Cardona -Sant Vicenç

This has been a fortified place already since pre-Roman times, as salt was mined in the valley since around 300BC. A fort was built here by Wilfred the Hairy in 886. In a document from the year 986, Cordona is mentioned in connection with the salt deposits in the municipal area. At that time, the population not only received the mining rights for "Vall Salina", but the place also received market and city rights. Since salt was of great importance as a food preservative, unusual measures were taken to militarily protect the area and the salt mines, and the fortress of Castell de Cardona was expanded.

Since the 10th century, when the noble family Folc de Gardona established their residence in the castle of Cardona, the counts have been of great importance for the further development of the city of salt. The population grew significantly.

This era lasted until the 16th century, when the Compte family settled in Barcelona and Arbeca, as well as in Seville.

After that, the castle became a barracks and the town lost its importance.

Today the castle has been completely renovated and houses a fantastic hotel

paradores.es/en/parador-de-cardona

The Collegiate church of Sant Vicenç, erected 1020-1040, is a great example of the Lombardic/Catalan architecture. To quote Marcel Durliat this is "most important structure of the ’Premier art roman méridional’ in Catalonia".

Between the "palas" and the Collegiate church are the remains of the gothic cloister.