Travel Guide Riba-Roja D'Ebre

With more than 1,000 inhabitants, Riba-roja lives to the quiet rhythm of the flow of the Ebro River, in the territory of the Ribera d'Ebre region. Although the Iberians and Romans settled in the area, it was the Arabs who left their mark on the town with their techniques, from the castle, of which only the remains remain today, to the historic center, through irrigation and agriculture. They were the majority population until the 16th century. With the conquest of Ramon Berenguer IV in the twelfth century, the area fell under the control of the Hospitallers. In the 18th century the Baroque church dedicated to Sant Bartomeu was built, while in the 20th century the construction of the modern city began. In 1936, the city was shaken by the civil war and was conquered by Franco's troops in 1938. The inhabitants lived from agriculture and coal mining before the construction of the Riba-roja dam, which gave the city a new lease of life. Riba-roja is now a privileged place for river activities (fishing, boating, water skiing, kayaking...). If you like hiking, you can take the Camí de Sirga (GR-99), which starts in Almatret and ends in Riumar. Nearby are the hermitages of Santa Magdalena de Berrús and Santa Madrona, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. More information is available at the tourist office (Plaça de la Vila, 1) and at www.riba-roja.cat. Also worth mentioning is the river port of Pobla de Massaluca, 30 km away, with its many activities.