Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume and Paleochristian cemetery

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume

   Mequinenza had to move. In the 1960s and 1970s, two dams built on the Ebro created a huge reservoir known as the Mar de Aragón, and the old town at the meeting of the Ebro and the Segre was abandoned and largely demolished, its people resettled in a new town above. The story is told in the town's museums and in the novels of Jesús Moncada, who grew up in the old Mequinenza. In a ravine nearby, the Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume holds prehistoric paintings, part of the World Heritage Site of Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin.

   Read the complete Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume is where the day begins. Next is Albi II / Balma dels Punts.

2. 2. Albi II / Balma dels Punts

   L'Albi is a small village on a hill in Les Garrigues, the dry, olive-covered district southeast of Lleida, and its name appears in the archaeological record thanks to rock shelters in the area, including the Balma dels Punts, the shelter of the dots. The name suggests schematic paintings in the form of dots and lines, typical of the later phase of prehistoric art in the region, and the site is part of the UNESCO listing of Mediterranean rock art. The shelters are small and fragile, and some can only be visited with a guide, so check with the town hall or a local interpretation centre before heading out.

   Read the complete Albi II / Balma dels Punts write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Albi II / Balma dels Punts comes up about 74 km into the recorded legs. Next is Paleochristian cemetery.

3. 3. Paleochristian cemetery

   When the Roman city of Tarraco converted to Christianity, its people began burying their dead beside the Francolí river, west of the town, and the necropolis that grew up there over the fourth and fifth centuries is now one of the most important early Christian burial sites in the western Mediterranean. Hundreds of tombs were found, from simple graves to carved marble sarcophagi, along with remains of a basilica. Tradition links the site with Saint Fructuosus, the bishop of Tarraco burned in the amphitheatre in the year 259 along with two deacons.

   Read the complete Paleochristian cemetery write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 152 km into the recorded legs you reach Paleochristian cemetery. Next is back through Albi II / Balma dels Punts.

4. 4. back through Albi II / Balma dels Punts

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Albi II / Balma dels Punts write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Albi II / Balma dels Punts, late in the day. Next is Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume.

5. 5. Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Abric del Barranc de Sant Jaume. That is the ride.