The best walks and hikes around El Morell

A nice trail that also allows us to learn a bit of history about how water was brought to La Selva del Camp in the past.

Good ramps with good pavement. It climbs well and is worth it.

The Rovellat or Més Avall mill must be related to a series of hydraulic mills that took advantage of the same water drop from the Riera de la Selva. There were nine mills that worked with the same water, which was going to end up in the town of Selva del Camp. The mill was used for many centuries. This is indicated by the agreements and acts of sale, such as the one of 1653, where reference is made to the sale of the mills of Mig and Més Avall, owned by the common, located on the Sant Pere road.

The channelization of the waters is a work that cannot be dated exactly, but throughout the 13th century there are many documented references. La Resclosa collects water from the Riera, and through the Dry Bridge it is led to the town’s Rec. Above the parabolic stone bridge you can see the remains of the cacao mill from the Pont or Porta mill, which in 1285 belonged to Joan Mulné.

The Romanesque church The current church of Sant Andreu was built on top of a Romanesque church that was in the same place. Although the first reference places it in the 12th century, the original trace is not known. It had smaller dimensions and was also dedicated to Sant Andreu. Beyond its walls, there was a moat on the southern facade, which was the first cemetery of La Selva. Right in front of the church there was a porch where the General Councils of the town and, on occasion, those of the Comuna del Camp met. The Renaissance church The current church of Sant Andreu dates from the end of the 16th century and was designed by Pere Blai (1553-1621). It is one of the few works of the Mannerist Renaissance in Catalonia and is distinguished by its rectangular plan, the lateral chapels communicating with each other and the height inspired by the proportions of Vitruvius Man. The dome on a drum, one of the most innovative architectural features of the building, help to distinguish the church on the horizon.

Until well into the 20th century, in most squares or courtyards in the municipality there were public fountains to supply the population with running water. But before the 16th century there had only been one public fountain in the whole town, that of the Castle. That is why, in 1519, by decision of the Comú de la Selva, another one was built, the Font Nova or de Mitja Vila. Initially, the Font de Mitja Vila received water from "the water lily of the Calsinada courtyard", but from 1665 it was decided to bring it from the Rec de la Vila, as it was considered cleaner. Later, new fountains were built in most of the courtyards of the old town along the main street: in Plaça de l’Hospitalet, Plaça Major, Portal d’Avall or Portal de Mates; nowadays most of them have disappeared. In the decade of 1950, the repair of the source was carried out, due to the poor state of conservation. It was then that he took the opportunity to move it inside and create a square in front. It was also at this time when the old Chapel of the Angels was demolished.

The new Agrarian Defense In 1977, with the conquest of democratic freedoms, the former partners of the Agrarian Defense wanted to recover the building. After some discussions, an agreement was reached that both entities could use the building. In 1978, a new Agrarian Defense was set up that would promote theater and the sardana from the values of cultural Catalanism, but also the defense of the peasantry and republican values from political Catalanism.

The Agrarian Defense was born in 1925 as opposition to local power. Republicanism and Catalanism converged in it until the start of the Franco dictatorship. After the confiscation, in 1939, the building was abandoned and in 1952 the parish founded Casal Selvatà. In 1978 the former members were able to recover the organization and shared space with the members of Casal. An ideal place to have a bite or a beer inside or outside on its large terrace.