The village probably got its name from a family of the same name. The Gradells, a Tortosa family famous since the 12th century, received this settlement as a gift from Ramon Berenguer IV, who reconquered the village in the 14th century.
It was probably an attempt by those in power to stimulate agriculture by promoting the development of an intact village center in order to improve economic conditions compared to the competition.
A second theory states that it was possibly a checkpoint on the Roman road that passed here. What is striking is that efforts were made to build the settlement as far away from the coast as possible, protected by the rugged rock massif.
Since the settlement was exposed to constant pirate attacks, a tower was to be built to protect it. On January 28, 1370, the council of the city of Tortosa announced: "Let us build a tower in the village of the Giradells, and let the city add six hundred sous." However, construction did not begin until 1383. It was carried out by the builders Romeu Pallarès, Ferrer Puig and Berte Pallarès performed. How much the tower cost and who ultimately financed it is not known. There are also no drawings or paintings of the building.
Today the tower and the original village have long since disappeared; new houses have been built on the archaeological remains, but they are now largely derelict. Only goats and goats still live in the old stables.