In the year 1700 Carlos II died without descendants. This fact triggered a great international conflict. European powers vied for control of the vast Hispanic empire by proposing their candidates for the crown.
The warlike conflict was reflected in the Spanish Monarchy when the Catalans and most of the kingdoms of the Crown of Aragon supported Archduke Carlos of Austria and the countries of the Hague Alliance. For his part, Felipe de Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, received the support of Castile and France. Thus began in 1702 an international warlike conflict around the succession of the Hispanic monarchy.
Catalonia managed to prolong the resistance until September 11, 1714, when Barcelona fell definitively. More than 20,000 soldiers began the definitive assault on Barcelona. The resistance of the Catalan people forced the Bourbon Army to even use the reserve troops, who had to fight street by street to subdue the city. Finally, after more than 4,000 victims, the Catalan capital surrendered to the invading troops. And a week later, the Castle of Cardona capitulates. The victory of Felipe V supposed the suppression of the governing bodies of the Principality and the imposition of the institutions and laws of Castilla, by the Decree of Nueva Planta, of 1716.
Throughout Catalonia you will find routes and didactic resources to learn and relive the most notable historical episodes of the War of Succession in Catalonia (1702-1714). Are you with us?
Related routes
Trying the 1714 food
Barcelona, Cardona, Cervera ...The main characters in the the siege of 1714
Barcelona, Lleida, Moià ...1714 Route: History and heritage of the War of the Spanish Succession in Catalonia
Barcelona, Cardona, Cervera ...The Academy of the Distrustful
Barcelona, Els Hostalets de PierolaRoute of Catalan art in the 18th century
Arenys de Mar, Barcelona, Les Masies de Voltregà ...The Vigatans' Covenant
Barcelona, Capçanes, La Seu d'Urgell ...Route of the Battle of Prats de Rei
Els Prats de ReiCatalonia before 1714
Barcelona, VicThe coronelas and their battalions in 1714
Barcelona, TortosaBarcelona's defenders guilds in 1714 (Part I)
BarcelonaThe battles of 1714
Barcelona, Cardona, Castellví de Rosanes ...Barcelona defenders Guilds in 1714 (Part II)
BarcelonaAfter the Nova Planta laws
Barcelona, Girona, Lleida ...Events
Saint Àgata in Prats de Lluçanès
31 January …Prats de Lluçanès will commemorate Santa Àgata for another year with several cultural events to commemorate February 5, 1714, the day of Santa Àgata, when Philip V's troops burned the municipality of Prats de Lluçanès…
Miquelets Festival in Olesa de Montserrat
From 2 to 4 OctoberFrom October 2nd to 4th, 2026, Olesa de Montserrat will once again live in the 18th century with one of the most outstanding historical reenactments in Catalonia. For three days, the streets of the old town are transformed to host historical…
1708, The siege of Tortosa
From 24 to 25 OctoberTortosa, July 8, 1708. The city is at the limit of its strength. Victim of a fierce siege, he has resisted against all odds in the Bourbon army with a single objective: the defense of Catalan institutions. On the eve of the battle that will…