Following the studies of Mr.E.Toda, the origin of the village is found in the "Partida del Vilar", near where the village is situated now.

During the first part of the 12th.century, the village belonged to the "Valiat" of Siurana. Vilanova was not included in the donation of Ramon Berenguer III to the Obispo Oleguer, which happened in 1118.

The village was a part of the Barony of Escornalbou, and it was an active member of the "Comuna del Camp" from 1339 on.

During the "Guerra dels Segadors" the village was affected by the presence on the soldiers and the sacking of the harvests. When the war ended, the economic conditions were very bad until the beginning of the 18th.century. During these years, the presence of the Castilian, Italian and Flemish soldiers was constant.

In 1687 there was a plague of locusts that affected the county. To overcome it, it appeared the "Vot Sant Agustí" in 1688.

During the 18th.and 19th.centuries, there was and demographic and economic increase, but after the disaster of the philloxera, it started a decrease that has not ended yet.

In Vilanova, the federal ideology was the dominant in the second half of the 19th.century, as it happened in other villages of the Barony. In fact, after the exile of the Queen Isabel II, it appeared a republican demonstration, which worked in favour of the Federal party in the elections in 1869.

Vilanova d'Escornalbou celebrates its Feasts on the 20th.and 22nd.of January (San Sebastián's Day). In August, there is a meeting of "Sardanes", and the Major Feast takes place on the 28th.and 30th.of August, in honour to San Agustín.

The structure if the urban nucleus is like a closed village of the Middle Ages. In it, we can see some buildings with doors with voussoirs, mostly built between the 18th.and 19th.centuries.

The Parish Church of San Juan Bautista was built over an old one, which dated from the 17th.century. The inside part was burnt during the Civil War in 1936. Two Baroque paintings were saved by the Town Hall.

An important building in the village is the "Casa Pairal Cal Peirí". It belonged to the Families Peirí, Portell and Bellester, which won the title of illustrious citizens.

Another building to think about is the one known as "Mas de la Palomera". It belonged to the Peirí family. It was built in the 18th.century, in a golden age of the village and the whole Barony.

The Watchtower, which is also called "Reiet del Camp", and a square floor. It has a door with a voussoir, which dates from 1699.

- Maristany i Tió, Carles.-"Guia de Vilanova d'Escornalbou."-Tarragona: Diputació, 1983.
- Brocà, salvador de.- "Riudecanyes i la Baronia d'Escornalbou."- Riudecanyes: Fundació Loaiza-Vidiella, 1986.