About this place
El Pinetell de Barberà is a small hamlet within the municipality of Montblanc, in the Conca de Barberà district of Tarragona province, Catalonia. It sits at the foot of the Pinetell hill, along what was once the main path linking Montblanc with Barberà de la Conca, at an elevation of roughly 598 metres above sea level, inside the protected Muntanyes de Prades area.
What is the history behind El Pinetell?
Written records place the settlement as far back as the 11th century, when a boundary document referred to the "waters of Pinatel". At the time, the land fell under the jurisdiction of the castle of Barberà. In 1165, Pere de Puigverd's will transferred the tithes from this territory to the Archbishop of Tarragona. Later, in 1192, Pere de Granyena granted holdings at Pinetell to the Knights Templar; once the Templar order was dissolved, these properties passed to the Knights Hospitaller. From the early 15th century onward, residents gradually resettled in nearby Montblanc and Barberà de la Conca, and the original village was eventually abandoned. Today, almost nothing remains of the medieval settlement on the ground.
Is there a church at El Pinetell?
Yes. Geographic records list a church building at this location, dedicated to Saint Peter — Sant Pere del Pinetell. The church is one of the few tangible remnants connected to the site's long settlement history and serves as a reference point for anyone tracing the area's past.
What is there to see and do today?
El Pinetell today is mainly a destination for walkers and nature watchers rather than a populated village. The surrounding landscape combines white pine woodland with open Mediterranean grassland clearings. The climate is classified as humid Mediterranean, with an average annual temperature around 13°C and roughly 677 mm of precipitation a year — conditions that support a rich variety of plant and animal life.
Because of this habitat diversity, the area around El Pinetell has hosted a butterfly monitoring transect since 2001, as part of the Catalan Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. Over the years of recording, dozens of species have been logged here, making it one of the more interesting spots in Conca de Barberà for nature observation.
How do you get to El Pinetell?
El Pinetell lies within the municipal boundaries of Montblanc, close to the border with Barberà de la Conca, along the old track connecting the two towns. It makes a good starting point for hikes into the Muntanyes de Prades and for exploring quieter corners of Conca de Barberà, away from the district's more visited attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is El Pinetell de Barberà? It is a former village, now a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Montblanc, in the Conca de Barberà district of Tarragona province.
Are there any buildings left from the original settlement? Very little survives. The settlement is documented from the 11th century, but most inhabitants had relocated to Montblanc and Barberà de la Conca by the early 15th century.
Does El Pinetell have a church? Yes, the church of Sant Pere del Pinetell stands at the site.
What can visitors do around El Pinetell? The area is suited to hiking and nature observation, with white pine forest and a long-running butterfly monitoring programme.
How high above sea level is El Pinetell? It sits at approximately 598 metres, within the Muntanyes de Prades range.
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