How to get by car to l'Abellera Chapel in Tarragona?
Spain, europe
1.9 km
1,008 m
hard
Year-round
# Santuari de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera
Perched at 1,008 meters (3,307 feet) in the Baix Camp region of southern Catalonia, this mountain shrine is absolutely worth the drive. Located in Tarragona province in northeastern Spain, the views from up here? Absolutely stunning.
This historic chapel is a beauty with serious history. Built into a cave on a cliff face (possibly dating back to 1570), it's got that legendary vibe—locals say a shepherd found a Virgin statue in an oak tree that mysteriously kept returning to its original spot no matter how many times he moved it. Pretty cool, right? The chapel's also got connections to some serious historical figures, including Queen Margarida of Prades and Friar Bernat Boïl, who actually lived here back in the 15th century. The modest façade we see today was built in stages, with the bell tower added around 1578. Inside, you'll find a single nave and the crowned Virgin statue replica (crowned in 1956). It's become a major pilgrimage site—especially beloved by beekeepers thanks to its historical bee connections. Pilgrims flock here on Easter Monday and September 8, with a traditional procession from Prades around Christmas.
The drive itself is pretty straightforward. Starting from the paved T-704 south of Prades, the road (Camí de l'Ermita de la Mare de Déu de l'Abellera) is totally paved but steep and narrow—think winding mountain road vibes. It's only 1.9 kilometers (1.18 miles) long with a modest 64-meter elevation gain and an average gradient of 3.3%. The speed limit is 40km/h, so just take your time and soak in those mountain views along the way.
Where is it?
How to get by car to l'Abellera Chapel in Tarragona? is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 41.0062, -4.9813
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,008 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 41.0062, -4.9813
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