SANT CARLES DE LA RÁPITA

In the south part of the delta, the deposited soil forms the port of the Alfacs. At the entrance of the this natural harbour, the largest of the Mediterranean , is today Sant Carles of the Ràpita. The present city is consequence of a project of Carlos III, who, seeing this natural formation though, that if necessary, could accommodate all the Royal Fleet, decided to take advantage of it. The intention was to form a great city, but things didn't go any further than this. In 1778 the king died and, and after the fall of minister Floridablanca, the initiated works were suspended. Even today they are still some of the unfinished constructions, among which is the “Capelleta”, the unfinished church and today these works are slowly sinking. The history of the population goes much further back. Some even identifies it with the old Hemeros-copeion.

During the Middle Ages it was occupied by the Arabs, where there was “ràbida” (convenst of monk soldiers). From this comes the name of the city. It was reconquered by Ramon Berenguer IV and it successively depended on the monks of Sant Cugat of the Vallès, of the order of the templars and the Crown. Man left his tracsk in the Cave of the Tendo, leaving the painting of a balck Ox painted vertically. This painting corresponds to the period of the old Paleolítico, and is the oldest of all Catalonia . The port ceded by Carlos III is to become the great port of the Mediterranean remained during a long time as a port used for drag fishing, and for the inner traffic of the delta: rice, salt, carob beans, oranges… As Josep Pla said, it is about a wonderful panorama, but little real utility; just industrial and mariner. It also operates salt mines and it has an important factory of chemical fertilisers and at the present time an important commercial port and fishing port. The landscape of the calm sea, still water between the earth's arms, is unmatchable. The sea, here it is almost a lagoon “….it takes all possible tones, all the combinations. Blue —cloudy blue ,vague but dominates everything to it, even the light, which it puts under fire to an endless zigzag on the fine slightly trembling of the water”. Its city layout is neoclassic; it conserves some buildings of the era, like the Public square and the new Church, both unfinished. If we look up we will see the mountains of the Montsià, full of itineraries that we can visit; fountains, caves, cave paintings, natural landscapes of great beauty. Sea and mountains, Delta and river. From here come the people of the Ràpita and this is what this earth can offer. Of the sea and the Delta gastronomy is born, rich in marine flavours and with many Mediterranean varieties that has lured the tourists to it.

Name :Sant Carles de la Rápita Province :Tarragona Description :Gastronomic and touristic capital of the area PLACES OF INTEREST :Beaches and trips inland Beaches :Extensas, Sant Carles de la Rápita
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