Porrera belonged to Siurana until 1770, when it was given to Albert de Castellvell, who in 1711 gave it to the Priorate of Sant Vicenç del Garraf excluding the mines in the area.

In 1180, Alfons the 1st donated the valley to Pere de Déu,which caused a dispute with the Priorate of Garraf. The latter won the dispute in 1203, and in 1263, donated it to the Carthusians but, The people in Porrera never accepted to pay the high taxes imposed by the monastery. In 1835, many people from Porrera took part in the plunder and arson of the Carthusian Monastery.

During the 13th century, the village had a castle with walls around it.

In 1462, the Generalitat recruited men from Porrera to fight the king's army. During the Succession War, the town supported Carles of Austria, whose army inflicted a great defeat on its opponent's troops. After the war , a group of men followed 'El Carrasclet' in his guerrilla warfare. In 1718, probably as a reprisal from the government, the city walls and the castle were broken down. During the Napoleonic War, the French occupied and looted Porrera this attack gave a new impulse to the guerrilla that defeated them in 1811.

In the 18th century, Porrera maintained its liberal ideas. In 1822 a period of liberal government, many villages rose protesting about the country's economical situation . The militia in Porrera upheld the Constitution and confronted the rebels but, 1500 of this men attacked the village and burnt it down. After that incident the place was given a special treatment by the Spanish government.

Along the centuries Porrera earned itself the reputatio of 'the most rebellious city in Catalunya' but, History has also proved that the village has always fought for liberty.

The Town Festival falls on Sant Joan Evangelista's Day (May 6).

The second Sunday in November Porrera celebrates Sant Francesc d`Assís'Day with many social events.

On Sant Blai's Day, it is a tradition to eat the 'rotllo', a typical cake filled with blanc-mange.

Despite the continuous wars and fights that destroyed the village, Porrera has built and rebuilt its buildings and kept its noble and proud appearance. The sumptuous buildings, the wide streets and the rivers evoke its glorious past.

The most remarkable building in the Neoclassical parish church of Sant Joan Evangelista built between 1763 and 1711.

Visitors should not miss the hermitage of Sant Antoni Abad built in 1610 on top of a craggy hill, and also the route along the sundials spread all over the village.

-Asens, Joan.- Guia del Priorat.- Tarragona: Edic. Llibreria La Rambla, 1981

-Anguera, Pere/ M. Aragonés.- El Priorat de la Cartoixa d'Escaladei i Santes Creus: Fundació Roger de Belfort, 1985

-Revista : La Veu del Priorat.