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Area: 34 Km² |
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Santa Coloma de Queralt is located in the north of Tarragona, on the plain that borders with the regions of L'Anoia and La Segarra. Although Santa Coloma is included in the administrative region of La Conca de Barberà, the village has always been bonded with the natural region of La Baixa Segarra and its inhabitants have a strong feeling of identification with that region.
The
village has changed its name several times throughout history. It was
formerly known as 'Santa Coloma Samora'.
In the 13th century its name changed into 'Samarca'
or 'de la Marca'. In the period
between 1937-39 the village was known as 'Segarra
de Gaià'.
The origin of Santa Coloma dates from the 10th century and is closely connected with the castle of Queralt (Bellprat, Anoia). A small fortress was built in the village shielded by the Queralt castle. This old fortification is known as 'La Carlania' and lodged the landlords along the centuries.
Until 1213, the village belonged to the Gurb family, who sold their barony (that also included Bellprat, Aguiló, Montargull, Bordell, Rocafort and Rauric) to the Timor family. The Timors changed their last name into Queralt and held their power over those lands until the end of the lordships, in the 19th century.
From the 10th century, the village grew forming two separated centres: La Pobla de Montpaó and La Vila Nova. The current 'Castell dels Comtes' (Counts' castle) was built between these two populated centres. During the 13-14th centuries the two villages joined together thanks to the construction of the city walls. Also the parish church of Santa Maria dates from that period.
In the Medieval Ages, Santa Coloma had an important trading activity with a weekly market every Monday and a very active Jewish community that bequeathed a Jewish quarter.
From the 18th century, the town grew out of its walls and many suburbs were built (Capellans, Cervera, Santa Coloma, Sant Roc and La Plaça de Poblet).
Despite the fact that Santa Coloma belonged to the veguer district of Cervera and the bishopric of Vic, it was included, in 1833, in the province of Tarragona, also, in 1957, the municipality joined the bishopric of Tarragona.
In the nineteen 30's , Santa Coloma reached its highest population peak. In 1936 and 1988 La Generalitat included the village in La Conca de Barberà region.
Other Populated Centres
-Aguiló
The village of Aguiló is located 2km away from Santa Coloma. Towards the end of the 16th century it was the centre of a municipality that included La Pobla de Carivenys, Les Roques and Les masies d'Almenara but was aggregated to Santa Coloma in the last century. The parish church worships Santa Maria.
The remains of the castle of Aguiló are located on a hill that
overlooks the village. The building dates already from the 11th century
and belonged to the Gurbs, the Timors and the Cervellós. The tenants
of the castle in the 12th century were the Aguiló family, one of
the most important families in the area. In the 14th century the castle
belonged to the Queralts.
The Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç d' Aguiló is located on a small hill in the centre of the village. It was built around the 12th-13th centuries. The building is actually a chapel that belongs to the parish church of Santa Maria d' Aguiló. It is formed by a single nave without presbitery covered by a cannon vault.
The hamlet of La Portella is located 5km away from Santa Coloma. Its
Romanesque church worships Sant Miquel de la Portella. It is a single
nave covered by a cannon vault.
In Les Masies d'Almenara there are the remains of the Romanesque church
of Sant Jaume.
- La Pobla de Carivenys
La Pobla is an old hamlet that belonged to the municipality of Aguiló.
- Les Roques d'Aguiló
Les Roques is a hamlet located in the north -east of Santa Coloma. The Requesens family seat has a shield from 1536 on its façade. The Romanesque church of Sant Pere dates from the 11th century.
Bibliography
- CARRERAS TARRAGÓ, Josep Maria: "Santa Coloma de Queralt. Guia monumental i històrica." Ajuntament de Santa Coloma-Associació Cultural Baixa Segarra. Santa Coloma de Queralt. 1997.
- "Catalunya Romànica." Vol. IX, Enciclopèdia Catalana. Barcelona. 1995. pàgs. 524-53.
-SEGURA i VALLS, Joan Prevere; "Història de Santa Coloma de Queralt", Santa Coloma de Queralt, Ajuntament de Santa Coloma de Queralt, 1984.