Al-Mansur’s army arrives in Barcelona
1,039 years ago, in the year 985, the army of the Andalusian general Al-Mansur arrived in Barcelona and surrounded the city, which at that time was confined within the Roman wall. This event marked the beginning of a siege that would last six days and culminate in a fierce assault and partial sacking of the city.
The city defenses
According to the chronicles of the time, the city’s defenses, commanded by Viscount Udalardo, managed to repel the first attack of the Andalusian army. However, the attackers resorted to brutal tactics to weaken the morale of the defenders. They loaded their catapults with the severed heads of prisoners captured in the county lands of Penedès and Vallès, and launched them into the city with the aim of provoking terror and forcing surrender.
The fame of the Roman wall of Barcelona
The Roman wall of Barcelona, built in the 3rd century during Roman times, was famous for its solidity and security. Unlike other Roman walls financed by the state, the wall of Barcelona was promoted and built with the economic effort of local society. For centuries, this wall was considered the best defensive circle in the western half of the Roman Empire.
The siege and resistance
Despite the siege, the internal walls of Barcelona, which separated the four neighborhoods of the city, prevented the Andalusians from occupying the entire city and completely destroying it. According to sources, the attackers managed to occupy and loot the two southern neighborhoods of the city, but they withdrew with thousands of captives who were later rescued by paying considerable ransoms. This demonstrates the economic power of the Carolingian county of Barcelona at that time.
The legacy of the siege
The siege of Barcelona in 985 left a significant historical legacy. Although the Andalusians failed to completely conquer the city, the assault and partial looting had a lasting impact on the collective memory of Barcelona. Furthermore, this event highlights the importance of defensive walls and the city’s resistance against external attacks.
