Landscape formation in a Mediterranean country of the Middle Ages. Changes and continuity in Catalonia between the sixth and the fifteenth century

• Published in: Landscape history Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 21 - 36
• Main Author: Bolòs, Jordi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2009
• Subjects: castles; churches; continuity and change; farmsteads; Medieval settlement patterns
• ISSN: 0143-3768; 2160-2506
• DOI: 10.1080/01433768.2009.10594606

The history of settlements in Catalonia during medieval times bears a strong resemblance to that of other Mediterranean European countries. The origins of these medieval settlements can be traced to when Roman villae were abandoned during the Visigothic times. The work done so far proves that, up to the eleventh century, one could find, apart from cities, the presence of a large number of hamlets scattered throughout the territory and an equally large number of churches. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, a network of settlements was consolidated around churches and castles in relation to new villages. Additionally, many areas saw an increase in scattered farmsteads. In those areas conquered by the Muslims, there was continuity in the types of settlement. As in Europe, the crisis of the fourteenth century brought about the abandonment of some villages and many farmsteads.