Miravet

A village huddled beneath the magnificent Templar castle of Miravet on the Ebro river. The last Templars in Spain held out here until 1308, enduring a year-long siege rather than surrender their fortress.

In the remote Ribera d'Ebre region, far from Barcelona and the coast, Miravet is known primarily to river kayakers and medieval history enthusiasts.

History

Miravet's history is inextricably linked to its commanding castle, strategically positioned on a hill overlooking the Ebro River. Originally a Muslim stronghold, it was conquered by Ramón Berenguer IV in 1153 during the Reconquista. The castle was subsequently granted to the Knights Templar, who rebuilt and fortified it, transforming it into one of the most formidable Templar castles in the Iberian Peninsula. It served both as a military bastion and a significant administrative and economic center for the Order in Aragon.

Miravet gained historical notoriety as one of the last Templar strongholds in the Crown of Aragon to fall. Following the suppression of the Templar Order in 1307 by Pope Clement V, the castle endured a prolonged siege by royal forces from 1307 to 1308. Despite fierce resistance, the Templars eventually surrendered, marking a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the order in Spain. The castle then passed into the hands of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (the Hospitallers), who maintained it until the 19th century.

Highlights

• Templar castle — last Templar holdout in Spain
• Traditional flat-bottomed ferry across the Ebro
• Medieval riverside village
• Kayaking on the Ebro river

How to get there

From Tarragona, Miravet is best accessed by car, a scenic hour-long drive southwest along the C-12, following the Ebro River. Public transport options are limited.

Explore nearby: Catalonia guide · Tarragona province · Castles of Tarragona