Valls

Municipality

Flag

Coat of arms

Valls

Location in Catalonia

Coordinates: 41°17′18″N 1°15′7″E / 41.28833°N 1.25194°ECoordinates: 41°17′18″N 1°15′7″E / 41.28833°N 1.25194°E

Spain

Catalonia

Government

• Mayor

Albert Batet Canadell (2011)

Area

• Total

55.3 km² (21.4 sq mi)

Elevation

215 m (705 ft)

Population (2016)

• Total

24,285

• Density

440/km² (1,100/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Vallenc

Website

valls.cat

Valls (Catalan pronunciation: [baʎs]) is the capital of the comarca of Alt Camp, in Catalonia, Spain. According to the 2014 census it has a population of 24,570.

Valls is known for its calçots – a type of scallion or green onion – and the human towers tradition known as the castells. The town is the birthplace of the composer Robert Gerhard (1896–1970).

Valls is a city and municipality in the province of Tarragona in Catalonia in northeastern Spain. It is the capital of the county of Alt Camp. With a population of 24,570 inhabitants in 2014, it represents more than half of the population of the county. It is located in the area known as Camp de Tarragona next to the River Francolí, near Reus (Baix Camp) and Tarragona (Tarragonès), the capital of the province.

Valls is known for its culinary tradition, the feasting on calçots at what is known as a "calçotada". The calçots are a large type of sweet-flavoured spring onion, barbecued over a pit of flaming vines, and eaten piping hot with a sauce. The calçotada continues with a main course of meats and sausages grilled over the same glowing coals, and is washed down with locally produced wines. The calçots are only available between December and May and draw diners from as far away as Barcelona. The calçot is grown locally and has a "PGI" (Protected Geographical Indication) status in the same way that champagne does.

Another cultural tradition of Valls is the practice of building "castells" at festivals, pyramids of people sometimes as much as twelve individuals high, with each layer being supported by the people below. This human tower tradition originated in the Ball dels Valencians in Valls, first recorded in 1712, and later spread to nearby towns such as Vilafranca del Penedès and Tarragona, and more recently, to other parts of Catalonia.

...
Wikipedia