Martorell

Sister cities

• Sant'Olcese
• Borgo a Mozzano

History

Archaeological findings indicate human presence in the Llobregat Valley dating back to the Neolithic period, as well as the existence of Iberian settlements. The area also saw the presence of Carthaginian settlements, who were the first to build a bridge over the Llobregat River. The Romans occupied the territory as early as the 2nd century BC, and Martorell later became a key point along the Via Augusta, which crossed the river via the so-called Pont del Diable, a Roman bridge with a triumphal arch than still stands today (Ad Fines). Roman rule was followed by Visigothic domination from the 4th century onward, as evidenced by the remains of a paleochristian church and a necropolis in Santa Margarida, which confirm the spread of Christianity in the 5th century. Sparsely inhabited for centuries, the area saw significant population growth in the late 9th century, and by 878, a settlement had been established on the right bank of the Llobregat. The first recorded mention of Martorell dates back to 1032, when the region was under the rule of the Castelvell family before passing to the Moncada lineage. In 1344, Roger Bernard III of Foix granted Martorell the status of a municipality. In the early 15th century, the town suffered the consequences of the succession struggles between the House of Foix and King Martin I of Aragon. During the Guerra dels Segadors, Martorell became the headquarters of the troops defending Barcelona. In 1641, the town was besieged and destroyed by the forces of the Marquis de los Vélez. After being rebuilt, it was devastated once again in 1652 by a severe plague epidemic that swept through much of Europe. In 1714, the Castle of Rosades was occupied, and its Torre de l'Homenatge was blown up. The early 19th century brought further turmoil with the…

Most-observed species

• Sardinian Warbler

  Curruca melanocephala (J.F.Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  16,465
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  15,162
• Eurasian Magpie

  Pica pica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  14,983
• European Robin

  Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  14,471
• European Serin

  Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  13,876
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  13,416
• House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  13,002
• Great Tit

  Parus major Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  12,286

Most recent

• M 4.1 — 2010-12-19
  4 km W of Llagostera, Spain
• M 3.8 — 2008-08-16
  Spain
• M 2.6 — 2008-08-07
  3 km E of Susqueda, Spain
• M 2.8 — 2008-07-23
  6 km W of Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain
• M 2.7 — 2008-07-23
  6 km W of Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain
• M 2.9 — 2008-07-23
  3 km W of Santa Coloma de Farners, Spain