The four ghost villages of Tarragona you must visit

A journey through La Mussara, Corbera d'Ebre, Marmellar, and Selma to explore the history of rural depopulation.

Generic image of the ruins of an abandoned village in the mountains.
IA

Generic image of the ruins of an abandoned village in the mountains.

The Tarragona region preserves several rural settlements that, after decades of activity, have become silent witnesses to depopulation, the Spanish Civil War, and local legends.

Located in the Prades mountains, La Mussara is the most famous abandoned spot in the province. Deserted in the 1960s due to a lack of basic services, it is now a favorite destination for hikers. The church of Sant Salvador remains a landmark in an area that will host the Mussara Salou Costa Daurada cycling event in May 2026.
In contrast, the Poble Vell de Corbera d'Ebre serves as an open-air museum of memory. Destroyed during the Battle of the Ebro, this National Cultural Heritage site still shows the scars of war on its buildings and the baroque church of Sant Pere, which now hosts cultural events.
The route also includes Marmellar in Baix Penedès, surrounded by vineyards and mystery, and Selma in Alt Camp. Selma, an ancient Templar settlement, was finally abandoned in 1954. Today, the ruins of Sant Cristòfol and its castle offer a unique glimpse into medieval history and the silence of the Montmell mountains.