Influence, money and knowledge allowed the Girona family to gather more than a thousand hectares of rainfed cereals, provide them with irrigation and give them added value by planting quality vines. Over the years an important wine colony was formed, with its own castle and sanctuary, which at the beginning of the 20th century already had a great export capacity.
Currently the estate belongs to the Cusiné family that produces high-quality wines with the Costers del Segre designation of origin. The winery is part of the Association of the Lleida Wine Route and can be visited.
The Mont-rebei gorge connects the regions of Pallars Jussà and La Noguera by a horse path dug into the rock of Montsec d'Ares, the border of Catalonia. On the other side, in Aragon, we have a vertical wall where Montsec de l'Estall begins. And in the middle, the author of the work, the Noguera Ribagorçana river slowed down by the dam of Canelles.
Camí de ferradura
Itinerary from Pertusa to the Sant Jaume ravine
The route, of about 7 kilometers from the hermitage of Pertusa de Corçà to the Hanging Bridge of the Sant Jaume ravine near Pont de Montanyana, is the most well-known and traveled in the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida. You will not be disappointed, the panoramic views of the Canelles reservoir, the part of the path dug into the rock, the limestone walls of Montsec, the birds of prey, the Colomera cave and the suspension bridge make it an exceptional itinerary.
It is necessary to avoid the hottest days and be well supplied with water, even though there are a couple of springs, as the Lleida sun will not have mercy on us.
Suspension bridge that connects Catalonia and Aragon
Itinerary from Montfalcó to Masieta
A few years ago, the Aragonese government built a metallic suspension bridge over the Noguera Ribagorzana and wooden stairs in a zigzag pattern on the rock of Montsec de Estall, which connect Aragon with Catalonia and they open up new possible routes for us.
The stairs, which allow us to overcome 50 meters of unevenness, are the most spectacular part of this new itinerary.
In this case from La Masieta to the Montfalco refuge, between the round trip there are about 17 kilometers that can be done in less than 5 hours.
Stairs embedded in the rock on the Aragon side
Where do we start?
We can begin our itinerary in the Masieta, at the Montañana Bridge; in Pertusa, in the Àger Valley; and in Montfalcó, in Aragón.
If we expect a lot of traffic, it is better to start from Montfalcó, where there is a large and free parking lot. The Pertusa car park has capacity for about 50 cars and is also free. The Masieta parking is paid and serves as an access regulator to the gorge as it allows us to reach the gorge without too much effort.
We include some of the possible routes and times starting in La Masieta, in all cases only one way:
Masieta - Montfalcó: 8.5 km - 2.2 hours.
Masieta - Siegué Suspension Bridge: 5 km - 1.5 hours.
Masieta - Pertusa: 10 km - 2.5 hours.
Canelles reservoir
Mont-rebei by Noguera Ribagorçana
There is also the possibility of exploring the gorge by kayak or boat through the calm waters of the Canelles reservoir, where we will see the spectacular walls that rise above us.
"We will set fire to the Faro and we will draw in the darkness of the mountain the path of fire that will guide us to run throughout the town until we will all light a bonfire that will give way to the dance night."
This fragment, translated from the original in Catalan, extracted from the festival program d'Erill la Vall, located in the Boí Valley, explains very well what the Fallas of the Pyrenees are.
The Faro is a pine tree that is planted in a high place, visible from the town in question, to which a fire is set to ignite all the Fallas.
The Fallas are pieces of pine wood attached with wire to a straight ash branch.
All the Fallaires descend from the Faro to the town drawing figures of fire in the night and screaming like possessed, then they walk the streets streets of the town, embers falling everywhere, to end up piling up what remains of the Fallas and forming a great bonfire that begins the town's festivities.
The show, of great visual beauty and in many cases not too crowded, can be found in many towns in the Lleida Pyrenees during the months of June and July.
The Fallas of the Pyrenees are intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
At Les Avellanes Monastery, we can have a spiritual retreat, living together with the Marist brothers, or simply stay in one of their austere yet well-equipped double rooms.
In the cloister restaurant, which follows European schedules, we can taste dishes typical of the Noguera region, made with local products, as well as the monastery's wine and honey.
The well-maintained and organized space, located by the roadside but away from crowds, invites us to tranquility.
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Open Doors
The monastery was founded during the Reconquista as a cultural identity element to consolidate the territory. Currently, the 17th-century door located at the entrance symbolizes that the monastery is open to everybody.
Three Unique Trees
These three 400-year-old hackberry symbolize that in the monastery, food and drink are provided, and accommodation is available.
The monastery cloister
The cloister is the structuring element of the monastery. To the east, where the first light of the day arrives, you can find the apse and the dormitories. To the south, there are the spaces that require light throughout the day, such as the library and the dining hall. To the west, there is the kitchen where we want there to be light in the evening. Finally, to the north, there are the storerooms where we want to keep things cool.
Its gothic church
The restaurant
The monastery kitchen has been converted into a restaurant.
The vineyards
The monastery produces wine with the Costers del Segre denomination of origin with the help of the Cooperativa de Artesa de Segre.
Multipurpose spaces
The monastery has different spaces that can be used to carry out any type of activity, from oil tasting to company meetings.
"Gar Gar" is the sound made by the Great Bustard, an endangered steppe bird, and it is the name chosen for the mural festival in Penelles.
The GarGar festival has turned Penelles into a national reference for Street Art. Three days a year, the festival fills the walls of the town with murals created by graffiti artists from all over the world.
Without a doubt, the town is worthy of a visit!
Scaf & Abys - 2019Draw & Contra - 2017Jorge Gerada - 2018'Alicia en el país de las maravillas' - 2017
The Gar Gar is a low-key festival where people stroll peacefully, admiring existing murals and those in the process of creation, with some creativity-related workshops designed for families, and relaxing music setting the atmosphere while enjoying the day with friends.
