Cities, Towns and Villages in Catalonia

© Joan Capdevila. GZ

1

2

3

© JOAN PUIG. GZ

© RAMON GABRIEL. GZ

4

This route crosses some of the most representative historical scenes of the history of the High Middle Ages in Catalonia. On the one hand, corners that belonged to the ancient Taifa kingdoms of Lleida and Tortosa, awalkalong millenary borders

From Tortosa to Siurana 97 km From Siurana to Lleida 70 km From Lleida to Montsonís 50 km

Get to know the history The route begins in Tortosa to visit the castle of La Zuda, a large Andalusian fortress that occupies the central hill of the old city and emerges among other buildings in the historic centre. This watchtower, a citadel in Arabic times and royal residence in the times of Jaume I, is today a Parador de Turismo and a magnificent viewpoint of the city. From Tortosa the route continues towards Siurana , a charming village surrounded by spectacular cliffs, where the remains of the Arab castle are located, the scene of the last days of the Muslim kingdoms in Catalonia. The last bastion Lleida also preserves the legacy of the past in the Moreria neighbourhood, where the Muslims lived, and the Cuirassa neighbourhood, where the Jews lived. The cathedral, La Seu Vella, was built over the old Mosque and the castle of El Rei or la Suda, refuge of the last Caliph of Cordoba. After visiting Lleida , you can finish the route discovering some of the border castles in the area. In Montsonís , for example, you can enter the castle that defended the border between Nova Catalonia (new Catalonia) and Vella Catalonia (old Catalonia) for 125 years, until the definitive conquest of Lleida in 1149.

for further information about Siurana pg. 122 Lleida pg. 70 Montsonís pg. 124

where the legacy of Islamic culture is preserved after so many years. On the other hand, some border castles located on both sides of the Marca Hispánica (March of Barcelona), the line that since the end of the 18 th century identified the border between the territory of

Montsonís

Lleida

1. visitors to the castle of the king of Lleida. 2. the village of Siurana,

al-Àndalus and the Carolingian empire.

Siurana

on the reservoir of the same name. 3. the fortress of

the widow in Tortosa. 4. Montsonís castle.

Tortosa

© CARLOS MONTANYES. GZ

138 /

/ 139

En route

En route