Verdú

The municipality of Verdú, located in the southeast of the Urgell region, is dominated by Verdú Castle, the origin of the town and its most famous building. It is one of the oldest settlements in Catalonia, with remains from different periods, including prehistoric, Iberian, Roman, and medieval periods, proving this.

Known for its medieval heritage, black pottery and for being the birthplace of Sant Pere Claver, Verdú is a perfect synthesis of what defines the Lleida plain: land, work and continuity.

History

After the conquest by Ramon Berenguer I, around the year 1056, Verdú began to appear in medieval documentation. The first known text that mentions the castle and municipality of Verdú dates from 1081, and cites Arnau Company and his wife Guilla as lords.

In the mid- 12th century, the town's destiny became intertwined with the Catalan nobility. Lord Berenguer de Anglesola, founder of the Barony of Bellpuig, gave Verdú Castle as a dowry to his daughter Berenguera when she married Guillem de Cervera in 1164. The donation included not only the castle and the town, but also the area and all its inhabitants.

Berenguera, who later retired to the Monastery of Vallbona de les Monges, was a key figure in the urban and social development of Verdú. He granted the Charter of Population to the inhabitants scattered in farmhouses and small villages, inviting them to build houses on the castle plain. He also forgave feudal rights such as the right to gild and plaster, and promoted the construction of walls, gates, and towers that would shape the medieval walled core.

His son, William IV of Cervera, would push the castle to the Monastery of Poblet, thus beginning a relationship of vassalage that would last more than six hundred years. During this long period, Verdú remained under the spiritual, economic and administrative influence of the monks of Poblet, who played a decisive role in local development.

In the 13th century, the new Church of Santa María de Verdú was built on the old church of San Nicolás, which would mark the center of religious and social life.

Over time, the town grew beyond its original walls. By the 15th century, Verdú had outgrown its original perimeter, and the population was growing thanks to the privileges and exemptions granted by the monks of Poblet. Among these, the right to Fira stands out, granted by King Pedro III the Ceremonious in 1378, which consolidated Verdú as a regional commercial and meeting center.

During the 17th century, spiritual life experienced a period of splendor. Notable figures from this period include Joan Terés i Borrull, Archbishop of Tarragona and Viceroy of Catalonia (1602-1603), and Pere Claver, born in Verdú in 1580, a Jesuit missionary in Cartagena de Indias and sainted in 1888.

The imprint of these centuries has left a compact historic core, an urban planning of narrow alleys and stone buildings that evoke a history of faith, work and resistance.

Places of interest

Verdú Castle

Verdú Castle is one of the symbols of the municipality and one of the most unique fortresses in Urgell. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries, it preserves Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements from successive extensions.

For centuries, it was a lord's residence, then a dependency of the Poblet Monastery, and later, in the 19th century, it was divided into plots and privatized. The Town Hall began its restoration in 1988, and today it can be visited as a heritage and cultural space, with exhibitions and educational activities.

Its halls and towers allow us to understand the strategic role of the castle and the transformations that the town underwent around it.

Church of Santa Maria

Built in the 13th century on the site of the former Church of St. Nicholas, the parish church of St. Mary combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. The monumental portal with archivolts and sculptural capitals is one of its most notable features.

Inside, there are Baroque altarpieces, such as that of the Immaculate Conception (1623), the work of Agustí Pujol, one of the most important sculptors of Catalan Baroque. The church, located in the heart of the village, remains today the spiritual center and a point of first-rate artistic interest.

Sanctuary of Sant Pere Claver

Located just minutes from the historic center, the Sanctuary of Sant Pere Claver is a place of contemplation and remembrance. The Jesuit saint was born here in 1580, and today the sanctuary houses objects, documents, and relics related to his life and work.

The complex consists of the birthplace, a small museum, and the sanctuary church, a pilgrimage site and spiritual center for many visitors. The whole complex is a symbol of local devotion and identity, a symbol of the Verduní commitment to solidarity and justice.

Hermitage of San Miguel

To the west of the town, surrounded by fields and old roads, stands the hermitage of Sant Miquel, documented as early as the 14th century. According to tradition, it was erected by the Cervera family as a votive offering of thanks.

Despite being looted during the Civil War, the chapel retains its original structure and is one of the simplest but most beloved architectural gems of the inhabitants of Verdú.

Iberian site of Estinclells

The Estinclells site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the area. It is an Iberian settlement occupied from the 7th century BC to the Roman period, revealing the presence of an organized and productive society long before the formation of the medieval settlement.

The excavations, open to the public, allow visitors to explore the remains of houses, silos, walls, and community spaces. The site is key to understanding the origins of Verdú and its relationship with other settlements on the Urgell plain.

Cal Talaveró - Contemporary Art Center

In contrast to its medieval heritage, Verdú also focuses on contemporary culture. Cal Talaveró, a former manor house attached to the city wall, has been converted into an art center and exhibition space showcasing paintings, prints, and sculptures by national and international artists.

This equipment symbolizes the desire to connect the past with the present, keeping alive the creative spirit that has always defined Verdú.

Tradition and ceramics

One of the town's most distinctive features is its black pottery, produced using techniques dating back to the Middle Ages. This artisan tradition has made Verdú a benchmark in Catalan pottery, with workshops that continue to produce unique and authentic pieces.

Every year, the Pottery and Wine Fair fills the streets with visitors, artisans, and wine tastings that unite culture, gastronomy, and tradition. Verdú has established itself as a center for wine tourism and crafts, where time is savored with ease.

Verdú today

Today, Verdú is a municipality that combines the serenity of a historic town with a vibrant cultural life. Its historic center, natural spaces, and popular festivals —such as the Grape Harvest Festival, the San Pedro Claver Fair, and the pottery tours— invite you to discover a town that looks to the future without losing its essence.

With a heritage spanning centuries, Verdú is much more than a heritage destination: it is a living testimony to the history of Catalonia, a space where every stone, every street and every pottery explains the value of identity and collective memory.