SITES TO VISIT IN THE HOUSE SURROUNDINGS

The town of Montmagastre belongs to the municipality of Artesa de , in the district of La , province of . The city has 22 inhabitants and is configured by a set of scattered farmhouses located at the foot of Montmagastre hill of 763 m, which presides and characterizes the place. Formerly the town was a closed village located next to the castle, in the hillside where you can still see the streets and the remains of the houses in the middle of the vegetation. At the top of the hill rests the majestic Collegiate Church of San Miguel, documented as a canonical abbey since 1085, and the vestiges of the old castle, of great relevance in medieval times. The region of La Noguera and the surroundings are very rich in heritage, landscape, gastronomy, a good handful of customs, traditions, parties and many possibilities to practice adventure sports. Here we give you a sample.

■ Places of historical-artistic interest. ■ Places of landscape interest. ■ Fairs and Festivals. ■ Activities and adventure sports

Places of historical-artistic interest

o Route of the Castles. (Guided visits) o Castle of Montsonís o Montclar Castle o Florejachs Castle o Cister Route. (Guided visits). o Montsec Astronomical Park (Visiting hours). o Museum of La Noguera in (Visiting hours). o Montsec Museum in (Visiting Hours). o Sanctuary of Salgar (16km) o Archaeological site in Antona (16km) o Monastery of the Hazelnuts (Guided tours). o Gualter Monastery (Guided tours). o Romanesque Monastery of Santa Maria de las Franqueses. o Romanesque churches of Comiols, Collfred, Vall-llebrerola and Vernet. o Hermitage of the Vedrenya (Ancient romanic) (1km) o Church of San Marcos del Batlliu (Ancient romanic) (3 km) o Collegiate church of San Miguel on Montmagastre hill (Romanic architecture). o Collegiate Church of San Pedro de Ager. o Church of Santa María del Castillo de . o Canonical of San Pedro de Ponts. o Church of Santa María de Balaguer. o Church of Santa María de de les Avellanes o Church of San Salvador de Vilanova de Meià. o Church of San Juan de Térmens. o Santo Cristo de Balaguer. o Almazaras de Montmagastre and Vernet.

o Dolmens. o Tomb of the Maset.

Places of landscape interest

o Sierra del Montsec o Congost de Terradets. o Congost de Mont-rebei. o Mu gorge. o Salgar Gorge. o Confluence of Segre with o Confluence of the Segre with the Ebro and Cinca. o Reservoir. o Canelles Reservoir. o Santa Ana Reservoir. o Rialb Reservoir. o San Lorenzo Reservoir. o Pond of Ivars. o Ascent to Montmagastre Castle of 763m with stunning views.

Fairs and Festivals

o Festival of the three Tombs a Caballo de Balaguer (In January). o The Passion of Balaguer (In March). o The Passion of (In March). o Contest of Cazuelas de (In March). o Slaughter Pig of Artesa de Segre (The Tuesday of Carnival). o Rancho de Ponts (Carnival Tuesday) o Encuentro de Campaneros de (In April). o Plantada del Chopo of (May) o Major festival of Montmagastre (May). o May Fair of Balaguer. o Fiesta mayor de (In July). o Alentorn Festival (in August). o Major festival of Alos de Balaguer (In August). o Main festival of Santa Maria de Meià (In August). o Montsonís Festival (in August) o Major Party of Cubells (In August). o Artesa de Segre Melon and Wine Fair (August 24). o Fiesta mayor de Ponts (In September). o Greater festival of Vilanova de Meià (In September). o Main Festival of Artesa de Segre (Last week September) o Fair of Nougat and Chocolate to the Stone (In October). o Fair of the Partridge in Vilanova de Meià. (In November). o Greater Festival of Balaguer (In November). o Fair of Saint Lucia in Balaguer (In December). o Ager Christmas Fair. o Living nativity scenes from Camarasa, and Térmens. o Mercado de Artesa de Segre on Sundays. o Mercado de Ponts on Wednesdays. o Mercado de Balaguer on Saturdays. o Market on Wednesdays.

Activities and adventure sports

o Routes on foot and by bicycle for the whole term and region. o Wine Route. (Itineraries) o Route of the oil. o Transsegre de Balaguer (July). o Free flight and paragliding (Vilanova de Meià and Valle de Ager in the Montsec). o Climbing (Montsec) o Canyoning (Buli Hole) o Speleology (Montsec) o Canoeing (In the Segre Mig Yacht Club in Ponts and the Canelles reservoir) o Windsurf. o Jet skis. o Horse riding. o Search for mushrooms. o Fishing. o Hunting reserve. o Ski slopes in the Pyrenees of Lleida (1h approx.) o Recreation area in the Segre River (Vernet Bridge). o Bowling. o Volleyball and badminton court.