Sant Miquel de Canferrer

Sant Miquel de Canferrer refers to a small pair of religious buildings dedicated to Saint Michael in the municipality of El Montmell, in the Baix Penedès area of Tarragona province, Catalonia. The name covers both an old Romanesque hermitage standing at the foot of Montmell castle, at roughly 713 metres, and a later parish church built lower down the slope, near 640 metres, after the original site proved too hard to reach.

What's the history behind the site?

The first chapel stood right beneath the walls of the medieval Montmell castle, but the steep, rocky approach made regular use difficult. In the 16th century, locals built a replacement church on easier ground, consecrated in 1598. That newer building served as the parish church for centuries until the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), when it was abandoned. It has stood in a state of ruin ever since, though its walls and floor plan remain visible today.

Where exactly is it, and how do you get there?

The site sits within the hills of the Serra del Montmell, inside the municipality of El Montmell, at approximately 41.3248 N, 1.4201 E. Reaching it usually means a short walk rather than a drive: the hermitage connects to a wider trail network linking it with the Talaia del Montmell watchtower, the ruins of Montmell castle, and the nearby Sant Marc hermitage. Hikers and mountain bikers exploring the Baix Penedès region commonly use these paths, starting from one of the villages at the base of the range.

What will you actually see?

Visitors find the remnants of two structures: a modest stone Romanesque hermitage near the castle, and the abandoned 16th-century church further down, both surrounded by typical Mediterranean scrubland. From the surrounding high points, including the Talaia tower, the views stretch across the Penedès valley and the Montmell range, making the area as much a scenic lookout as a historical stop. Infrastructure is minimal — this is a rural heritage trail, not a managed visitor attraction.

What else is this area known for?

Beyond hiking, these same hillsides have a very different claim to fame: sections of road through this part of Montmell — including one named Canferrer, alongside another called Les Ventoses — form special stages of the WRC Rally Catalunya. The same terrain that draws walkers for most of the year becomes a competitive rally stage once a season, a contrast that says a lot about how this corner of the municipality gets used.

When's the best time to visit?

Given the exposed, hilly terrain and lack of shelter, spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking. Summer heat can make the rocky approach quite demanding, so sturdy footwear and enough water are worth carrying whatever the season.

Frequently asked questions

Is this one building or two? It refers to two structures dedicated to Saint Michael: an older Romanesque hermitage by Montmell castle, and a 16th-century church built lower down for easier access.

Is the church still in use? No. It was abandoned during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s and has remained in ruins since, though its architectural outline is still recognisable.

Can you drive right up to the site? Not directly — the hilly terrain means access is mainly on foot, along trails connecting the hermitage with the Talaia watchtower and the Montmell castle ruins.

What's the connection to car rallying? Roads through this part of the Montmell range, including the Canferrer section, are used as special stages in the WRC Rally Catalunya.