Following in the footsteps of the Knights Templar

Today you can access the castle by car but, to get closer to your soul, you have to get there on foot. The next proposal is a small and charming walk that allows you to go up and down the castle from the village using some of its old paths. The excursion can start in Plaça de l’Arenal (1), in front of the majestic turn of the river Ebro to lick the mountain and the houses of Miravet. Exit in a south-westerly direction, along Forn Street, to go up to find the old church (2). From this point, continue along Carrer Ferreries, following the route of the El Camí de l’Ebre route (GR 99).

You leave the town crossing an old wall. In front, on the right (3), is the path that follows the base of the castle and leads to the archaeological remains of what could have been a primitive population. It is a good option if you want to shorten the walk. The recommended option, however, continues down the coast of Riago, which still retains much of its old and evocative cobblestones. The views over the river are magnificent between rows of lush prickly pears. At the end of the descent, continue along the dirt road that accompanies the river until you find, not long after, the old path (4) that goes up towards the fortress. This was probably the main access road to the castle from the banks of the Ebro.

Before the footsteps of the Templars, the ancient horseshoe paths still hold the echoes of the al-murabitun, the warrior monks of Islam who defended the Saracen castle, the ribat. The chronicles of the 11th century describe Muràbit (Miravet) as a small well-defended and fortified farmhouse, on the banks of the Ebro, on a day trip from Tortosa by the river, where it was traded with pine wood from the nearby mountains and with vats of mud, large and good for wine and olives.

You come to a small pass where there is a fork (5). The turnoff to the right leads directly to the car park, although it is necessary to overcome a somewhat awkward rocky step. The main road descends straight to find the access road to the castle. On the north side, in front of the main gate of the impressive fortress (6), starts the old path that goes straight down to the old part of Miravet. He has no loss.