Prenafeta

Location
Prenafeta is an outlying hamlet of Montblanc, located to the east of the town at an altitude of around 470 metres, at the foot of the western slope of the Tossal Gros. Rising to 867 metres, this peak is the highest point of the Serra Carbonària and marks the boundary with the region of Alt Camp.

History
Some historians suggest that the origins of Prenafeta predate the feudal conquest. The earliest written reference dates back to 1060, although the settlement was not fully consolidated until the mid-12th century, when Ramon Berenguer IV captured the castle of Prenafeta from the Saracens.

A barony was later established, encompassing the territories of Figuerola, Miramar, Mas de n’Amill, Puigdespí and Montornès. Towards the end of the 13th century, the castles of Prenafeta, Figuerola and Miramar came under the jurisdiction of the monastery of Poblet. From that point onwards, several jurisdictional disputes arose between Montblanc and Poblet, although the Cistercian monastery retained control over Prenafeta until the 18th century.

In the late 18th century, the population abandoned the original settlement, located near the castle, and moved to the present site, which was easier to access. On the higher ground of the territory, the small hamlet of La Barceloneta emerged, which today belongs to the municipality of Montblanc.

In the 19th century, Prenafeta was annexed to Lilla (1850) and, in 1878, both settlements became part of the municipality of Montblanc.

Highlights
The parish church of Sant Salvador, built in the Baroque style and featuring a semicircular doorway and a bell gable, is the main religious building in the present-day village.

Of particular interest are the remains of the former settlement of Prenafeta — referred to as Vilafreda in some sources — where the layout of the main street can still be traced, along with the ruins of the old church of Sant Salvador and the remains of the castle, known as Castell dels Moros or Torre dels Moros, located at around 750 metres above sea level. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy outstanding panoramic views over the Conca de Barberà.

Finally, mention should be made of the chapel of Santa Anna de Montornès, a fine example of Catalan Gothic architecture, probably built in the 16th century. Although it depends ecclesiastically on the parish of Barberà de la Conca, it lies within the territory of Prenafeta and is closely linked to the former settlement of Montornès.