Day Seven -Cardona

... and suddenly, you manage to see it at the top of the hill. It is an impressive IXth century castle, dominating the valley of the river Cardoner and the Salt Mountain. Would you like to conquer it? (from the Parador site)

The Parador is located on a headland, in a fortified 9th century enclosure in which there is also the 2nd century Minyona tower and an 11th century church, representative elements of the Catalan Romanesque from nearby. There are exceptional panoramic views of the town and the lands bathed by the river Cardoner. Moats, towers, walls and Gothic elements give off a distinct medieval feel.

The buildings date from the second century, and added on to by the most powerful dynasty ruling during the tenth and seventeenth centuries - The Folch dynasty, heir to Charlemagne. The area was known as 'Marca Hispanica' Border between the Spanish and Muslim territories.

The surrounding area has much to offer, unfortunately, we arrived one afternoon, and left later the next morning. But they have a Carnival in February, a big agricultural exhibition/fair. In September they have their 'Corre de Bou' Running of the Bull, which is a 500 year old festival here. In the fall they have menus built around the abundance of mushrooms here. Inside the Fortress is the next draw - Sant Vicenc de Cardona - the 10th century Romanesque-Lombard style church.

Several shots of the Cloister area outside the actual church built in the 11th Century. The Arches are impressive and typical of that period of time

View of the old town of Cardona from the Parador. We ran over there for dinner, but after a brief, creepy, walk about, we couldn't find anything that looked inviting, so we drove back to the Parador for dinner.

Some of the Romanesque arches within the interior of the church. Apparently this church is considered the 'masterpiece of early Romanesque style in Catalonia, and one of the most important of it's period in Europe, due to it's structural perfection and complexity'. This is shot from the second floor within the Church, above the entrance and looking down on the right side of the church, towards the Central Chancel.

These two shots, the entrance to the walk way upstairs (boy was that a tight fit both step, hip, and height wise) and the view of the church from upstairs on the left side, show both it's size and the sizing that they built these things. These people were pretty small - no way a 6 foot knight in Armor was moving up and down those stairs with ease!

Here is a shot of the central chancel from the entrance area, and a close up of the central chancel area with the hanging cross. Right in front is the entrance to the crypt. On either side of the central chancel are tombs of Ferran Joan Ramon Folc (died 1543), the second duke of cardona, and his wife, Francisca. And the tomb of Joan Ramon Folc (died 1442), second count of Cardona.

Here is one of the tombs mentioned above.

Brief Time line: In 798, Louis the Pious sets the first frontier of the Reconquest. The castle is already standing. 980, first word of the existence of the church of Sant Vicenc. Five years later it is believed the castle was attacked and partly destroyed by the troops of Al-Mansur. 1029, work begins on the building of the church of Cardona, the church is consecrated in October 23,1040. 1154, after many years of struggle and through a bull from Pope Anastasius IV, the church obtains it's independence. 12th Century, there were twenty members of the church, consisting of twelve monks, priests, and participants such as the curates of Santa Maria and Sant Joan. 14th Century, the beginning of the century sees the monastery in decline, poor administration by the abbot, and the prior, leaves the building in ruins, and hence some struggles with the Bishop of Urgell. 1693, The Generalitat turns the castle into a huge fortification with artillery. 1794, the church is turned into barracks, after a series of catastrophic events. 1810, new fortifications are raised. 1962, restoration work begins on the collegiate church. 1975, restoration work begins on the Pardor.