Ancient Spanish Village, Dating Back 8 Centuries, Earns "Rural New York" Nickname Due to Its Perpendicular Streets and Vertically-Stacked Houses Bucking Earth's Gravity
Explore the Spanish countryside's unexpected gem, dubbed as the "Rural New York" of Europe. Nestled in the Priorat region of Catalonia, lies the breath-taking village of La Vilella Baixa. This mesmerizing village, perched on a deep gorge, is a remarkable resemblance of Manhattan, reimagined by nature herself.
With houses that seemingly defy gravity, stacked vertically on the rockface just like Lego blocks, and narrow, winding streets connecting staircases and bridges, it's the embodiment of a rustic Manhattan skyline[2]. The village's layout captivated Spanish publications, who coined the intriguing nickname, "Rural New York".
Navigating the village feels akin to navigating neighborhoods like the Lower East Side or West Village in NYC. Swap bodegas for bakeries, delis for vineyards, and brownstones for medieval stone homes[3]. Standing on Carrer del Pont, the village's iconic 17-meter stone bridge, you'll feel as if you're gazing up at a natural version of the NYC skyline without the towering One Vanderbilt. Instead, picture a "Stone Age Flatiron".
The architecture is as captivating as it is wild. The iconic 17-meter stone bridge, Carrer del Pont, stretching across a steep ravine, linking both sides of the town, offers a surreal bird's eye view of the stacked buildings hanging precariously over the edge. Much of the architecture had to adapt to the rugged terrain, with floors added vertically rather than outwards, some buildings climbing an astonishing five stories straight up.
This charming village didn't sprout up overnight-it has a history dating back over 800 years, first recorded in documents from the 13th century. Despite its size, with a population of under 200 people, it's filled with character[4]. The entire Priorat area is renowned for its award-winning wines and dramatic topography, making it the perfect hidden gem to stumble across between tastings.
Visiting La Vilella Baixa offers a unique experience. Don't miss the opportunity to walk Carrer del Pont, hike the rugged landscape, taste the local wines, and stay overnight at a local guesthouse like Casa La Castellana[5]. This picturesque town in Tuscany, Italy, with its towering medieval towers, might make you question whether you're really in the countryside of Spain or the heart of Manhattan.
[1] Encyclopedia Britannica - La Vilella Baixa[2] SkyscraperCity - La Vilella Baixa[3] Insider - The ultimate travel guide to La Vilella Baixa, Spain[4] Wine Enthusiast - Visit Vineyards and Castles in Spain's Priorat[5] Time Out - The 10 best hotels in Priorat and Montsant
- A visit to La Vilella Baixa, Spain's hidden gem, allows you to experience a lifestyle reminiscent of Manhattan, with its stacked buildings and winding streets, but surrounded by home-and-garden charm.
- The unusual architecture of La Vilella Baixa, including the iconic stone bridge, Carrer del Pont, resembles a natural version of a pop art concept, where a skyline is replaced by a teetering array of medieval stone homes.
- After exploring the vineyards and rugged landscape of the Priorat region, one can unwind in a local guesthouse, marvelling at the surprising contrast between the rustic beauty of their lodgings and the towering constructions they'd seen on their travels.
