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Cervera is the capital of La Segarra (Spain). The town of Cervera, called "the noble, illustrious and incomparable", is placed on a hill, on the Coll de les Savines, which in its day housed a temple and an image of the same name. The parish church of Santa Maria, situated behind the main square, is the most important religious building in the town and constitutes a notable example of Catalan Gothic. There are three naves, the central one wider and taller than the lateral ones. On the inside the temple measures 50 metres in length, 22.5 m wide without the lateral chapels, and is 22 metres high. Originally the church was named after Saint Martin, but in the 12th Century it acquired its present name. The stained glass windows of greatest artistic value were made in 1413 by the French master Colí (Nicoli) de Maraya, but the jewel of this temple is undoubtedly the image of the Mare de Déu del Coll de les Savines which presides the main altar, a 13th Century Romanesque carving cut in wood, and venerated as the patron saint of the town. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful images of Catalonia of its period. Duran i Sanpere states that it is known as the Mare de Déu del Coll because the parish church of Cervera stands on a hill (coll). Tradition says that apparently there was a hermitage dedicated to the Virgin before the present temple was built. The first known report of the construction of the present temple dates from the beginning of the 14th Century, although because of its magnitude the work lasted throughout that century and for part of the next. The cost of building the grandiose temple was paid by the town and the guilds. Many nobles made monetary contributions while other inhabitants contributed with their personal services. In 1358 the main altar, was consecrated and in the mid-15th Century the work was practically finished. The building is connected to the Església (church) dels Dolors and the town hall. Worthy of special mention is the existence of the ancient Romanesque doorway (over the Plaça del Fossar) and the doorway de les Novies, which is the one normally used nowadays. Together with the two previously mentioned buildings are the chapel of the Sant Misteri and the octagonal bell tower, which is an important visual landmark of Cervera. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
The town of Iesso, which the Romans established on a plain between the rivers Sió and Llobregós, and after the transformations carried out by the passage of history, has reached us today as Guissona (La Segarra - Spain). Nevertheless, its origin must date from even further back, if the relative abundance of Iberian tombs found nearby is anything to judge by. The Roman town of Iesso, established along the route of the Segre, between Cervera and Ponts, was possibly the most important town in the Catalan hinterland at that time, after Ilerda. Thereafter, however, it suffered a rapid decline which lasted throughout the Middle Ages and well into the modern era, a decline which did not let up until the 18th Century. In that century in Guissona Baroque buildings and additions began to appear, these being the most important in the comarca (local district), except for those in Cervera. In fact it is inside the parish church of Guissona (ancient collegiate church), which is dedicated to Saint Mary in the mystery of the Assumption, that the altar is found. This altar is a marvellous Baroque piece, where the image of the Virgin del Claustre is venerated, a stone sculpture in a Romanesque popular style which presides over the church. The present 18th Century temple is a reconstructed building, to which all of the inhabitants of Guissona contributed. It appears that the Mare de Déu del Claustre was already venerated by the faithful in 1180, although at the time it was commonly known as the "Mare de Déu de Febrer". The image is in sandstone and measures five palms in height. The Virgin is represented on foot, but the proportions are so disfigured as to make her look seated. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
In the sanctuary of Sant Ramon (La Segarra - Spain) a pilgrimage still takes place which formerly was one of the most popular in the New Catalonia. Everybody who worked with or owned animals attended, as the saint is considered to be the protector of cattle and sheep and others, owing to a miracle he worked during his lifetime. For having come into the world in very unusual circumstances he is also considered to be the advocate of difficult births and the patron saint of midwives. Nowadays, thousands of people congregate from all over Catalonia and from even further afield to walk around the sanctuary three times. The sanctuary of Sant Ramon has been baptized with the nickname "el Escorial de la Segarra". In the place where the monastery now stands there was a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas. According to tradition it was the place where Saint Ramón used to pray while shepherding in the area. On the 19th July 1245 the chapel was bought by the Mercedarian order. This sale conceded all rights over the chapel and the surrounding lands, with the exception of the references enumerated at the time. The original convent that was built beside the hermitage was very poor. It was probably only used as a resting place for beggars on their way between Lleida and Vic. When in 1625 the pope Urban VIII canonized Saint Ramón, the important works were started, including the construction of the old convent. Two years later it was intended to enlarge the church and the convent, but the brotherhood of Sant Nicolás opposed this, alleging that the land that would be occupied was theirs. The Mercedarian community made certain concessions to the brotherhood and in 1674 the work began. The work was not finished until 1730. In the year 1741 the sculptor Pere Costa began the construction of the Baroque altarpiece of the main altar. Then a large convent was considered, but again the brotherhood opposed it. The firm action of Fray Pedro Nolasco Mora, general of the order and bishop of Solsona, was decisive in the construction of the convent which we know today. His shield appears inscribed in stone over one of the bends of the cloister, that which lies over the pilgrims’ door. In 1835 the Mercedarian order was forced to abandon the convent and did not return to it until 1897. Between the years 1936 and 1939 the convent suffered important losses and destruction, and was used as a car workshop. The Baroque altar was destroyed. In 1947 a new altarpiece for the main altar was blessed. The cloisters were also renovated, the corridors were paved and the gardens were tended in 1959. In the following year the remaining relics of the saint were deposited in a new reliquary. Architecturally its Baroque façade is of special note. The four columns of the door are separated from the wall, which is virtually unique in Catalonia. Source and photographic archive: JOAN BELLMUNT I FIGUERAS
