Ardenya was part of La Comuna del Camp and, in 1365-70 it belonged to Bernat de Gallifa and was integrated in the vast territory of the castle of Ullastrell.

Ardenya had its own parish until 1842, when it was aggregated to La Riera (municipality formed in 1769 by La Riera and Virgili). In the 17th century, it belonged to the cathedral of Tarragona. The church worships Sant Jordi, the town's patron saint . There is also a Romanesque church in the village.

Virgili was an independent municipality until the 19th century. The village is located on top of a hill east of La Riera. A census from 1365-70 indicated that the place belonged to Ramon de Vilafranca.