El Rourell Explained

El Rourell
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Spain Catalonia
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Catalonia
Coordinates:41.2253°N 1.2189°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Spain
Subdivision Type1:Community
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2: Tarragona
Subdivision Type3:Comarca
Subdivision Name3:Alt Camp
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Maria del Carme Basora Ventura (2015)[1]
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Km2:2.3
Population Density Km2:auto

El Rourell (in Catalan; Valencian pronounced as /əl ˌrowˈɾeʎ/) is a municipality situated in the comarca of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain. The name "El Rourell" is derived from the Rourell oak tree, which is prominently featured in the municipality's coat of arms.

Originally part of the larger estate of Quince, El Rourell came under the ownership of the Molnells family between 1150 and 1158, through a grant by Ramon Berenguer IV and Archbishop Bernard of Tort. Berenguer Molnells later joined the Order of the Templars, whose influence in El Rourell was significant. This led to the establishment of the Order of Rourell, which operated under the authority of the Barony of Barberà. After the Templars were disbanded, the lands of El Rourell passed to the Bishopric of Tarragona. Subsequently, rights over El Rourell were held by the Plegamans and the Marquis of Vallgornera, who were major landowners in the region. Even until recent years, El Rourell retained notable aspects of its feudal past.

External links

Notes and References

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