La Baranova

La Baranova is a historic viewpoint square in Tivissa, in the Ribera d'Ebre comarca (Tarragona province, Catalonia).

Where is it and how do you get there?

The square sits at one edge of Tivissa's old town, right in front of the parish church of Sant Jaume. It stands above the Passeig de la Roja and is fenced off by a wrought-iron railing that most likely gave the square its name. Tivissa itself lies inland, between the Ebro valley and the Montsant massif, so a car is the easiest way in — local roads connect the town with Móra d'Ebre and Falset. The square itself is inside the old quarter, so the final stretch has to be covered on foot, up narrow streets that climb toward the church.

What will you see there?

La Baranova is above all a lookout point. From its terrace, the view opens onto three regions at once — Ribera d'Ebre, Terra Alta and Priorat — with the mountain ranges of Prades, Montsant, Figuera, Picossa, Serra de Cavalls and Serra de Pàndols on the horizon. On the façade of the neighbouring church, a glazed ceramic tile survives showing two cherubs holding a scroll inscribed "PLAZA DE LA BARANOVA MCMXXVII" — the 1927 date marking when the square took its current shape. The site is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage. One historical detail worth knowing: until the mid-19th century this same spot held the parish cemetery, later relocated outside the town centre.

When should you visit?

The best time is on August weekends, when the square comes alive for "Les nits a la Baranova" — a series of music and arts evenings organised by Tivissa's town council with support from the Diputació de Tarragona and Catalonia's Department of Culture. The programme mixes concerts and dance performances with a dedicated "Nit Lírica", an opera evening that in recent editions has featured soprano Sara Blanch alongside baritone Toni Marsol and pianist Josep Buforn. The custom of gathering here in the evening — once known as "la fresca de la Baranova" — goes back to when locals danced the sardana to gramophone music, taking advantage of the cool air and the sunset views. Outside festival season, the square remains a quiet spot for a short break and a look at the landscape, especially at sunset, when the surrounding ranges take on colour.

Frequently asked questions

What is La Baranova? A historic viewpoint square in Tivissa, next to the Sant Jaume church, listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

Where does the square's name come from? From the wrought-iron railing (Catalan "barana") that separates its raised terrace from the lower Passeig de la Roja.

What can you see from the square? A panorama of three regions — Ribera d'Ebre, Terra Alta and Priorat — plus nearby mountain ranges such as Montsant and Serra de Pàndols.

When does the square's festival take place? On August weekends, during "Les nits a la Baranova", combining concerts, dance and an opera evening with local and guest performers.