SERVICES, ferries and boat trips
The Ebre River has undoubtedly been the union point for this territory, but at the same time a geographical accident which separated villages and regions. Since ancient times, in sections ot the river where there weren't any bridges, a system of rafts was set up to transport people, animals -and later on vehicles- from one side of the river to the other.
These rafts were called barges and were formed by two or more catboats (traditional narrow and low vessels) onto which a wooden platform rested. So that the “barge” was more stable and could fight against the current of the river, the structure was tied with a metallic cable to each of the shores. A mobile footbridge - adapted to the level of the water - allowed travellers to board.
Although almost all of the riverside villages had a boat crossing until the end of the nineteen sixties, the improvement in road systems, transport by road and also bridges being built at some of the more important towns along the Ebre, led to the disappearance of this service. In fact, today there are only two left: one in Flix and the other in Miravet. The Flix raft is operated by electricity while the Miravet boat crossing uses water currents.
Crossing the Ebre River by ferry or barge is a unique experience which gives you the chance to re-live a past activity which rarely exists in modern times.
River navigation
River Crossing. Miravet
