Sant Pau de la Figuera

Sant Pau de la Figuera is a small hermitage perched above the village of la Figuera in the Priorat region, Tarragona province. Built on a limestone outcrop over 600 metres high, on the ridge known as Serra de Sant Pau, it sits roughly 2.5 kilometres from the village centre. The site combines modest religious architecture with one of the finest viewpoints in the area, drawing both pilgrims and hikers throughout the year.

How do you get there?

A footpath starting in la Figuera leads up to the hermitage — the walk normally takes about an hour one way and needs no special equipment, though the final stretch climbs steeply over rocky ground. Sturdy shoes and water are worth bringing, especially in summer, when the exposed slopes get plenty of sun. La Figuera lies in the heart of Priorat, so driving in from Falset takes only a few minutes, and from Tarragona around forty minutes; from the village itself, the rest of the way is on foot.

What will you see?

The building has an unusual inverted-L floor plan, with the longer wing forming the chapel proper, its walls reinforced with buttresses. The roof is double-pitched and tiled, and the interior façade still shows the remains of an old bell tower. Inside are images of the Virgin of la Mola and Saint Paul, the site's patron. No records survive documenting exactly when the hermitage was built, but researchers believe it dates back at least to the 16th century, with a substantial remodelling — including the interior decoration — carried out in the 18th century.

The real highlight, though, is the terrace running around the building, locally known as the "viewpoint of the seven provinces." On a clear day the panorama stretches to the Pyrenees, the Lleida plains and Aragon, and closer by, the mountain ranges and villages of Ribera d'Ebre and Terra Alta. Near the summit you can also find traces of a command post used by Republican forces during the Battle of the Ebro in 1938, adding a layer of Spanish Civil War history to the site.

When should you visit?

The hermitage comes alive on three specific days each year, when traditional pilgrimages (romerías) take place — January 15th, May 15th, and the second Sunday of August. On those dates, residents from the surrounding villages climb the hill to honour the site's patron saint. Outside those occasions, early morning or late afternoon are the best times to go, when the light is softer and temperatures more bearable on the steep approach. Spring and autumn suit a longer walk around the area best, while winter often rewards visitors with clear views of the snow-capped Pyrenees in the distance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the climb to Sant Pau de la Figuera difficult? The route is short, but the final stretch runs over steep, rocky terrain, so proper footwear is needed. Anyone with average fitness can manage it in about an hour.

Is the hermitage open every day? The interior is generally accessible during the romerías and occasional openings organised by the local community; outside those times, visitors can still admire the building from outside and enjoy the viewing terrace.

What can you see from the viewpoint? On a clear day the panorama takes in the Pyrenees, the Lleida and Aragon territories, and the ranges of Ribera d'Ebre and Terra Alta — hence the local name "viewpoint of the seven provinces."

What is the historical significance of the site? Beyond its religious role, the hill served as an observation and command point for Republican troops during the 1938 Battle of the Ebro, one of the pivotal confrontations of the Spanish Civil War.