow the road to Cardó (TV3021) about 9.6 km to the Cardó’ Spa, a former convent converted to resort in the XIX century and currently under reconstruction.

While driving to the old resort, take your time to enjoy of the panoramic views over the Cardó mountains. Once you arrive at the ruins of the resort, you can park your car near the entrance of the bottling enterprise Aigues de Cardó. Here you will find a wide dirt road that climbs into the forest. Follow it. In about 10 minutes on your left, you will find a road closed with a chain. You should follow this path. Slowly you enter the forest. About ten minutes later you will find a path on your left side that will take you to the Column Hermitage. You’ll arrive to some stairs which you’ll have to climb if you want to get a good view of the hermitage. Be careful when getting to the top because the hermitage is in ruins, so we do not recommend you to enter the chapel. The route ends here. You must undo the way to go back to the car.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

If you want to picnic, you’ll find a pleasant leisure area at the Santo Domingo Chapel in the village of Rasquera. To arrive here, you have to return to Rasquera taking the TV3021. Just before crossing the playground, you should take a road on the right that makes a strong increase (Carrer Sant Domènech). At the end of the road, you will find a picnic area with tables, grills, a playground and services. You should inform the Maier’s office (Tel. 977 409 061) if you want to use he grill.

If you prefer a good home cooked dish, go to Mas den Curto, about 16 km from Rasquera in direction to Perelló by the TV3022. Between km 6 and 7 you will find a path to he left which will take you to  Mas den Curto (3.5 km further).

More info:

Difficulty: low
Type: linear route
Duration: approx. 40 minutes (without stopping; two ways)
Distance: approx. 1.5 km
Accessibility: the first part passes trough a wide path. Once you pass the tree with he wooden block, the path is really narrow and uneven.
Recommendations: You should use good shoes and take water.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat