A historical moment in Bellpuig
On Monday, May 19, the church of the monastery of Santa Maria de Bellpuig de les Avellanes witnessed a significant historical event: the opening of the osseres that house the remains of the counts of Urgell. These include Ermengol X, Álvar I, Cecilia de Foix, and Álvar II, key figures in Catalan history.
A reproduction and research project
This opening is part of a larger project that seeks to reproduce the original tombs, currently preserved in the Museum of the Cloisters in New York. Promoted by the Diputació de Lleida and the Marist brothers, with the support of other institutions, this project seeks to recover the memory of a lineage that played a crucial role in the history of Catalonia.
History of the remains
The remains of the counts of Urgell are the only ones that are preserved and accessible to the public. After the sale of the original tombs in 1906, a rector buried the remains in a box in Vilanova de la Sal. In 1967, these remains were exhumed and transferred to the church of Bellpuig, where they were deposited under notarial stamp.
Anthropological study and document research
In addition to the opening, an anthropological study of the remains has been programmed by the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia. This analysis, which includes samples for various analyzes, seeks to deepen the knowledge of the Urgell family, in particular its connection with the house of Cabrera.
Collaborations and research
The medievalist historian Stefano Maria Cingolani has been in charge of documentary research, with the aim of providing a deeper view on this lineage originally from Girona. In addition, the Ethnological Museum of the Monseny of Arbúcies collaborates in a project that seeks to spread the history of this family.
Activities and future locations
The studies of the remains will be carried out throughout the week inside the monastery. Once the investigations are completed, the remains will be stored in suitable boxes for archeological remains and, eventually, they will be placed inside the copies of the original tombs.
Attendees and authorities present
The event was attended by several authorities, including Marina Miquel, Deputy Director General of Architectural Heritage, Estefania Rufach, Mayor of Os de Balaguer, and numerous heritage and archeology experts, who contributed their experience to this memorable event.
As the research progresses, this project not only seeks to rescue the history of the counts of Urgell, but also opens a new chapter in the understanding of its influence on Catalan culture and society.