MAYTE VISITS MONTBLANC IN LA CONCA DE BARBERÀ

Today, The Grandma has received news from Mayte, one of her closest friends.

Mayte has visited Montblanc, the capital of La Conca de Barbera county, and she has shared her memories and photos with The Grandma.

 

Montblanc is the capital of the Catalan county Conca de Barberà. The Prades Mountains are located in the vicinity of this town. The municipality comprises the settlements of Montblanc, La Guàrdia dels Prats, Lilla, Prenafeta, Rojals, and El Pinetell.

The area around Montblanc has been inhabited for thousands of years. Evidence of cave dwellings have been found dating back to Palaeolithic times.

From the 4th to the 1st century BC Iberian villages existed on Santa Bàrbara hill. These villages coexisted with the early Roman settlers. Evidence of Roman artifacts have been found which date from between the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD.

After the invasion by the Moors in 711 AD, much of the area became dominated by a patchwork of Islamic fiefdoms. The Islamic invasion initiated a long period of very successful agricultural and commercial development. This was responsible for the birth of many towns and villages in the region which still retain their Islamic names.
The 10th and 11th centuries seem to have been a period of relatively peaceful coexistence in which Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in the region of Montblanc. This productive period continued until an allegiance of forces, strongly supported by the Roman Catholic Church, initiated an era of expulsions, which forced Muslims and Jews to leave the Iberian peninsula.

Maties Palau Ferré (1921-2000), painter and sculptor, disciple of Pablo Picasso, was born and died in Montblanc.

More information: Catalunya

An important legend was collected by the Catalan writer about customs and manners  Joan Amades who placed the fight of Saint George and the dragon in front of Montblanc town walls.

A long time ago a fierce dragon frightened the people in Montblanc. It ate up the pasture animals to such an extent to threaten the town’s population. So as to avoid the attack of the beast it was decided to give it a person every day. There was a draw among the population, the king’s family was included in it, and the destiny  wanted the king’s daughter to be the  person chosen. When she was going to be swallowed  by the dragon a horseman appeared and saved her of being killed by the dragon. The horseman was Saint George. At the place where the dragon poured out its blood a rosebush with red roses grew. Since then it has been maintained the Catalan tradition in which men give a red rose to their beloved women.

Every year, coinciding with St. George day (23rd April) Montblanc organises a Medieval Week. During two weekends the town revives its medieval origin and the streets, squares and towers are embellished with the noble flags and standards. There are a lot of activities that transport the visitors back to the Middle Age: the performance of  Saint George's legend, the scenes of medieval life, the medieval supper, a concentration of dragons and fire, the medieval market, the performance of the Catalan Courts and so on…

The Medieval Week of Saint George has turned into the most important and most famous celebration in Montblanc. It has been designated as a Festival of National Tourist interest in Catalonia.

More information: Montblanc Medieval

 Advance our standards, set upon our foes;
Our ancient word of courage, fair Saint George,
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons!

William Shakespeare