BOT TOURISM

DISCOVERING BOT

Bot is located at the heart of the Terra Alta region between the mountainous south and the flatter highlands to the north. Exploring the town itself, we can discover buildings of architectural interest, the old quarter, and the nearby Sant Josep chapel. The town is close to the River Canaletes and the Via Verda long-distance walking and cycling route, which offers many opportunities to explore the area. The true essence of Bot is to be found in its wines, the landscape, nature and a wide range of rural experiences.

TERRITORY

Explore the beauty of these lands: you can follow walking routes to the three well-known mountains near Bot – Agulla, Plana and Migdia – . You can enjoy hiking among the hilltops, wild swimming in the Les Olles natural pools, or a more relaxing walk around the cultivated fields and vineyards surrounding the town.

GASTRONOMY

Any visitor to Bot has to try the local wines and delicious gastronomy. Local products include olives and olive oil, cold cured meats and other locally-reared meat, nuts and summer fruits. Top quality local food from small-scale farmers and producers who respect and care for the lands and offer unique visitor and gastronomic experiences.

TRADITIONS AND CULTURE

Bot also offers traditions and culture. You can discover the day-to-day life of the town,joining local inhabitants in the streets, shops and town square, and also participate in long-standing cultural events and festivities such as the Sant Blai town festival in February or the traditional auction of firewood and other activities held to celebrateSaint Anthony’s day in January. Other more modern events have also been introduced to add variety to the cultural calendar such as the Terra Alta Cinema Festival (inFCTA) and el Cicle Estacions, events, combining culture, arts and local gastronomy.

Thanks to its strategic location, Bot is an ideal starting point to explore the Terra Alta region, by walking or cycling the Via Verda route, or enjoying the wonders of the Els Ports Natural Park. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

THE TOWN

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We invite you to pay a visit to any of the local wine cellars or see the building which was home to the old Wine Cooperative, stroll the streets of the old quarter and pause in the main square, admire the art and history of the Sant Blai parish church and enjoy the views over the old railway and station from the spot known locally as the ‘Balconet’.

SURROUNDING AREA

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Walk along a stretch of the old railway line, now converted into a walking and cycling route known as Via Verda (Green Way), walk up to the Sant Josep chapel, explore the Forat de la Donzella natural rock formation and picnic area, climb the Agulla, Plana and Migdia mountains or cool off in the natural pools called Les Olles.

DISCOVER

THE TOWN

VISIT ONE OF OUR WINE CELLARS

The Terra Alta region and, specifically, Bot have a long tradition of vine-growing and wine-making. Local wines are recognized for their quality and bear the Protected Designation of Origin label, Denominació d’Origen (DO Terra Alta), a guarantee of locally-made top quality products. The Garnatxa Blanca (white Grenache) grape stands out among the many different kinds grown here. Bot is the ideal place to find out more about vineyards and wine-making culture and traditions, and the characteristics of different wines and varieties of grape. Many wineries are open for visits and organize wine-tourism experiences. Whatever you do, you should not leave Bot before tasting the subtle and delicate flavours of our wines. A rich sensorial experience sure to help you connect with and appreciate the local winemaking traditions.

A WALK ROUND THE OLD TOWN

Fall for the charms of the old part of Bot with a leisurely walk through its narrow streets. Discover the main street, Carrer Major, and others such as Carrer Hospital, Carrer de la Palla or Carrer Telmo Lacasa. Originally a very small village of just thirty houses, Bot grew in size after it became independent from the nearby town Orta in the 16th century. Around that time, the church was extended and large manor houses were built by wealthy and important families such as the Casa Paladella in Carrer Major street. These impressive buildings are found among rows of smaller houses belonging to more humble farming families. These simpler buildings usually consisted of three floors. The ground floor was for farm animals, the family lived on the first floor, and the attic was for storing food. The streets of Bot and the stories they contain offer a look into the rich heritage of the town and a glimpse of a life now changed. A walk back in time.

VISIT THE CHURCH SQUARE

This square, Plaça de l’Església, is at the centre of the town and its life, with the Sant Blai church on one side and the Town Hall on the other. Its location and the fact that the main road passes through here makes it the centre of the town. There are two bars with outdoor seating around the square making it the perfect place to sit and chat or simply enjoy watching people and time go by. With a hot cup of coffee on a winter’s day, or a glass of local wine to taste the town’s delights, the square is ideal for peaceful moments or lively conversations.

ART AND HISTORY IN SANT BLAI CHURCH

The Sant Blai church in Bot dates back to the 17th century. Its architectural elements offer a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. It has a single rectangular main nave with side chapels and buttresses visible from outside. Unfortunately, the church’s apse was demolished in 1936 to make room for widening the street, which also led to the destruction of the altarpiece and vestry. The main door is in a classic style with a semicircular arch and two Tuscan columns which hold the entablature and the triangular pediment. The church’s patron saint is Saint Blaise (Sant Blai) who is honoured in the town’s local festivities at the start of February.

BALCONET

The ‘Balconet’ (balcony) is a viewing point at the end of the main street, Carrer Major, which then leads down to the old railway station. When the path from the station to the town was first built, a flight of steps was constructed originally around a water deposit, meaning the railway workers were the first in the town to have running water whereas the inhabitants still had to collect their water from the town spring. This part of town was restored and renovated with new steps built a few years ago and connects the town to the Via Verda, a cycleway and walking path following the old railway. The viewpoint ‘Balconet’ is perfectly located to admire the natural landscapes surrounding the town; the Canaletes river valley, the Agulla, Plana and Migdia mountains, and, further away, the Santa Bàrbara mountain and the Montsagre range, found within the Els Ports Natural Park.

THE OLD BOT RAILWAY STATION

The old Val de Zafán railway line used to pass by Bot. Now in disuse, it has been converted into the Via Verda (Green Way), a long-distance walking and cycling route, ideal for taking a stroll or a more serious walk to get to know the area and enjoy the spectacular landscapes. It is also a good point to set out on long-distance cycling routes inland towards Horta de Sant Joan, or down towards the coast, passing by the old spa at Fontcalda, between Gandesa and Prat de Comte. Outside the old station building, a small bar has been set up in an old train carriage with outdoor seating to take a break and enjoy the sights.

THE OLD WINE COOPERATIVE CELLAR

An example of the ‘Noucentisme’ architectural style popular in Catalonia at the start of the 20th century, the cellar was built in brick between 1920 and 1924, adapting an older building, and is located in Carrer Canvis street. It was built by the Sant Isidre Agricultural Union which, at its peak, had 102 members. It has seen many reformations and changes over the years. At present, it is a two-floor building with sturdy iron beams. The large rectangular main plant of the building was used for storing wine barrels and a smaller area, connected to an outdoor and covered yard, was for machinery and pressing grapes. The facade of the building is plastered but has a stone finish around the lower part. The main door has a round arch made of small voussoirs and a hood mould. Above the door there is a huge pointed arch window divided into smaller openings with pillars and a lintel beam. The rest of the facade has narrow vertical windows with semicircular arches. The Agricultural Union stopped work in the Spanish Civil War and the building later passed into private ownership. Nowadays it is private property and cannot be visited but still conserves the charm of the industrial and agricultural past of Bot.

DISCOVER

SURROUNDING AREA

THE VIA VERDA

The old Val de Zafán railway line, now in disuse, has been converted into the Via Verda (Green Way), a long-distance walking and cycling or horse-riding route. It stretches for 180 km all the way from Puebla de Híjar (in Baix Martín, Aragon) to Tortosa (Baix Ebre, Catalonia), passing by many small towns and villages in the Terra Alta region. You can follow short stretches of the route or enjoy a longer walk. It is connected to other signed paths too. You can join the Via Verda easily at Bot as the old railway station is beside the town. It offers an excellent opportunity to try different routes and enjoy the wonderful natural landscapes near and around the River Canaletes.

SANT JOSEP CHAPEL

This small 19th century chapel is located on a hilltop one kilometre from the town centre. As with many churches, the floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. The facade is centred on the axis of the nave. The entrance door has a semicircular arch with voussoirs and a window crowned with a bell-gable. It was originally designed in open stone-work but has since been whitewashed. To celebrate the festivity of Saint Joseph , (19 March), in mid-March the inhabitants of Bot walk up to the chapel in a short pilgrimage (romeria) and enjoy an outdoor meal there together.

EL FORAT DE LA DONZELLA

A cave located to the south of the town and near the Sant Josep chapel. A natural spring of water flows from a narrow cleft in the rocks especially when the wind blows in the right direction. The area around the spring has been made into a picnic area with stone tables and benches. It is easy to get to on foot or by bike. The name of the cave has its origins in a legend which tells of a damsel (donzella) who came out to invite shepherds to enter with her and admire the natural wonders of the cave.

Agulla, Plana and Migdia mountains

These three spectacular mountains are emblematic landmarks of Bot. They are to the east of Bot and can be easily admired from many spots in the town itself, especially from the viewpoint known as the ‘Balconet’ at the end of Carrer Major street, near the railway station. Experienced mountain hikers can even try to climb to the peak of the Migdia mountain, a route recommended only for experienced mountaineers as the last part of the climb involves a rock face with technical difficulties.

Les Olles

Les Olles del Baubo are a group of natural rock pools formed by erosion in this stretch of the River Canaletes. They are actually located within the municipal boundaries of neighbouring Horta de Sant Joan, but are very close to Bot. Les Olles are very popular for summertime wild swimming, and their popularity means it is more important than ever to respect the natural area and ecosystems to ensure their conservation. You can reach the area by car from Bot or by cycling along a surfaced track which starts out to the south of Bot and follows the Canaletes valley.