The find is much more than ashes and burnt stones. It speaks directly to us about how that human group organized itself, fed itself, and adapted to a changing environment thousands of years ago.

The Molí del Salt site: a treasure in the Conca de Barberà

Recent excavations and key discoveries

The excavations carried out between May 11 and June 5, 2026, focused on level B2, an archaeological layer that began to be investigated in 2019. Here, remains of hearths used about 15,000 years ago were documented, marking one of the most relevant results of the campaign.

Archaeologists, with tools and patience, have precisely identified these hearths, which reveal essential details about the daily life of human groups of that era.

Historical and geographical context of the site

Molí del Salt is located in Vimbodí i Poblet, within the Conca de Barberà, a key area for understanding human evolution in the Upper Paleolithic. This region, the Francolí basin, has been the scene of recurrent human occupations, and the discoveries shed light on how life was before domestication and agriculture.

The site has made it possible to identify layers showing continuous or recurrent occupations, indicating that the area was favorable for hunter-gatherers.

The hearth remains: what do they tell us about hunter-gatherers?

The role of hearths in daily life

Hearths are not only fires for warming or cooking; they are social centers. Archaeologists emphasize that these remains provide clear evidence of daily activities, from food preparation to social interaction among group members.

Imagine the smoke, the heat, and the conversation surrounding that fire 15,000 years ago. This find makes tangible a human experience that seemed distant and abstract.

Technical and archaeological details of the remains

The hearths are found in a well-defined archaeological level, with associated materials that confirm their antiquity and use. Their preservation has allowed the study of the composition of ashes and plant remains, revealing which fuels were used.

Moreover, this information helps establish patterns of occupation and mobility of the groups, indicating how they adapted to the environment and managed natural resources.

The archaeological campaign and the future of the site

Dates and responsible team

The intervention took place between May 11 and June 5, 2026, with a team of specialized archaeologists working to decipher the secrets hidden in level B2.

The excavations are part of an ongoing project that began in 2019, which hopes to continue providing relevant data about the Upper Paleolithic in the area.

Projections and importance for the region

The data obtained interest not only experts but also enrich the cultural heritage of the Conca de Barberà and Tarragona. This discovery may attract researchers and tourists interested in the most remote human history.

It is clear that Molí del Salt is much more than a site: it is a window to the past that still has much to tell.

The find at Molí del Salt demonstrates that even 15,000 years ago, fire was already the center of human life, with uses that remain essential to us today. These remains are a direct testimony connecting us with those who trod the Conca de Barberà long before us.

Source of the article: Editorial | ACN

The Tarragona Provincial Council has granted this subsidy within the 2026 E-catalog call, aimed at cultural programming of local entities. The funding covers part of the expense in Montblanc and the districts of Prenafeta, Lilla, Rojals, La Guàrdia dels Prats, and El Pinatell, according to official sources.

Details of the subsidy and allocation of funds

Amount and source of funding

The 14,651.65 euros come from the Tarragona Provincial Council, which promotes the E-catalog to help municipalities maintain cultural programming. This 2026 call aims to support festive and cultural activities throughout the province.

Areas and activities benefited in Montblanc and districts

The subsidy serves to cover part of the expenses of the major festivals and cultural activities in the mentioned districts, but also includes other events in Montblanc’s cultural agenda for the current year.

Implications for the districts and the town

Impact on the small districts

The localities of Prenafeta, Lilla, Rojals, La Guàrdia dels Prats, and El Pinatell receive a boost that keeps their festivals alive. Without this aid, organizing would be even more complicated, especially in times of municipal savings.

Cultural agenda and major festivals of Montblanc

Montblanc must manage the budget for a cultural agenda that meets local and tourist expectations. The 14,651 euros are not enough for everything, but they provide some relief for part of the programming.

Context and future of the E-catalog in Tarragona

Role of the Provincial Council’s E-catalog

The E-catalog is an instrument that prioritizes hiring cultural performances for local entities in the province, facilitating financial resources to maintain cultural activity. The 2026 call follows this line.

Local reactions and expectations

Although the subsidy is received with gratitude, many neighbors and organizers wonder if the amount is enough to guarantee the quality and continuity of cultural activities, especially in the smaller districts.

A subsidy that helps but also highlights municipalities’ dependence on external resources to create culture.

Source of the article: Montblanc City Council

It will take place on Sunday, May 24th at 11 a.m., led by the Montblanc Guides, a group that is not satisfied with just a simple tourist route and which is repeating this proposal after last year’s success, according to information from the Montblanc Town Hall.

A unique tour with multiple local voices

The concept of "From guide to guide, discover the town"

The formula is not the typical walk. It is a guided tour made up of small explanatory segments, where different local guides take turns to offer unique details and stories about Montblanc. Each stop is a little surprise, a window into the history and daily life of the town.

This initiative was born last year on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the guides’ association, and the public response was so positive that they decided to repeat it.

Key points and the route format

The tour will start promptly at Pont Vell, an emblematic place that already sets the stage for a route full of curiosities.

There will be a single session, for which places are limited and the only way to ensure access is to register in advance at the Montblanc Tourist Office. The cost is symbolic: just 3 euros.

Who participates and how to sign up

The local guides, the protagonists

The Montblanc Guides are experts in their territory and its history. The uniqueness lies in the fact that it is not a single guide, but a team offering different perspectives and anecdotes that you won’t find in a conventional tour.

This diversity makes each explanation fresh and keeps the group’s interest alive.

Registrations and practical recommendations

Places can only be reserved at the Montblanc Tourist Office, a measure aimed at ensuring the quality of the route and a number of participants that allows enjoying it without crowds.

Start preparing for Sunday, May 24th at 11 a.m., and remember that the meeting point is at Pont Vell.

Context and impact of the initiative

The cultural and tourist value of Montblanc

Montblanc is the capital of the Conca de Barberà region and stands out for its monumental heritage. This unique tour helps to enhance and give visibility to these assets, placing them in the words of local experts.

Additionally, the proposal helps to boost cultural tourism and attract visitors looking for more authentic experiences.

Repeating and future of the proposal

After the first edition, this second call shows that the format works and that there is an audience interested in different and participatory content.

Everything points to future editions possibly incorporating new elements, expanding the routes or collaborating with other local agents.

The reality is that Montblanc does not want to be just a beautiful town: it wants to tell its own story, with many guides and many voices.

Source of the article: Montblanc Town Hall

The 39th edition of this festival has attracted more than 8,000 people, according to official data from the Montblanc Tourist Office, which managed thousands of inquiries during the four days of activity.

A tourism boost that does not fully solve transport stress

The number of visitors and inquiries explodes

The Tourist Office has recorded 2,422 inquiries, slightly more than the previous year, with peaks of more than 500 daily inquiries on the busiest days. Thursday, April 23, Sant Jordi’s Day, even surpassed the usual number of inquiries during Easter, becoming the fifth busiest tourist day of the year in the town.

Persistent deficits: public transport

Recurring questions about how to get to the festival by public transport remain a reminder of the structural problem Montblanc faces. The service is deficient year-round, but on significant dates like this, thousands of people have no option to come without a car. A medieval festival with a very modern problem.

The medieval heartbeat in every corner

Streets and squares that reclaim old life

The streets and squares have once again buzzed with activities, shows, and the atmosphere that only a town with history can offer. The program combined tradition and novelty, with the debut of the Colloquia Draconis cycle, linked to a European cultural route certified by the Council of Europe.

Information points, the nerve center of tourism

The Tourist Office has coordinated the information points at the old modernist cellar and the tower of Sant Francesc, facilitating access to the wall and providing personalized attention. At the same time, the Medieval Association of the Legend of Sant Jordi had its information point at Sant Miquel Square, where thousands of visitors were assisted.

Visitors, occupancy, and the impact of the festival

The profile of visitors and loyalty to the festival

More than 90% of attendees are Catalan, mostly from Barcelona and the metropolitan area, with significant presence from Camp de Tarragona and the Lands of Lleida. Most are families and groups of friends who return year after year, although there are also new visitors discovering the festival for the first time.

Full accommodation occupancy does not prevent short getaways

The housing deficit in the region causes many visitors to opt for day trips. Nevertheless, hotels, Respira Montblanc accommodations, and the Montblanc Park campsite have nearly reached full occupancy, demonstrating the municipality’s attraction capacity during the Medieval Week.

The joint Instagram campaign has helped increase the festival’s and Tourist Office’s follower community, boosting their visibility and interaction with a younger, more digital audience.

Montblanc confirms itself, once again, as the essential seat of medieval culture in the Principality, although some details like public transport continue to be a headache for organizers and visitors.

Source of the article: Montblanc City Council

The support is aimed at students enrolled in educational centers in Montblanc who live in these rural areas, with the goal of facilitating daily travel to school. Applications can be submitted in person or online, according to the official guidelines.

Requirements and deadlines to apply for the subsidies

Who can apply?

The subsidies are intended for students registered in the hamlets of Prenafeta, Rojals, el Pinetell, and scattered areas within the Montblanc municipal area. These are students attending educational centers in the same city.

Deadline and submission method

Applications can be submitted until May 8. In-person processing is allowed at the Citizen Service Office, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It can also be done electronically through the official electronic registry accessible from Montblanc’s website.

Documentation and administrative procedures

Documents to submit

Applicants must provide documentation proving residence, school enrollment, and other specific requirements detailed in the official form. Failure to submit all required paperwork can disqualify any application.

Where to find more information?

All information and necessary documents are available on the Montblanc Town Hall website, where a direct link is also provided to submit applications electronically.

Impact and local reactions

Why are these subsidies necessary?

The hamlets and scattered areas suffer from a lack of regular public transportation, which complicates student access to educational centers. These subsidies seek to alleviate this barrier and prevent education from depending solely on distance or family mobility.

Response from families and the territory

The affected families view this initiative positively, although some criticize that the deadline to submit applications is so short. The need for support is clear, but bureaucracy often does not keep pace with rural life.

If you’re not someone who lives right in the village, but neither in the city, this news surely concerns you more than you’d like.

Source of the article: Montblanc Town Hall

The cycle, organized by the Rovira i Virgili University, the Montblanc City Council, and the Medieval Association of the Legend of Saint George, took place between April 20 and 21, linking the legend with history through a European cultural route.

The inaugural session and its protagonists

An event with key figures from the area

On Monday, April 20, at the old Santa Magdalena hospital, the inaugural event of the cycle took place. The mayor Marc Vinya, the president of the Medieval Association Maties Martí, and two vice-rectors of the URV, Jordi Diloli and Juan Antonio Duro, spoke.

The speeches emphasized institutional collaboration to create the cultural route endorsed by the Council of Europe and the development of this colloquium project.

Colloquia Draconis: a unique opportunity

The first colloquium, moderated by Natàlia Moruno, coordinator of the cycle and professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Geography of the URV, went deeper into what it means to be part of this European cultural route.

Experts such as Dr. Jordi Tresserras, advisor of the European route of Saint George and the dragon, and dean Òscar Saladié explained the opportunities that open up for Montblanc, the Medieval Week, and the cultural projection of the country.

The dialogue on medieval literature

Presentation of the book that recovers the tradition

On April 21, at the Regional Museum, the book Fra Bernat and other medieval tales to laugh at was presented, in collaboration with Òmnium Cultural Conca de Barberà.

Àlex Rebollo, historian at the University of Barcelona, and Sadurní Martí, translator and professor at the University of Girona, discussed this collection offering a fresh look at Catalan medieval literature.

Translation and cultural value

The book, which collects four of the nearly fifty medieval tales in Catalan that have been preserved, was presented as a bridge between past and present, a tool to bring this era closer to today’s audience.

The dialogue highlighted the cultural richness of an era and its people, turning the work into an ideal gift for Saint George’s Day.

Future perspectives for Montblanc and the Medieval Week

Consolidated academic and cultural drive

The organization’s feeling is clearly positive. Colloquia Draconis has achieved the goal of initiating an academic aspect and knowledge transfer within the Medieval Week.

Thus, the ground is prepared for future editions with deeper and more attractive content.

The focus on the 2027 edition

The year 2027 will center on the figure of James II, coinciding with the 700th anniversary of his death.

Experts such as Flocel Sabaté, Manuel Forcano, and Jaume Felip have already confirmed their participation, guaranteeing a new edition of great academic and cultural level.

Montblanc not only aspires to keep its history alive but to turn it into a first-rate European cultural platform.

Colloquia Draconis has already begun its route, and it seems it has no intention of stopping.

Source of the article: Montblanc City Council

On April 16 and 17, 2026, Molins de Rei, in Baix Llobregat, hosted the 30th edition of the Technical Conferences of the Tourist Offices of Catalonia, organized by the Directorate General of Tourism.

A historic presence at the technical conferences

26 years without missing the event

Since its creation in 2000, the Montblanc Tourist Office has been continuously present at the conferences. This edition marked the twenty-sixth consecutive participation, a record that few can boast.

On several occasions, the Montblanc representation has had a prominent role, which strengthens its influence within the Catalan tourism sector.

The weight of Montblanc in the Catalan tourism sector

Montblanc not only attends out of commitment, but also takes advantage of the occasion to position itself as a benchmark in cultural and heritage tourism. This consistency brings visibility and opportunities to the municipality.

The fact that its Tourist Office has always been present indicates that the town has more tourist life than it seems from the outside.

The setting and the program of the conferences in Molins de Rei

Much more than a professional meeting

The conferences are not limited to lectures. The program combines visits to Molins de Rei, discovery of its attractions, and a tourism management model focused on heritage.

Baix Llobregat, as the host county, shows an example of how culture can be a driver of tourism, an idea that Montblanc embraces.

The Year of Cultural Tourism in the front row

This year, the focus was the Year of Cultural Tourism, with several technical presentations addressing challenges and opportunities in the sector. Montblanc, with its medieval heritage, fits perfectly into this dynamic.

The shared information and generated debate serve to adjust strategies and keep Montblanc attractive to visitors.

Organization and impact of the meeting

Key institutional collaboration

The Directorate General of Tourism, together with the Molins de Rei City Council, organizes the conferences year after year. This alliance consolidates the meeting as a reference point in the sector.

The local involvement ensures that each edition has its own touch, which makes attendees not get tired of repeating it.

A boost for the tourist offices

The conferences allow evaluation and sharing of best practices among tourist offices throughout Catalonia. Montblanc takes advantage to update itself and learn what is happening with the competition.

Furthermore, it serves to create networks and establish collaborations that directly benefit local tourism.

An event that Montblanc cannot afford to miss, and it will continue that way.

Cultural tourism is more than a trend: it is Montblanc’s calling card to the world. And the conferences, the platform not to miss the train.

Source of the article: Montblanc City Council

La 39a Setmana Medieval de Sant Jordi, la més antiga de Catalunya, atrau visitants que omplen els carrers i hotels, segons dades i reserves recollides per l’Oficina de Turisme i Respira Montblanc.

Activitat turística durant la Setmana Medieval

La festa que no para de créixer

Montblanc viu un dels moments més intensos de l'any amb la celebració de la Setmana Medieval, que enguany arriba a la seva 39a edició. Els carrers es transformen en un escenari viu on la història pren protagonisme i els visitants es multipliquen.

Les dades de l’Oficina de Turisme mostren una tendència clara: l'afluència de turistes augmenta any rere any, reforçada per les reserves ja confirmades als allotjaments locals i l'activitat a les xarxes socials de la Associació Medieval de la Llegenda de Sant Jordi.

Horaris i serveis turístics especials

Durant els caps de setmana de la Setmana Medieval, l’Oficina de Turisme mantindrà el seu horari habitual i reforçarà la informació des del punt coordinat per l’Associació Medieval a la plaça de Sant Miquel.

Les visites guiades queden suspeses, però hi haurà accés excepcional a les torres de la muralla i el pas de ronda, de 11 del matí a 7 de la tarda, una oportunitat única per veure Montblanc des d’una altra perspectiva.

Propostes i activitats destacades

La representació de la llegenda de Sant Jordi

El moment àlgid serà la representació teatral de la llegenda, que tindrà lloc el dissabte 18 a les 9 del vespre. L’activitat inclou un sorteig especial a Instagram que premia amb entrades dobles i un passeig pels escenaris minuts abans de començar, a més de la possibilitat de fer-se fotos amb els protagonistes.

Com gaudir sense perdre's res

La Setmana Medieval no només és teatre: els carrers s’omplen d’activitats, mercats i ambientació que transporten a l’edat mitjana. Els visitants poden recórrer el nucli antic i assaborir la combinació de cultura, història i oci que ofereix Montblanc durant aquests dies.

Estadístiques, tendències i projeccions turístiques

Dades i prediccions per a aquest any

Les xifres del primer trimestre indiquen un augment en el nombre de turistes respecte a anys anteriors, reforçat per la demanda i les reserves als establiments locals. Aquesta tendència augura una Setmana Medieval amb xifres rècord de visitants.

Col·laboració entre entitats locals

L’Oficina de Turisme i l’Associació Medieval treballen conjuntament per optimitzar l’atenció als visitants, coordinant informació i activitats que enriqueixen l’experiència dels qui s’apropen a Montblanc aquests dies.

Si encara no tens plans per a Sant Jordi, Montblanc et posa la feina fàcil.

Font de l'article: Ajuntament de Montblanc

La llegenda de Sant Jordi a Montblanc

La llegenda que envolta Sant Jordi no només és un conte de dracs i cavallers, sinó que a Montblanc pren un to especial. Aquesta vila medieval reivindica ser el lloc on el drac va ser vençut, un fet que marca l'origen de la festa local.

Segons la tradició, el drac amenaçava la població fins que Sant Jordi va arribar per salvar la princesa i derrotar la bèstia. A Montblanc, aquesta història es viu amb una passió que es reflecteix en cada detall durant les celebracions.

Importància cultural de Sant Jordi a Montblanc

A Montblanc, Sant Jordi no és només un dia per regalar roses i llibres. És una festivitat que uneix generacions i manté viva l'essència medieval de la vila. L'ambient de festa fa que veïns i visitants comparteixin tradicions, música i cultura popular.

La festa també serveix per potenciar el turisme i fer que Montblanc es posiciona com un punt de referència a la comarca de la Conca de Barberà.

Festes i activitats durant Sant Jordi a Montblanc

Setmana Medieval de Montblanc: el cor de la celebració

La Setmana Medieval és l'eix central de les festes de Sant Jordi a Montblanc. Durant diversos dies, la vila es transforma en un escenari viu on els carrers es vesteixen d'època, amb mercats, tornejos i cercaviles.

Els participants van disfressats de cavallers, dames i artesans, recreant l'ambient d'una ciutat medieval real. Aquesta festa atrau milers de visitants cada any, consolidant-se com una de les més importants de Catalunya.

Mercats, espectacles i activitats familiars

A més de la Setmana Medieval, durant Sant Jordi es programen mercats artesanals amb productes típics, espectacles de carrer, tallers per a nens i activitats per a tota la família. Aquestes propostes fan que la festa sigui accessible i atractiva per a tothom.

No hi falten els punts de venda de roses fresques i llibres, que mantenen la tradició intacta.

Consells per gaudir al màxim de Sant Jordi a Montblanc

• Arriba d'hora per evitar aglomeracions als punts més cèntrics.
• Porteu calçat còmode per recórrer els carrers empedrats.
• No us perdeu les representacions històriques que expliquen la llegenda.
• Reserveu allotjament amb antelació, ja que la demanda és alta.

On allotjar-se a Montblanc durant Sant Jordi

Hotels destacats i característiques

Montblanc ofereix diversos hotels amb encant que combinen comoditat i proximitat als principals escenaris de la festa. Alguns destaquen per la seva ubicació al centre històric, altres per serveis com piscina o spa.

Exemples d'hotels recomanats inclouen l'Hotel Rural La Palma, amb ambient acollidor, i l'Hotel Cal Riberer, ideal per als amants de l'arquitectura tradicional.

Hostals i cases rurals: alternatives amb encant

Per qui prefereix una experiència més autèntica, els hostals i cases rurals són una opció excel·lent. Sovint situats a les afores de Montblanc, permeten gaudir de la natura i la tranquil·litat després d'un dia intens de festa.

Aquests allotjaments destaquen per la seva atenció personalitzada i preus més assequibles.

Apartaments i lloguers vacacionals

Si vols més independència, els apartaments i lloguers vacacionals ofereixen espais equipats per a famílies o grups d'amics. Aquesta opció és perfecta per a estades més llargues o per qui prefereix cuinar i organitzar-se al seu ritme.

Plataformes com Airbnb i Booking permeten reservar amb facilitat i garantir una bona relació qualitat-preu.

Planifica la teva visita: informació pràctica i recomanacions

Quan visitar Montblanc per Sant Jordi i la Setmana Medieval

La festa de Sant Jordi se celebra el 23 d'abril, però la Setmana Medieval s'organitza durant els dies previs i posteriors, generalment entre la tercera i quarta setmana d'abril. Per aprofitar l'ambient complet, és recomanable planificar la visita durant tota la setmana.

Com arribar i moure’s per Montblanc

Montblanc està ben comunicat per carretera, amb accés a l'AP-2 i la C-14. També disposa d'estació de tren amb connexions regionals. Un cop a la vila, el millor és caminar per recórrer el centre històric, ja que els carrers estrets no faciliten el trànsit de vehicles.

Restaurants i gastronomia local per completar l’experiència

La gastronomia de Montblanc és un altre atractiu que no es pot deixar passar. Restaurants locals ofereixen plats de la cuina tradicional catalana, com els cargols a la llauna, el conill amb all i oli o la fideuà.

També es poden tastar vins de la DO Conca de Barberà, perfectes per maridar els àpats durant la festa.

Per gaudir de totes aquestes experiències sense complicacions, no oblidis reservar amb antelació tant l'allotjament com els restaurants.