09 - BORDER LANDS AT MONTMELL

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A Romanesque temple with Lombard influence, standing at about 781 metres above sea level, with a central nave and a smaller one. The church of Sant Miquel is notable for its semicircular apse, restored on the outside but perfectly preserved on the inside. Built on the rocks and dedicated to Saint Michael.

Located near La Juncosa de Montmell, the castle, documented since the 10th century, is medieval. Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest, the castle is in poor condition, with few remains, but has magnificent views of the Costa Daurada.

Standing on top of a hill above the abandoned village of the same name, Selma Castle, or what is left of it, is in ruins, although three well-defined areas are still visible: a tower, a hall and a lower enclosure. Of the square tower, only half remains standing.

Description

The Serra de Montmell is a fairly unknown mountain today, in the north of the Baix Penedès. Yet it was a very important border territory, as its castle shows, which is recorded before the 11th century. Set in a place of difficult terrain, perched on what is known as the "tooth" of the mountain, it was more a lookout post than a fortress able to shelter many soldiers, at little more than 300 m2. At its foot the church of Sant Miquel de Montmell was built, along with a small hamlet of 10 houses, which was abandoned in the mid-20th century.

On this morning route you set out from the Montmell forest recreation area and head resolutely up the mountain, stopping at the old church of Sant Miquel to catch your breath and prepare for the climb to the castle along the path that leads there. From its ruins you continue upwards along the ridge, enjoying the views, to the highest point (861 m), the Talaia (or Dent) del Montmell. Once at the foot of the mountain again, you return by an easier, flatter track, the old Torrossolla drove road, a path used by flocks to go from winter to summer pastures.

For the more adventurous and fitter, this hike can be extended to fill the whole day, reaching the abandoned village of Selma, crowned by its castle, which has fallen into oblivion despite having been an economic hub just 100 years ago, with a doctor, blacksmith, tailor, vet and a single teacher for 66 children.