Exploring Time's Thread: The Romanesque Bridge Connecting the Medieval Village

Nestled within the rolling hills of Pallars Jussà, the deserted medieval village of La Bastida de Bellera beckons intrigue as it offers a glimpse into the annals of Catalonia’s history. Located within the eastern part of the municipality of Sarroca de Bellera, its timeless spirit persists, although it has been uninhabited for years. It is believed that this village may have been the home of the Baronía de Bellera prior to 1381. Like other Pallaresos villages, La Bastida de Bellera had its own municipality from 1812, as dictated by the Constitution of Cadiz.

However, it lost this status in 1847 due to the decline in population that didn’t meet the 30-family requirement stipulated under the municipal law of 1845. Across the valley, standing almost westwards, is the ancient Monestir de Sant Genís de Bellera. Connecting the two, the Romanesque Pont del Diable spans the ages. The exact year of its construction remains vague. As archaeologist Juan Bellmunt suggested in 1994, the names of houses in the village included Riquo, Sent Genís, and Vila.

Also, he hinted at the presence of a church, yet the number of altars remains unknown. In the present day, La Bastida de Bellera and Monestir de Sant Genís de Bellera remain linked by the enigmatic Pont del Diable – a testament to an era long passed and a key to the hidden history lingering in the undulating hills of Pallars Jussà.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons