Blancafort, Tarragona Explained

Blancafort
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Spain Catalonia
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Catalonia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Spain
Subdivision Type1:Autonomous community
Subdivision Name1: Catalonia
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2: Tarragona
Subdivision Type3:Comarca
Subdivision Name3: Conca de Barberà
Seat Type:(political)
Coordinates:41.44°N 1.1606°W
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:14.5
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:CET
Utc Offset:+1
Timezone Dst:CEST
Utc Offset Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Leader Title:mayor
Leader Name:Magí Baltà Ventura (2015)[2]

Blancafort (in Catalan; Valencian pronounced as /ˌblaŋkəˈfɔɾ/) is a municipality in the province of Tarragona and the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain.

History

Blancafort was first mentioned in 1207 census documents in which a castle in the name of Pere Romeu y de Fitor Arnau was noted. Blancafort was part of the Dukedom of Montblanc. It was fortified in the fourteenth century. During the War of Succession it declared itself in favor of the Archduke Charles so it was attacked by Philip V's troops. After the war, it was integrated into the township of Tarragona. During the War of Independence it was looted by troops commanded by the French General, Louis Gabriel Suchet.

Culture

The parish church is dedicated to Saint Magdalene and was built on the remains of the ancient Roman temple. It is of ample proportions and of a late Baroque style. It consists of a single nave and a barrel vault cover. The façade is neoclassical. In the old cemetery attached to the temple there is an outstanding collection of preserved tombstones which are today on display in the Diocesan Museum of Tarragona.

The town retains many houses built in the late eighteenth century. Among them is the Can Minguella, better known as the Can Cavaller, from the seventeenth century. The façade shows the family coat of arms. Nothing remains of the old castle except a topographical reference in the street name del Castell.

Blancafort's main festival takes place on the fourth Sunday of August, although for the entire month of August there are activities for people of different ages. Since 1483, there is also a tradition of walking up to the Sanctuary of Tallat, also done during the month of August.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El municipi en xifres: Blancafort. Statistical Institute of Catalonia. 2015-11-23.
  2. Web site: Ajuntament de Blancafort. Generalitat of Catalonia. 2015-11-13.