Convent of El Carme de Valls
Carmelites of Valls / Mare de Déu del Carme / Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Valls
(Valls, Alt Camp)
The Convent of El Carme was founded in Valls in 1320, when the town granted the Carmelite order a plot of land for its construction, along with financial support to cover building expenses. The convent was located outside the town walls, near the gate also known as El Carme.
Church facade
Historical information about the convent is scarce due to the loss of its archives. However, it is known that by the late 14th century, a new church had been built, likely replacing the original chapel from the time of its foundation. In the 17th century, the Carmelites acquired ownership of the lands and the Farigola mill, located north of the historic center. The convent suffered significant damage during the Reapers' War, leading to various repair works in the second half of the century, along with the acquisition of new liturgical furnishings.
However, the most significant renovations took place in the 18th century, when the church was almost entirely rebuilt. This reconstruction was completed in 1777, resulting in the temple that, for the most part, is still preserved today.During the 19th century, the convent endured the effects of the Peninsular War, as it was converted into a military barracks and looted. After a temporary exclaustration during the Liberal Triennium, the final exclaustration occurred in 1835. Once in public hands, the building was repurposed as a hospital until 1868, while in 1878, the church became a parish church. Since 1868, the convent has housed various schools, a function it still serves today.
Photo published in Memòria de la intervenció
arqueològica al convent del Carme de Valls
- BARRAQUER Y ROVIRALTA, Cayetano (1906). Las casas de religiosos en Cataluña durante el primer tercio del siglo XIX. Vol. 1. Barcelona: Imp. Fco. J. Altés
- GAVÍN, Josep M. (1980). Inventari d'esglésies. Vol. 6. Barcelona: Artestudi
- PUIGJANER Y GUAL, Francisco (1881). Historia de la Villa de Valls desde su fundación hasta nuestros días. Valls: Imp. Francisco Pellisser
- RIBAS, E. (1935). Llibre del Carme de Valls. La Crònica de Valls, 21-09-1935
- VELASCO BAYÓN, Balbino (1990). Historia del Carmelo español. Vol. 1. Roma: Institutum Carmelitanum
- TEIXELL NAVARRO, Imma (2008). El convent del Carme de Valls (Alt Camp). Tribuna d'arqueologia, 2007. Barcelona: Generalitat de Catalunya
- TEIXELL NAVARRO, Imma (2009). Memòria de la intervenció arqueològica al convent del Carme de Valls (Valls, Alt Camp). Codex - Arqueologia i Patrimoni
The church and former convent of El Carme are located in the southern part of Valls’ old town