Ciutadilla: Castle, Convent and Sant Roc

Ciutadilla is home to a medieval fortress dating from the 11th century. At the end of the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt and converted into a residential palace. Its keep comprises seven floors. The windows of the keep are Renaissance windows. Their design is influenced by Gothic architecture. The castle offers panoramic views over the surrounding area.

The castle thus combines the medieval origins of the fortress with its later conversion into a residential palace. Its keep reveals seven floors and the distinctive design of the windows. The Renaissance windows with Gothic influence add a clearly visible architectural detail to the historical development of the complex.

History

The Convent del Roser was founded in 1582 by Gispert de Guimerà. The complex is designed in the Renaissance style. Late Gothic elements are part of its architecture. The rose window belongs to the convent church. A bell tower is another component. Gargoyles are also among the architectural details. A pulpit bears heraldic motifs. The surviving remains of the Convent del Roser reveal the layout of the church and some exterior structures. These exterior structures are connected to the monastic rooms. The courtyard is also connected to the exterior structures.

The Convent del Roser thus brings together its foundation in 1582, Renaissance design and Late Gothic architectural elements. The rose window, bell tower, gargoyles and pulpit are among the complex's various details. The surviving remains also make it possible to understand the connection between the church, exterior structures, monastic rooms and courtyard.

The parish church of Sant Miquel lies almost at the highest point of Ciutadilla. It is located at the foot of the castle. The church building dates from the 17th century. The parish church contains a Gothic sarcophagus. A statue lies on it. The sarcophagus belonged to the Guimerà family.

Culture

Casa Valls displays restored agricultural spaces. These spaces include oil and wine presses. Grain stores are also among them. The restored facilities also include a cellar, a stable and a pantry. The Espai de la Vida Rural at Casa Valls also serves as a gallery. The gallery displays works by artists. They live in the Vall del Corb. Admission to Casa Valls is free.

Casa Valls thus preserves various aspects of former agricultural life in restored spaces. The gallery in the Espai de la Vida Rural complements these spaces with contemporary works by artists from the Vall del Corb. Within Casa Valls, agricultural equipment and regional art therefore stand side by side. Free admission is explicitly part of the offering.

Geographical setting

The Sant Roc hermitage was built out of gratitude after the cholera epidemic of 1720. It stands on the Sant Roc plains. The hermitage is 3 km from Ciutadilla. Its location is at an elevation of 628 metres. On Easter Monday, the people of Ciutadilla make a pilgrimage to the Sant Roc hermitage.

The Sant Roc plains thus connect the location of the hermitage with its distance from Ciutadilla and the elevation of 628 metres. Their origins are connected with the cholera epidemic of 1720. On Easter Monday, this place gains recurring religious significance through the pilgrimage of the people of Ciutadilla.

The local hiking trail is called SL La Bovera i el Riu Corb. It runs through the municipal areas of Ciutadilla and Guimerà.

More local pages: Castellbò, Alpicat, Sarroca De Bellera, Guimerà, Estamariu, Alcarràs, Prulláns, La Noguera

To the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.