La Musara

La Musara is an abandoned village near Tarragona situated at about 990 meters elevation on limestone mountains with stone ruins and decaying structures spread across the site. The remains show the traditional building styles that residents once called home.

The first written mention of the place appears in an agreement between King Alfonso I of Aragon and Archbishop Guillem de Torroja in 1173. The village remained inhabited for centuries afterward until it was finally abandoned in the middle of the 20th century.

The name Musara comes from Arabic roots and refers to lands used for grazing or leasing during the Saracen occupation. This linguistic connection shows how different cultures shaped this area over many centuries.

Visiting this location requires hiking on mountain paths, so basic fitness and proper footwear are necessary. The best time to explore is during warmer months when the paths are drier and easier to navigate.

The village was completely abandoned between 1950 and 1960 due to a phylloxera pest invasion that destroyed the local wine economy. This pest outbreak marked the end of human settlement at this location.

Location: Vilaplana

Architectural style: vernacular architecture

GPS coordinates: 41.25211,1.02824

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24