Mare de Déu dels Torrents

Mare de Déu dels Torrents is a small hermitage in the municipality of Vimbodí i Poblet, in the Conca de Barberà region of Catalonia. The modest, single-nave building stands along the road connecting the village of Vimbodí with the Poblet monastery, surrounded by fields and the stream that gave the site its name.

How do you get there?

The hermitage sits roughly one kilometer from the center of Vimbodí and about three kilometers from the Poblet monastery, right beside the road linking the two. It's an easy stop for anyone driving or cycling between the village and the monastery — the route is flat and well marked, and the building is visible from the road itself. For those on foot, it makes a short, quiet outing that pairs naturally with a visit to Poblet.

What's the history behind it?

The hermitage was founded in 1484 by Juan Payo Coello, abbot of the Poblet monastery — two coats of arms honoring the founder are still visible on the façade. According to local legend, an image of the Virgin was found among the reeds of the torrent d'en Guiot that runs through the site, an event that marked the beginning of devotion at this spot.

In 1714 the building underwent a Baroque remodeling, carried out by Magí Alandó, a clergyman and pharmacist at the Poblet monastery, with the permission of abbot Josep Escuder. An inscription commemorating the work is still readable on the façade today. That renovation gave the hermitage the form it retains now.

The Gothic image of the Virgin kept inside was destroyed in 1936, during the Spanish Civil War. It was later restored using surviving fragments of the original, so the current figure still carries a direct link to the earlier sacred artwork.

What should you look out for?

The architecture is plain and austere, typical of rural chapels in the region — no ornamentation to speak of, but plenty of character built up over centuries. Look for the façade with its two founder's coats of arms and the 1714 Baroque inscription documenting the remodeling. Inside, the focal point is the reconstructed Gothic figure of the Virgin, the object of local devotion and the centerpiece of the annual religious festivities.

The hermitage is listed as a locally protected heritage asset (BCIL), confirming its status as part of the historic fabric of Vimbodí i Poblet.

When's the best time to visit?

The site can be visited year-round, but it's liveliest during the annual festival honoring the village's co-patroness, marked by religious services and a communal dinner at the hermitage. Once every five years — in years ending in 4 or 9, following a tradition begun in 1944 — the celebration expands into the Festes Quinquennals, an extended festival drawing wider participation from across the region. That's the best time to see the hermitage at its most festive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the hermitage open to visitors all year? The site can be visited year-round, though the interior is mainly accessible during services and religious festivities — check the local calendar before planning a visit.

How far is it from the Poblet monastery? The hermitage is about three kilometers from the Poblet monastery, along the road connecting the monastery to the village of Vimbodí.

What does "dels Torrents" mean? The name refers to the stream (Catalan "torrent") running through the site, the torrent d'en Guiot, tied to the legend of the Virgin's image being found among its reeds.

What are the Festes Quinquennals? They are an extended, five-yearly festival honoring the Mare de Déu dels Torrents, held in years ending in 4 or 9, continuing a tradition that began in 1944.