The Moorish queen of Siurana: the full legend and how to find the hoofprint
Some places are visited for their views. Siurana is also visited for a story.
The last refuge
Siurana was the last Muslim stronghold in what is now Catalonia. Its cliffs and castle made it almost impregnable, and it held out after the neighbouring strongholds had fallen. But in 1153 the troops of Ramon Berenguer IV reached it, and its fate was sealed.
The leap
This is where the legend begins. They say that in the final moments, with the soldiers already inside, Abdelazia, daughter of Siurana’s last wali, appeared before everyone on her white horse. Rather than fall into enemy hands, she galloped towards the edge of the cliff, right below the castle wall.
Seeing the void, the horse tried to stop, but its momentum was too strong. Horse and rider fell into the abyss.
Some call her the wali’s daughter, others a queen or the wife of the last Moorish king. Every version changes a detail. What never changes is the name of the place: the Salt de la Reina Mora, the Moorish Queen’s Leap.
The hoofprint
They say that as the horse tried to stop, it left its mark for ever. By the edge of the cliff, in the limestone, the horseshoe mark is still pointed out.
Is it really the print of a horse from almost nine centuries ago? It’s a legend, and legends don’t ask for proof. But standing in front of it, with the reservoir far below, it’s hard not to believe it a little.
How to find it
- Get to Siurana: from Cornudella de Montsant it’s about 9 km and around 15 minutes by car. The car parks at the entrance are paid.
- Walk through the village to the castle ruins.
- Take the Camí de la Trona, which leads to the Salt de la Reina Mora viewpoint, overlooking the reservoir and the Prades mountains.
- Look for the mark in the rock, by the edge. Allow about 20 minutes on foot from the car park.
Take care: Turisme del Priorat warns that the Camí de la Trona runs along a very exposed stretch. It’s not for anyone afraid of heights, and children must be watched closely.
After the legend
Back down, Cornudella de Montsant awaits with bars and restaurants, so you can discuss whether you found the hoofprint. We have three apartments in the centre of the village, about 15 minutes from Siurana.
Your dog can come. The horse is better left at home.
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