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Barcelona 1714

In 1700 died Carlos II, king of Spain. He had no descendants. This fact

triggered one of the major international conflicts since the European powers

came to dispute the control of the vast Spanish Empire, proposing their own

candidates for the Spanish crown.

Catalan and most of the kingdoms of the Aragon Crown supported the

Archduke Charles of Austria, candidate of the Hague Alliance. On the other

hand, Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, was supported by the

Spanish kingdom and France.

The war lasted, in Europe, from 1701 to 1713. Internationally, the forces of the

two candidates to occupy the Spanish crown were very balanced. This conflict

ended when, in 1711, an unexpected event changed the course of events:

Archduke Charles, after the death of his brother Joseph I, inherited the Austrian

throne, losing the support of England to occupy the Spanish crown. England

was afraid of the excessive power of the Habsburg dynasty in Europe, with the

possible formation of a large Austrian bloc to dominate the European continent.

In Catalonia, the war started in 1705 after the proclamation of Charles III of

Austria, and the conflict passed with variable success until the abandonment of

the Hague Alliance in 1712. But Catalonia still prolongs the resistance until 11

September of 1714, when Barcelona fell, after thirteen months of siege. The

victory of Philip V supposed the abolition of the Catalan government bodies and

the imposition of the Castile institutions and laws through the Decree of Nova

Planta in 1716.

From Cooltur we invite you to visit some of the battlegrounds and

institutional buildings that had an important role in the conflict that

changed Spain's influence in the world and ended with the Catalan

institutions.

Sant Antoni’s Bastion

Sant Antoni’s Bastion was located on the

third enclosure wall that enclosed the

eastern part of the city. It was built facing

the old Portal de Sant Antoni, which opened

at the end of the street of the same name.

By the mid-fourtheenth century the sections

of the wall between la Rambla and the

Tallers street were built. This was the most

important building of this sector, becoming

the triumphal gate of the city used by the

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kings, princes and ambassadors.

This Portal took its names from a

little chapel located near this

construction. This gate was flanked

by two polygonal towers: Sant Urbà

on the right and Sant Ibó on the left.

During the Segadors War (1640-

1652) continued the reforms and

modernization of this gate until a

new Bastion, the Sant Antoni’s

Bastion, was built in 1644.

During the Succession War of Spain

didn’t occur any significant military

action in this bastion, except for the fact

that during the Battle of Montjuic, in

1705, the Borbon reinforcements came

trhough this Bastion. 400 grenadiers

riding, mostly Irish, tried to reinforce the

garrison of the castle. In his ascension

they clashed with the British column

that ran the Austriacist ex-Viceroy of

Catalonia, Prince George of Darmstadt, and due to

language confusion and darkness, managed to

enter the castle with several English prisoners and

slay the Prince.

In the nineteenth century this bastion was brought

down gradually to build Sant Antoni’s market. The

comprehensive reform of this market, in 2009,

exposed the remains of this fortification.

Head over to the southeast by Comte d'Urgell Street to the Ronda de Sant Antoni 62 m Turn left per Sant Antoni Abat Street 230 m Turn right by the Pedró Square 52 m Continue along Hospital Street Go to the roundabout.

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350 m Hospital Street, 73

Hospital de la Santa Creu

In the early fifteenth century, Barcelona

had six small hospitals: Desvilar or

Almoina Hospital, Marcús Hospital, d’en

Colom Hospital, Vilar or Sant Macià

Hospital, Santa Eulàlia Hospital and

Santa Margarida Hospital. These

hospitals were created by religious

orders or individuals. All of them

depended of the Consell de Cent

(Catalan Government) or the Chapter of

the Barcelona’s Cathedral, but the major part of its revenue came from public

charity.

In early 1401, all of these institutions had economic

difficulties. It’s for this reason that the civil

government and the religious authorities decided to

built a new and unique hospital. With this unique

hospital the authorities would improve the

administration and the management of the revenues.

Pope Benedict XIII approve this decision by a bull

who

authorized

the

establishme

nt of the Santa Creu Hospital.

This new hospital, one of the oldest

hospitals in the world, was designed as

a large building with four wings with a

rectangular shape, two floors high and

arranged around a courtyard, following

the model of a cloister. This new

building was built in 1450. During

the eighteenth century this building

was expanded, and throughout the

nineteenth century minor operations

were performed.

During the Spanish Succession

War, in 1706 and 1713-1714, this

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hospital hosted the wounded soldiers of the two armies as it was recorded in

the income books.

Actually, this building is occupied by the Catalunya Library. The Hospital is

located in the Ronda Guinardó.

Go east on Hospital Street to the Canonge Colom Square 250 m Turn right by Les Rambles 18 m Turn left onto Boqueria Street 190 m Turn left on Banys Nous Street 5m Turn right on Call Street 130 m Continue straight onto Sant Jaume Square 28 m Palace of the Generalitat de Catalunya

Diputació General

Initially, the Diputacions del General

were a temporary committees to

collect the tax of the pactum, a pact

between the King, the Cortes and the

earth, designated, for the first time, in

1289.

The new form of warfare of the

fourteenth century created the need to

create a tax system, where all citizens

should pay. This system was created

to supply the economic problems

that the different kingdoms had.

One of the problems that the king

had was the constitutional

system that the Aragon Crown

had. This fact forced the king to

negotiate with the Parliament.

The result of these negotiations,

in 1358 – 1359, the parliament

gave a big economic donation to

finance the long war against Castilla. Also, it was agreed to designate 12

deputies to create the Provincial Council of the General in Catalonia as

representing the three estates who had gathered in Parliament.

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This commission was continuing to raise the taxes in Catalonia and manage

real government debt. The Standing Committee, the Provincial Government of

General de Catalunya, was under the authority of the ecclesiastical deputy,

which was considered the President of the Generalitat.

The institution established its headquarters in

Barcelona. On December 3, 1400

representatives acquired the original house

on Sant Honorat Street, with subsequent

extensions would result in the current Palau

de la Generalitat de Catalunya.

From this period are the Gothic gallery, part

of Sant Honorat (main entrance at the time),

the state rooms on the first floor, the Sant

Jordi chapel and the Gothic facade of the

Carrer del Bisbe, with images by Pere Joan.

The gothic gallery is the best preserved, and

maintains the original form. The Bisbe Street

façade has a door crowned by a crest with

pinnacles, gargoyles and a balustrade with a

rich tracery.

In the late sixteenth century the building was expanded. The expansion, made

by Pere Blai, began in 1597 with the demolition of some houses. The new

façade follows the inspiration of the Italian Renaissance. This building was

finished between 1616 and 1619. The most important part of this construction

was the Sant Jordi’s chapel, located in the centre of the first floor. In the

eighteenth century, this chapel was transformed into the Sant Jordi’s Hall.

The front door of this building is flanked by four plain Doric columns of Roman

origin. These columns were made in Troy and moved to Tarragona.

This government took more

power after 1413. In its economic

and administrative functions, it

was added the implementation of

the decisions agreed in the

Catalan Court. This government

had the jurisdiction of politics,

judicial power and military

control. This fact culminated in

several wars against the crown

along the XVI-XVII centuries.

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As regards its role during the War of Succession, the Archduke Charles of

Austria, already become Carlos III, called the Cortes at the Sant Jordi’s Salon in

1705. In those sessions the new king restored many privileges, uses and

Catalan customs. The operation of the institution responded to a republican

conception of politics based on consensus through dialogue and representation

of all sectors involved.

Head over to the northeast by Sant Jaume Square to the Bisbe Street 15 m Turn right at Ciutat Street 48 m Ciutat Street 1

Casa de la Ciutat

This is a Gothic facade of the city council. This façade was

made in 1399 by Arnau Bargués. During the XIX century,

when it was built the main façade in Sant Jaume Square,

this part of the building was close to be destroyed. The

works of demolition were stopped thanks to the protests of

the Bones Lletres Academy and the Royal Academy of Fine

Arts of Sant Jordi. Unfortunately this façade was mutilated,

where the door was

shifted to the right.

The Consell de Cent

was the civil

government during the war in 1714. As

it was a tradition during a war, the

Santa Eulalia flag was raised on the

windows. This flag was picked up for

the battle in three occasions: 26

January 1641 for the Montjuic Battle, in

1706 for the Montjuic Battle, and during

the siege of Barcelona on 11

September of 1714, when the Minister

Rafael Casanova was wounded in

battle.

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Head over southeast per Ciutat Street onto Hercules Street 150 m Continue along Regomir Street Destination will be on the left 55 m Regomir Street, 13

Vilana-Perlas Palace

Although it has traditionally been attributed to

Gualbes family, according to Albert Garcia-

Espuche this grand palace was owned by

Ramon de Vilana-Perlas and Camarasa,

Marquis of Rialp, one of the most important-

Austrian nobles of Barcelona of the early

eighteenth century.

The building occupies a large plot and maintains

the structure of the palace of the XIV century

with patio, two towers and gallery, as well as

some original features. It is especially

remarkable the baroque portal of the early

eighteenth century.

Vilana-Perlas was appointed Secretary of

Universal Office of Carlos III in 1707 and

awarded the title of Marquis of Rialp in 1710.

Until 1713, Vilana-Perles lived in this Palace.

After the defeat of 1714, this building was

occupied by José Patiño, mayor of Catalonia

in 1713 and president of the Government.

José Patiño was one of the architect of the

Nova Planta Decree.

Head over to the southeast by Regomir Street onto Correu Vell Street 100 m Turn left onto Ample Street 65 m Turn right at Fusteria Street 58 m Turn left on Antonio López Square 60 m Turn left on Via Laietana 10m Turn right on Consolat de Mar Street

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88 m Calle del Consolat de Mar, 35

Buildings of Consolat de Mar Street

These arcaded buildings are one

of the few vestiges of the La

Ribera Neighbourhood. The rest

of this neighbourhood was

destroyed after 1714.

These porches were much more

extensive. In this site where

located the workshops of the

carpenters who worked in the

Drassanes (Shipyards).

These porches were toppled during the construction of the Via Laietana in the

XIX century.

Turn to the northeast by Consolat de Mar Street to Orgues Street 51 m Turn right at the Placeta de Palau Destination will be on the left

Llotja de Mar

King Peter the Ceremonious authorized the construction of a closed room

(known as Sala de

Contractacions) to protect

the trader to the weather.

Pere Arvei was the

architect who directed the

work, between 1384 and

1397. This is a large room

separated by three

semicircular arches

supported by four columns.

The roof is made with wood. In 1457 was added an upper floor to situate the

Consulat de Mar. In 1714 this building became the war headquarter.

After the war this building was modernized. In 1775 the Free School of Design

and the Academy of Fine Arts were located in this building.

From 1915 to 1994 he was the headquarters of the Barcelona Stock Market.

Now it is the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona.

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During the Spanish Succession War was

represented the scene of the first

performance of an Italian opera in Spain.

After that, on July 2, 1708, Antonio

Caldara's opera Il più bel nome was

released. In the following months several

operas were sung, some of which were

world premieres.

After the war the operatic activity was

stopped until 1750 when the opera started again at the Santa Creu theatre.

Go southeast by Placita of Palau to the Isabel II Promenade 37 m Turn left at Isabel II Promenade 74 m Turn right at the Placita of Palau 160 m Placita del Palau – Migdia Bastion

Migdia Bastion

The construction of the sea wall

started in the sixteenth century. This

wall was demanded by Charles

Emperor, who would to protect the

city against the pirates. This

construction was paid by Barcelona’s

citizens. The financial problems

lengthened these works about 150

years. Before the Spanish

Succession War, Barcelona was

protected for eleven bastions.

Migdia’s Bastion was near to the Pla de

Palau. Its orientation made it a good point to

protect the city against the sea attacks. This

bastion was one of the most violent scenes

during the Spanish Succession War on

September 11 of 1714.

On Septembre 11 of 1714, at 7.00, the

Borbon right flank reaches the Jonqueres

bastion. There was a strong battle, where the

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troops of the Minister Rafael

Casanova, who carried

Santa Eulàlia’s flag, could

stop the Borbon flank.

Meanwhile, on the left flank,

the Borbon army arrived in

front of the Migdia Bastion.

Borbon army started to shoot

the buildings with the result

that they could open large gaps. Fortunately for the army who protected this

bastion, they could stop the Borbonic troops.

Head over to the northwest by Placita of Palau to the Marquesa Street 220 m Turn Slight left to stay on Placita of Palau. 42 m Turn right on l'Espaseria Street 80 m Turn left on l'Anisadeta Street 8 m Turn right on Santa María Square Destination will be on your right 21 m Santa María Square

Santa Maria del Mar

Santa Maria del Mar, formerly Santa Maria de les

Arenes, is a Gothic church built between 1329

and 1383. This church is located in the Ribera

district. Berenguer de Montagut and Ramon

Despuig were the foremen of the construction of

this church.

The actual church is erected on the oldest church

of Santa Maria de les Arenes, documented in

998. This temple was risen above the place

where were finding the Santa Eulàlia relics. In

1005 appears the name of Santa Maria del Mar.

This church was in the neighbourhood of

Vilanova del Mar, a suburb of Barcelona.

During the Spanish Succession War this church was turned into a palatal

church when Charles III (or Jordi Hessen-Darmstadt) built a skywalk to connect

this church with the Viceroy or Real Palace.

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The only vestige of that passage is

the current Malcuinat Street; the

difference of the stone colour

between the fourth and the fifth

window from the nearest wall indicate

us where this skywalk was. This

church was chosen to celebrate the

wedding of Archduke Charles and

Princess Elizabeth of Brunswick on

August 1, 1708.

Head over to the southeast on Santa Maria Square towards the l'Anisadeta Street 21 m Turn left on l'Anisadeta Street 8 m Continue on Santa María Street Destination will be on your right

Fossar de les Moreres

Ancient minor or secondary cemetery of

Santa Maria del Mar, it was used until

1775, when burials were forbidden

inside the walls for a public health

reason.

After the battle of Septembre 11 of 1714

this site became a mass grave where

were buried the bodies of the city

defenders against the Borbon troops.

This area was close to the war zones.

Santa Maria del Mar was used as a field

hospital during the battle.

Despite the disappearance of the

cemetery, paved in the early nineteenth

century, the place always maintained its

iconic character and patriotic meaning.

During the 1989 refurbishment, this area

was covered with red bricks, symbol of

the blood spilled during the battle.

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Head over to the east by Fossar de les Moreres Square onto Malcuinat Street 12 m Girard Slight left to stay on Fossar de les Moreres Square 39 m Turn right at Born Promenade 43 m Turn left by Montcada Street 53 m Continue along Montcada Street Destination will be on the left 28 m

Dalmases Palace

This building was reformed during the

XVII century. It still preserves a Gothic

church of the XV century. The façade is

simple, with balconies framed with

stones, and followed by carved

gargoyles. The most interesting part is

the ladder of the inner courtyard which

highlights the twisted columns

supporting the arches and sculpted

frieze evoking the Rape of Europa and Neptune's chariot. It is one of the most

interesting works of Catalan Baroque.

This reform was built during 1690 by

Pau Ignasi de Dalmases, noble and

erudite Catalan, son of a wealthy

merchant. He was one of the creators of

the Desconfiats Academy, an intellectual

and erudite circle. During the Spanish

Succession War he supported the

Borbon army until the king imprisoned

him as a conspirator. Then he started to

support the Austriacist army. Charles sent him

as ambassador to the United Kingdom and

Netherland to try to revive the war in favour of

the Catalans.

When Philip V pardoned him, Pau Ignasi de

Dalmases came back to Barcelona and

worked as academic. He left an extensive

correspondence and his library rested to

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Dalmases family until in 1916 was acquired by the Catalonia Library.

The General Staff used this Palace as headquarters during the siege of 1713-

1714.

Go southeast along Montcada Street onto Arc de Sant Vicenç Street 28 m Continue on Montcada Street 53 m Turn left to Born Promenade 170 m Turn left on Comerç Street 12 m Turn slightly right. 2m

El Born Cultural Centre

Ancient market, in 2003 the government

started a process of making a library and

a civic centre in the old district of la

Ribera. This district is where the Spanish

Succession War took more importance in

Barcelona.

When the war was finished, the new King

forced the citizens to break down their

own houses because the new

Government would to build a

Ciutadella. The old citizens of this

district came to live in huts along

the beach until the new district of

Barceloneta was built in 1753. It’s

possible to visit the remains of this

old district as they were before the

siege.

As an anecdote, the condition of

the neighbourhood has allowed to identify the exact spot where he fell wounded

Marshal Antonio de Villarroel, while commanding the cavalry charge of

unsuccessful counterattack against the breach of the walls of Santa Clara.

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Head over to the southeast toward Ribera Street 2m Turn left onto Ribera Street 99 m Turn right at Picasso Avenue 58 m Turn left on Destillers Street 100 m

Parc de la Ciutadella

This park is the result of the demolition

of the Borbon Citadel. This citadel, built

on the old Ribera district, was designed

to guard the city of Barcelona after the

Spanish Succession War. This

construction with the Montjuic Castle

closes the city of Barcelona.

The fortification had a diameter of 547

meters from its centre to its five bastions

(King, Queen, Prince, Don Fernando

and Don Felipe); if we include also the

moat, it would be extended to 617 m of

diameter. The

two bastions

confronted the

city had a

height of 16

meters. The

rest of the bastions had a height of 11 meters. This

fact is an evidence that the intention of the

Government was to control the city. The moat had a

deep of 6 meters. The dimensions of this citadel were

over 28,6 hectares, equated to the great European

strengths as Lille or Sant Ferran of Figueres.

Throughout the nineteenth

century Barcelona was bombed

several times, from this citadel, to

suppress popular uprisings

against the military government of

the state. After many demands, it

wasn’t until the Revolution of

1868 when the city could bring

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down this fort. After this demolition the City Council transformed this space into

a park.

Go east 38 m Slight right onto the Joan Fiveller Square 100 m Turn left on Joan Fiveller Square 80 m Turn right l'Institut Escola Street 40 m Turn slightly left. 24 m Turn slightly right. Destination will be on your right 23 m Joan Fiveller Square

Borbon buildings

The only remains of the fortress of Ciutadella are the Baroque Chapel (even

today is a military chapel); the Military Governor Palace (with a classical style

that it had been an School during the Republic, a fire station and, actually, the

Verdaguer Institute); and finally the Arsenal (current Parliament of Catalonia).

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(The following items are currently buried and included in the itinerary as a

curiosity. Perhaps in the near future they will be visible)

Go southwest 3m Turn slight right onto Joan Fiveller Square 42 m Turn slight right onto Joan Fiveller Square 31 m Turn left on Joan Fiveller Square 48 m Turn slightly right. 13 m Turn slightly left. 4 m Turn slightly right. 39 m Turn slightly left. 17 m Turn slightly right. 79 m Turn slightly left.

Remains buried of the Sant Daniel Portal

In 2005 were discovered the remains of the

Sant Daniel Portal, one of the entrances of

the medieval wall of the XIV century. This

portal was reformed several times. This

gate consisted of two polygonal towers

reinforced with two rakes and a stone

bridge to save a pit.

During the siege of 1714 this point was one

of the hardest hit parts of the wall. On 13

and 14 of August, this sector received a

violent frontal assault between the two

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armies. This assault was rejected for the

defenders of Barcelona. This attack caused

heavy casualties on the both sides.

On Septembre 11 of 1714 the defences couldn’t

stop the Borbon attack. The Borbon army could

enter into the city where the attack continued.

Surprisingly the portal was preserved as it had

been after the battle until it was torn down to

build the Citadel. During the archaeological

works it was possible to locate some impact of

guns, ammunition, trench and other items

related to the last battle.

Go southwest 17 m Turn slight right onto Distillers Street 83 m Turn left onto Distillers Street 30 m Turn slight right onto Distillers Street 77 m Turn left onto Distillers Street 13 m Turn right on Distillers Street 400 m Arc de Triomf, Passeig Lluís Companys

Portal Nou Bastion

Built as a forward defense to the medieval

city walls, this Bastion was attached to the

Portal Nou and preserved medieval towers.

Vaguely pentagonal, an exit was built on its

eastern flank through an arched bridge. This

Bastion had some reforms for the different

wars against France from 1635. It’s known

that this bastion was partially destroyed in

the siege of 1697. During the Spanish

Succession War, this bastion received most

of the Borbon attacks. Nearby to this bastion

there was an entrance of the Rec Comtal, a

waterway.

This bastion was demolished after 1714 for

the construction of the Borbon Citadel.

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From COOLTUR hope you enjoyed this tourist tour and we wish you will

have a good day.

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