Places of interest include the church of Santa Maria. This is a well-preserved building from the Romanesque period. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, following the arrival of Berenguer IV's Christian troops in 1154. At that time Siurana was a bastion defending the Islamic frontier and was in fact the last Muslim stronghold in Catalonia, conquered between 1153 and 1154. The church is a fine example of beauty combined with simplicity on a floor plan with a single nave and a semicircular apse. Its doorway features a carved tympanum framed in three round arches resting on columns with capitals decorated with a range of motifs.

Siurana also conserves remains of the Arab castle, a military establishment or “hisn” built around the 9th century as a centre to control the territory. It was part of a large area under Muslim domination, and this strategically-placed fortification guarded the way into the village. Currently visible are the results of a first phase of renovation, which has left its boundaries clearly visible, together with the defensive towers and other features. The conquest of this castle by Ramon Berenguer IV was planned before those of Tortosa and Lleida, but was not achieved until 1153 or 1154. Following its fall, it passed into the hands of Bertran de Castellet and then Albert de Castellvell. It served as a dowry for Catalan queens, to guarantee pacts and loans and even as a prison for people of some importance.

The Salt de la Reina Mora, or Moorish Queen's Leap, is a section of cliff which is named for the legend of Abdelazia, daughter of the Wali of Siurana, who when the Christian troops broke in preferred to cast herself off the cliff into the abyss on her horse rather than fall into enemy hands. When the horse saw the dizzying cliff it tried to stop, but its momentum carried it over the edge. Today, just by the edge of the cliff you can see the deep mark made by the animal's horseshoe in the rock itself as it tried to stop.

Siurana offers some stunning views from the rock known as La Trona and the climbing routes in this area are world-famous.

Walkers are recommended to try the old path up to Siurana from Cornudella de Montsant, recently restored as part of the Priorat footpath network.
 

Guided tours of the historic site of Siurana

Further information and bookings:

Còdol Educació: (+34) 977 327 362
Cornudella tourist office: (+34) 977 821 000
visites@turismesiurana.org
www.turismesiurana.org