Local information
For those of you who may be spending an extra day or two in or around Poblet and wish to take part in some sort of leisure activity by yourselves or with your MET colleagues, here are a few suggestions.
Museum of Rural Life
Located in Espluga de Francolí, 3-4 km from Poblet, the museum is testimony to the traditional life led in the towns and villages of Catalonia. The permanent exhibition contains a wide variety of items representative of culture, farming life and traditional crafts.Opening times
Tuesdays to Saturdays: 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Sundays: 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prices
Adults: €5
Address
Carretera de Montblanc, 35
L’Espluga de Francolí (43440)
Tel: 977 87 05 76
E-mail: info@museuvidarural.cat
Website: www.museuvidarural.cat/casobremuseu
The caves of Espluga de Francolí
The caves are the most popular tourist attraction in Espluga. They were discovered in 1853 while a well was being dug and they mark the underground route of the Francolí river as it winds its way to meet the Mediterranean in the city of TarragonaOpening times
Tuesdays to Sundays: 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices
Adults: €6
Address
Av. Catalunya s/n.
L’Espluga de Francolí
Tel: 977 871 220
E-mail: fontmajor@covesdelespluga.info
Website: www.esplugaturisme.cat
Winemaking cooperative and wine museum (Espluga de Francolí)
Founded in 1902, this winemaking cooperative is one of the oldest in Catalonia. The building itself, like many other wine cooperatives around Catalonia, is a leading example of the Modernista architectural style. It has recently been refurbished but none of its early 20th century splendour has been lost. If you’re looking to take some local produce home, here’s your chance to purchase wine, cava, oil or nuts.The building currently houses the Wine Museum, which occupies three levels. On the first you can see the old winepresses and learn about the history of winemaking. On the second, among the vats, you can find out about the more modern approaches to producing wine and, on the third, there is an exhibition about the building itself.
Opening times
Mondays to Fridays: 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tel : 977 871220
Montblanc
Montblanc is a medieval town about 10-11 kilometres from Poblet with a population of about 8,000. According to Catalan legend, it is where Saint George killed the dragon. If you wish to be shown around, you can book a guided tour at the following website: http://www.montblancmedieval.cat/en/quefer/visitesOr if you prefer to wander around at your leisure, you can find out more at: http://www.montblancmedieval.cat/en/. Among other things you can walk along the medieval walls that enclose the town, see Saint George’s arch (where the infamous dragon was slain), visit two art galleries (Frederic Marés and Palau Ferré) and a natural history museum, and buy local produce from the wine cooperative (again in the Modernista style).
