Getaways

This is a series of visit to the district of l’Anoia, where some of the most important historical figures in our history used to live, following the routes you will find in the app, “Anoia, Terra de Castells”.

When the territory no longer formed the border with Muslim-held lands, castles became the administrative centres for the new lords' feudal dominions. This tour guides you through the various settings where, in the 13th century, agreements were made, and internal struggles took place, amongst the Claramunt family, the Cardona family, king Jaume I and the church which, taken together, constituted a series of interconnected events that would have a determining influence on the castles of l'Anoia and its inhabitants.

At each castle you can learn about the history of each of the main characters, such as Guillem II de Claramunt, Gueraua de Jorba, Jaume I el Conqueridor, Guillem Sescorts and Berenguer Santa Oliva, the abbot of the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.
 
CASTELLOLÍ CASTLE

This castle, the property of Guerau de Castellolí, was inherited by his granddaughter Gueraua de Jorba, together with Òdena castle. Gueraua married Guillem I de Cardona and this would open the doors to a source of power that would culminate under the rule of her son, Ramon Folc IV de Cardona. Would you like to know how this story ends and what happened in the following years? You can find out at Castellolí castle. Outside the castle you will be able to see some of the walls and the remains of barrel vaults, a four-sided tower and the remains of the former Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç.
 
CLARAMUNT CASTLE

Claramunt castle, an imposing structure located at an altitude of 461 metres on the top of the Guàrdia mountain range, was the residence of the Claramunt family for centuries. Between the end of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th the counts of Barcelona entrusted the Claramunts with the defence of l'Anoia against Muslim incursions. Despite having always been on the side of the counts of Barcelona during the 12th and 13th centuries, the relationship took a turn for the worse when Guillem II de Claramunt took part in a rebellion against Jaume I and the Cardona family. If you would like to learn more about this, visit Claramunt castle where you can take a guided tour.
 
PIERA CASTLE

In 1265, Guillem Sescorts was appointed by king Jaume to be the administrator of Piera castle, also known as the castle of Jaume I or Fontanet castle. In return Jaume I expected the family to receive and provide hospitality for his court whenever necessary. Here you can also learn about the reign of Jaume I after his conquest of Mallorca, during which Guillem II de Montcada i Bearn and Guillem de Claramunt, who were accompanying him, lost their lives. Jaume I was then able to impose his leadership and reign in the powers of the Montcada, Cardona and Claramunt families. Guided tours are available.
 
If you can spend a longer time in the area surrounding Igualada you could also visit the castles in Òdena, Cabrera, Bedorç and Freixe.

For more information about all these histories use the “Anoia, Terra de Castells” app during your visits. You can download it for iOS and Android.


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