* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
In October 1822, the town of Castellfollit de Riubregós, in Alta Segarra, was destroyed by the army of General Espoz i Mina, after a brutal seven-day siege. It occurred during the civil war between the liberals, supporters of the constitutional government that had been established in 1820, and the royalists, who had rebelled against the change of regime and were fighting to reinstate the absolutist monarchy of Fernando VII.
This past weekend, as we see in the Photos of the Readers of La Vanguardia, the 4th Siege Day was celebrated in Castellfollit de Riubregós to remember these historical facts at the hands of the Castro Follit Cultural Association.
Pau stood guard on the wall, on the northeast side. The coolest place, he thought. We are talking about the 23rd in October 1822. It began to dawn.
From its guard point it sees the Llobregós valley, until it reaches Solsonès, specifically La Molsosa. And at his feet he had the entire town, already half destroyed by the bombs.
As the sun rose, there was a changing of the guard. Pau only had in his head what Jana, his sister, would have prepared for him to eat and warm up. Escudella barrejada, as always, but he said to himself: we are besieged by the constitutionalist army.
He ate and went to sleep, well, sleeping is a saying, since the whistles began and the bombs fell everywhere. The Cal Capxic Tower (Torre Capxic) has already been destroyed and the round or Balet tower was not saved.
That the constitutionalists would take the town and the castle was imminent. That night they met in the castle square. They decided that they would all flee that night. When it got dark, everyone in silence began to leave the castle and town.
According to legend, they found a guard surrounding the town, but a woman distracted him until they subdued him. They fled to Sanaüja, where they were cured and cared for.
The next day, when General Mina, from his vantage point, saw what had happened, enraged and very angry, he decided to raze the castle and the town, so that not a stone was left. That's how it was done.
And when he left, on the only wall that was left standing, he wrote an inscription that said: "Castellfullit existed here. People, take an example: do not shelter the enemies of the country."
If, after this story, your curiosity has been piqued, I recommend that you take a guided tour of the castle, the second Sunday of each month, at 11 in the morning. Domènec is the guide, although everyone knows him as Mingo. Look at the passion and enthusiasm with which it is explained.
This weekend the 4th Setge Day in Castellfollit de Riubregós was celebrated, summarizing 202 years of the destruction of the town and the efforts of those who rebuilt it and, thanks to them, we are still here.
The day began with a walk through the important places of the siege. This year, a route of more than 7 kilometers. With explanations on each site by Mingo.
It must also be said that, up in the castle, water and coca with chocolate were waiting for us. I can't say that it fit better!
This year, in addition, the mayor inaugurated a monument in memory of the siege of Castellfollit de Riubregós. Afterwards, a meal with a mixed bowl was held.
At night it was tremendous with a small theatrical performance between Ramonillo, defender of Castellfollit, and General Mina, with an unimaginable ending.
