The heirs of Guifré el Pilós, Wilfred the Hairy | Cultural Heritage. Goverment of Catalonia.

Getaways

Vistes des de la Torre de la Manresana - Foto: Per Parer / Museu d'Història de Catalunya

Route map

The heirs of Guifré el Pilós, Wilfred the Hairy

Take a stroll through the settings where the count's heirs defended the land
Here are a series of possible getaways in the district of Anoia, where some of the most important figures in our history lived. You can find the routes using the Anoia, Terra de Castells, or Anoia, Land of Castles, app.

The first takes you to the settings that formed the backdrop against which the heirs of Guifré el Pilós defended the land against Abd Al-Malik and the caliphate of Cordova. Guifré II of Cerdanya, Ermessenda of Carcassone, Guerau de Jorba, Abbot Oliva, Guillem de Balsareny, Ramon Folc I and Bernat Amat of Claramunt were some of the nobles, bishops and warriors who took up the mantle from Guifré el Pilós in what is today the district of Anoia.
 
JORBA CASTLE

As you leave Igualada you could stop first at Jorba castle. This castle was one of Guerau de Jorba's many properties. He was a wealthy man who, at the age of just 20, became the count of Barcelona's personal counsellor. You can find out about the whole story of the castle, and there is a guided tour around the exterior upon request.
 
THE MANRESANA TOWER

After visiting Rubió castle, where you can find out about the life of Ramon Folc I, and Segur castle, where you can find out about the Claramunt family, you will come to Manresana castle. The wall's foundations are all that is left today, along with a room and the tower, which was renovated in the 12th century. When Bernat Guifré de Balsareny died, his possessions, this being amongst them, passed to his widow, Guasca.
 
SANT ESTEVE CASTLE

In 1003, the count of Barcelona, Ramon Borrell, led an expedition to Lleida, which met defeat at the battle of Albesa after Abd al-Malik's response was to send 17,000 men, resulting in the destruction of Castellolí. Three years later, when Abd al-Malik wanted to attack again, Guifré II had already learned the lesson. You can find out how the story ends at Sant Esteve castle, the property of the counts of Cerdanya, in Castellfollit de Riubregós.
 
BOIXADORS CASTLE

Before you arrive in Sant Pere de Sallavinera, where Boixadors castle is located, you could stop off at Calonge castle, where Arnulf, the bishop of Vic, and the brother of the viscount of Osona-Cardona and Calaf, died. At Boixadors castle you can find out what became of Eribau, the viscount and bishop of Urgell.
 
To find out more about all the histories mentioned here you can use the Anoia, Terra de Castells (Anoia Land of Castles) app during the course of your visit. You can download it for iOS and Android.


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