FONTCALDA SHRINE
Sanctuary in a natural landscape that was occupied by a community of monks of the Trinitarian Order in Gandesa
Between the mountains of Els Ports and Pàndols, in a natural landscape bordered by pine trees, oaks and rocky walls, the sanctuary of La Fontcalda blossoms, a religious building mentioned in historical documents from the 14th century, when it was occupied by a community of monks of the Trinitarian Order. In reality, the current building, in neoclassical style, dates from 1753. It consists of a single nave with a barrel vault, a dome and side chapels. In 1936, the baroque altar and the original icon of the Virgin were destroyed, an alabaster copy of the latter is now in the church.
Onthe first Sunday of May the pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Fontcalda is held. The children of the town announce the pilgrimage the day before, shouting "To Fontcalda! To the Fontcalda! The procession leaves the church at 7:00 a.m. to go to the sanctuary. Mass is celebrated, followed by the popular dance. At the end of the day, the procession returns to the village.
To the left of the Canaletes river, near the sanctuary, flows the "medicinal" spring of Fontcalda, also called "Font dels Xorros ". The water of the Fontcalda thermal baths has a high concentration of minerals and an average temperature of 28°C! This idyllic setting, a stage on the Via Verda that runs along the Val de Zafán railroad, is ideal for bathing, although the water is not very deep. A small bar opens in the summer.