Prades village

La Vila Roja, one of the most picturesque locations of the Costa Daurada Mountains

During the Reconquista, the Prades mountains served as a defence to the Saracens who had settled around Siurana. However, half way through the twelfth century, Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona, after invading Lleida and Tortosa, surrounded and forced the surrender of Siurana, expelled the Moors from it and repopulated the area. Then, the centre of gravity of the mountains shifted from Siurana to Prades, which in 1159 received its Charter.

In 1324, James II created the County of the Prades Mountains for his son, Ramon Berenguer. The owners of the manor were important at different points in the history of Catalonia. Margarida of Prades became queen by marrying King Martí l'Huma. Later, subsequent generations through marriage became linked with the houses of Cardona, Aragón, Segovia, Empúries and Medinaceli.
Their aristocratic power lasted until the confiscation of Mendizabal, in 1835. The title of Count of Prades is still preserved in the hands of Medinaceli.

Prades is notable that you are surrounded by the red colour of the stones used to build the walls, the church and many of the houses. This colour is that of the sharp stones which can be easily found around the town. This feature, unique in Catalonia, has given the name of Vila Vermella (Red Town). Among the attractions of the village we find the main square (Plaza Major), the spherical Renaissance fountain, the Gothic church of Santa Maria la Major, an ogival vaulted nave and the Renaissance facade topped with a pediment. Sections of the wall show the remnants of the castle, two Romanesque town gates, various samples of Gothic art and a square tower defence.