Vilafranca del Penedès, Wine capital municipality in Alt Penedès, Spain
Vilafranca del Penedès is a municipality in Alt Penedès, positioned about 54 kilometers from Barcelona on flat land with gentle hills. The town serves as a wine production hub, with museums and historic buildings dedicated to viticulture and local heritage.
The town developed in the 12th century following the decline of Olèrdola and later became an important administrative center. King James I held court sessions there in 1218, marking it as a site of royal authority.
The annual ViJazz festival pairs wine tastings with live music, reflecting the town's role as a cultural meeting place. The December Fira del Gall fair brings together regional artisans and food producers, showing how locals celebrate their heritage.
The town is accessible via the AP-7 highway and regional roads C-243 and C-15, with regular train service on the Rodalies Barcelona line 4. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring wineries and museums.
The Gothic church of Santa Maria, the Palau Reial, and the Vinseum museum form a connected historical complex within the town center. Visitors walking through this area encounter centuries of wine-making history preserved through these three distinct structures.
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