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 CASTLEAs 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 TOWERAfter 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 CASTLEIn 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 CASTLEBefore 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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