On the 3rd.of September, 1152, Ramon Berenguer IV gave to his vassals Ramon dels Arcs, the township that would have his name from then on. The township also contained the inside lands, where afterwards the village of Vinyols would be set. Bernat dels Arcs got married with the heiress of Alforja, and during the following 43 years, both villages would be linked by only one Sir.

The origin of the village of Vinyols is found precisely on the disagreements between the Mitra of Tarragona and the Family who owned the two villages. Therefore, on the 2nd.of December, 1210, the Archbishop Ramon de Rocabertí took Bernat dels Arcs a part of the township, and gave it to Pere de Clariana, who early founded the village of Vinyols.

Due to the deep crisis that affected Catalunya, caused by several bad harvests, illnesses, wars and famines, the township of Vinyols experienced a big decrease. Actually, we know that in 1339 there was signed a concord that determined the union of the two townships.

On the 24th.of June: San Juan.
On the 25th.of November: Santa Caterina.

Culture:

In 1975 it was founded the "Coral Noves Veus" of Vinyols i els Arcs. Its first performance was done in the Misa del Gallo (on Christmas eve) in the last year. Since then, it has obtained a notable relevance in the world of the chores in the surroundings.

It has played in different concerts around Catalunya, the south of France, and it also takes part in the meeting of Corals "Aplec de Corals de les Comarques Meridionals".
Actually, the music has always been important in the village. There used to be some bands-orchestras that played in the major feasts of the villages of the county, either before or after the Guerra Civil.

There is a group of young people who publish the magazine "El Replà" every two months. The firsts in doing a similar thing were the members of the cyclist group "Els Amics del Ciclisme". This organisation has been promoting the cycle racing for the last twenty years, and it has organised the race "Gran premi Vinyols de Ciclisme". This race is very popular and well-known around all Catalunya and outside it.

The Parish Church of Vinyols i els Arcs was built between 1770 and 1778. Under it, there used to be an ancient temple. It was made in honour of Santa Caterina virgin and martyr.

The style of the building is Baroque. It is not very overelaborated. The floor is a Greek floor. Is has three spacious naves. The cruiser does not jut out, and it has a beautiful dome of half sphere on the top that lays over four shells. The principal naves are covered with vaults "de canó" with windows, and by vaults "de arista" the lateral ones.

The architectonic ornaments inside the building are moderate, so as to respect the importance of the whole space. In general terms, it follows the classical models with respect to the proportions, although it tends to the "rococo" in the sense of how its forms are.

The belfry is 36 metres high. It can be seen from almost everywhere in the township.

Following the influences of the "Concilio Vaticano II", the church was cleaned and painted in white. All the altarpieces were taken out, and the same happened to the images and ornaments that Mosén Josep Ma.Cabré believed there were excessive.

La Casa de la Vila

It was built for the Torell Family in the final years of the 16th.century, and in 1884 it was bought by the Corporació Municipal, which paid 12.500 pesetas in cash. The money was collected from the sold of the old Casa Comunal, and from taxing the inhabitants.

Right of the village, from the Plaça de l'Església, we can observe the Tower of Defense, which used to be used as a prison during the Guerra Civil.

Can Nicolau

It was built in the firsts years of the 18th.century. It is a beautiful building that contains three floors, and the garret. We have to mention its chapel and oratory, and also its library.

Casa Sant Josep

In the south-east side of the township, there is the Casa de Sant Josep. It belongs to the congregation de la Salle. It is a rectangular building, with wide courts and gardens. It was destined to the aspirant, but from some years ago on, it has become the geriatric residence of the members of la congregation. In the middle of the house, there is a wide and beautiful chapel with a single nave, which imitates the Gothic style.

- Pagaroles i Sabaté, Laureà .- "Guia de Vinyols i els Arcs".- Tarragona: Diputació, 1982.
- Pagaroles i Sabaté, Laureà .- "Fonts per a la Història del Baix Camp. L'exemple de Vinyols i els Arcs". En: Penell. Revista d'Història, nº 1, 1984, p.: 25-41.
- Revista local: "El Replà".