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The monumental site of Mur (castle and canon of Santa Maria) is situated on top of a hill dominating the valley of the Noguera Pallaresa, on the right bank of the river, opposite the village of Llimiana. After passing through the gorge of Terradets in the direction of Tremp there is a road on the left-hand side which leads to Guàrdia de Noguera (and which follows on to Sant Esteve de la Sarga). After two kilometres the sign indicates a right turn to go up to the monumental site of Mur. Today access is easy, as work has been done on the road. The castle is on the crest of a hill, and nearby is the canon of Santa Maria. The site is ideal, and its majesty makes a visit almost obligatory. This castle assumed great military importance in the context of the lands of Pallars, and although its origins are lost in time, there is a written reference from the middle of the 10th Century (concretely in the year 969) from a document mentioned by Pare Villanueva (Viaje literario a las Iglesias de España, vol. XII, pages 70-76). For its part work began on the church of Santa Maria between 1057 and 1060 by the counts Ramon V de Pallars Jussà and Valença, daughter of Arnau Mir de Tost. Thanks to considerable contributions, both human and material, it was soon finished and on the 12th January 1069 was consecrated by the bishop Guillem de Urgell. From this church come the fabulous mural paintings which today are divided between the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston (those from the central apse —sold for 7,500 pesetas, according to the copy consulted—) and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia (those corresponding to a side altar). The recovery and restoration work of this site have made it a place that must be visited. The church, both inside and out, the cloisters (the layout of the church vestibule, with capitals still retain sculptured decoration) and the walled enclosure of the ancient canon are truly marvellous. On the side of the church that faces the rising sun two of the original apses can be seen, but the third (on the northern side) collapsed many years ago. Besides Santa Maria, the image of the Sant Crist de Mur has received much attention and devotion. On the first Sunday in May the grand gathering of Mur takes place, wherein the municipality receives a solemn blessing, among canticles and the waving of banners in the wind. It can be accessed by vehicle. The keys must be requested in the village of Guàrdia in order to visit the inside. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
Isona (El Pallars Jussà - Spain) is situated at an altitude of 658 m, on the left bank of the Noguera Pallaresa, by the road connecting Tremp with Artesa de Segre. Isona is one of the most well-known and historically rich places in this comarca (local district). The sanctuary of the Mare de Déu de la Posa is located on the outskirts of the town. To get there take the road leading from Isona towards Bóixols and, on arriving at the junction with the road leading to Abella de la Conca, take the track on the opposite side which leads to the sanctuary. The track is in good condition and is pleasant to follow. It seems that the available documentary evidence of this sanctuary dates from the 18th Century, when reference is made to the chapels belonging to the temple of Isona, but the visible remains indicate that it could be from the end of the 11th Century. Furthermore, it should also be mentioned that an ancient Roman altar stone with inscriptions of the god Mercury is what serves as the altar in this sanctuary. La Posa is fruit of various building processes. The eastern wall conserves a semicircular apse which is the only vestige of the original construction (11th – 12th Century). There used to be a brotherhood of the Virgin, dating from 1606, which lasted until the 19th Century. The pilgrimage to La Posa takes place on Easter Monday. Dinosaur tracks can be seen next to the hermitage. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
Tremp is the centre of the basin of the same name, which it presides with stateliness and grace. It is the capital of the comarca of El Pallars Jussà (Spain). Tremp and the whole of the surrounding region was opened up to the outside world with the arrival of the Canadenca, during the first decade of the 20th Century. One of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the life of its inhabitants has been the devotion for the Mare de Déu de Valldeflors, venerated in the town’s old collegiate church, now basilica. The tradition says that one winter the patron saint made the brambles in the valley behind the church flower, and the inhabitants interpreted this as a divine message. They looked for and found the original image, which they called Valldeflors because it was found in the valley behind the church due to the bramble flowers. At the very beginning of the 15th Century a terrible fire completely destroyed the main altar and also the image of the Virgin, which was devoutly venerated. That is why today a graceful figure is venerated, a fine and majestic carving which has nothing to do with that found previously. Even so the present image is of great value. In the year 1936, just before squads of outsiders profaned the temple, conscious and loving hands took the image from its usual place on the altar and hid it in a corner inside the vestry, underneath a pile of rubble. This saved it from more than certain destruction. After the first moments, and those of the greatest destruction in this area, the art recovery services of the Generalitat were alerted, who came to take it in their charge. On the 1st July 1937 specialized staff picked up the patron saint of Tremp to take it to a safe place. This place was the cave of Sant Ignasi de Manresa, which, owing to the vicissitudes of the war, had become a religious museum. Its artistic value earned it a pre-eminent position in the Gothic hall of this museum. And yet another thing, the grace and litheness of its carving led it to be designated and known by the name that proclaimed its high rank: the the Pubilla. In May 1938 it was sent to Barcelona, in order to be included in the artistic treasure that at the time was destined to be taken abroad. Circumstances changed and it did not get to cross the border. After the war ended it was taken to Barcelona, to the centre of artistic classification. From there it was recovered and returned to Tremp in August 1939. Today it can be visited in its basilica. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
