Argençola

The municipality of Argençola, in the Anoia region, is the fourth largest in the region. It comprises eight population centers: Argençola, Clariana, Carbasí, Contrast, Plans de Ferran, Porquerisses, Santa Maria del Camí, and Rocamora, and two uninhabited areas: Albarells and La Goda. It is located in the westernmost part of the region, bordering La Segarra and Conca de Barberà.

As the capital of the municipality, Argençola is notable for its neoclassical church dedicated to Sant Llorenç, built with stones from the old church dating back to the 11th century. It is located at the foot of what are now the remains of Argençola Castle.

The center of Carbasí is separated from Argençola by the Molí de les Vinyes torrent and the Anoia river.

Clariana, considered the second historical center of the municipality, has its core around the church of Santa Maria de Clariana, where part of the wall and a tower of the old castle are still preserved.

The village of Albarells also preserves the church of Sant Martí, which was renovated in the 17th century, as well as the remains of the old paper mill and the dam used.

The village of Contrast is characterized by a round medieval tower attached to one of the farmhouses, Cal Cortès, and by the small Romanesque church of Sant Maure. In the village of Plans de Ferran, there is a dolmen.

The town of Porquerisses is known, above all, because the old Royal Road runs through its territory, a route recognized as part of the Camino de Santiago that goes from Montserrat to Logroño.

Rocamora had once belonged to the Montserrat monastery, and nearby are what are likely the remains of the old Rocamora castle, known as the Sant Jaume de Viladaspis fortification. A section of the wall and some of the town's old houses are still standing.

In addition, the municipality has an association called El Trill, formed by a group of residents from the different villages of Argençola. Its aim is to preserve and promote the natural, cultural, and traditional heritage.

Each village celebrates its own main festival. In the case of Argençola, it is celebrated on August 10th, the feast day of Sant Llorenç.

Places of interest

Church of Sant Llorenç

At the foot of the castle, the church of Sant Llorenç was consecrated in 1891 to replace the old parish church, documented since 1032 and located slightly lower than the current one. Stones from the castle were reused in the construction of the new church.

The building is Neoclassical in style, although its slender bell tower, visible from afar, still maintains the Baroque tradition. Inside, several disc-shaped stelae from the old cemetery are preserved.

Argençola Castle

Argençola Castle was built in the early 11th century by Màger, a lord who owned other lands in the southern part of the region. Located atop a hill, it allowed him to control the roads between the Conca d'Òdena, the Conca de Barberà, and La Segarra. The town of Argençola grew up around it.

The fortress was adapted to the terrain and consisted of two walled enclosures. The upper section still contains the remains of a circular tower and other structures, including what was probably a cistern. The lower section houses the church of Sant Llorenç, which must have originally formed part of the defensive complex.

After Màger, the castle passed through the hands of several families, such as the Queralt and the Argençola, who received the title of Marquesses in 1702. Its period of greatest importance was between the late 10th and early 11th centuries, when it protected access to Christian territories against Muslim incursions. Despite this, in 1032 the Saracens attacked Argençola, devastating the surrounding area and taking numerous prisoners.