Six stories of women you need to know

1. Galla Placidia – a Roman-Visigothic queen in Barcelona

A woman who starred in a real game of thrones in ancient times. As the daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius, she became deeply involved in the turbulent politics of the empire in the 5th century AD. Galla Placidia was taken hostage by the Visigoths, when they sacked Rome in 410. However, she knew how to stand up to her captors and, in 414, she married Ataulf. They had a son, Theodosius, and set up their court in Barcino (Barcelona).

In 415, Ataulf was murdered in a palace conspiracy. Her son died shortly afterwards and was buried near Barcelona (some sources say in Sant Cugat). She returned to the court of her brother, Emperor Honorius. She remarried and had a son, Valentinian, and a daughter, Honoria. When her brother died, her son became the new emperor, but he was a minor. Thus, Galla Placidia ruled as regent of the Western Empire between 425 and 437.

• If you want to learn more about the Romans, get your diary out, because there is a lot on offer. At the Mataró Museum, you can visit Iluro, a Roman city, a permanent exhibition on the city’s past. You can also explore a Roman villa at the Clos Arqueològic de Torre Llauder (Torre Llauder archaeological site) and, if you want to stroll through the ancient Roman city of Baetulo, do not miss the Badalona Museum, one of the largest archaeological sites in Catalonia.

2. Ermesinda of Carcassonne – a sovereign in medieval Catalonia

Emperors, kings, counts … Ruling in the Middle Ages seemed to be exclusively a male preserve, but some women headed feudal states. One of the first examples we find is that of Ermesinda of Carcassonne, who ruled over much of Catalonia during the 11th century. Her political odyssey began when she married Ramon Borrell, Count of Barcelona, Girona and Osona.

When he died in 1017, she ruled alone as regent for four years, until her son, Berenguer Ramon, came of age. She exercised full governmental powers. When the count died, she once again became Countess Regent of Barcelona, Osona and Girona between 1035 and 1039, until her grandson Ramon Berenguer I was old enough to take power.

• Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? With the medieval fairs and markets held throughout the year in the regions around Barcelona, you can do just that! Step back into the Middle Ages and enjoy a day like in the old days!

3. Almodis de la Marca and Barcelona County laws

We remain in the Middle Ages, and once again we find ourselves with a story worthy of the best period drama or film. Almodis married Count Pons II of Toulouse, but, in 1052, she and Ramon Berenguer I, Count of Barcelona, fell in love. From then on, a stormy succession of marriage annulments, excommunication by the Pope and even a five-year war between noble houses with wounded honour ensued.

Almodis also stood out in her time as a woman of extraordinary culture. Thanks to her education, she helped her husband obtain feudal rights over counties such as Carcassonne. Moreover, this Countess of Barcelona collaborated in the drafting of the Usatges de Barcelona, the great legal code of medieval Catalonia.

• Castles have been privileged witnesses to the medieval era and still hide the best stories within their walls. In the Alt Penedès, you can visit Penyafort castle and Gelida castle. At Cardona castle, you can enjoy a dramatised tour that is perfect for the youngest family members, in addition to the stunning views. Anoia is a land of castles, so much so that you can visit a different one every week. In the Maresme region, you will find a very special one: Santa Florentina castle, which was refurbished by the Art Nouveau architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.  

4. Violant Carnera – the injustice behind the witch hunt

Between the 14th and 18th centuries, Catalonia experienced ongoing witch hunts. In theory, they were persecuting devil worshippers, but it was actually a way of criminalising women who lived on the fringes of society. One of the peak moments of these trials occurred in 1617 – the Year of the Flood –, when heavy rains wreaked havoc on crops in several regions.

As was customary, witches were blamed for these disasters. One of the most affected places was Castellar del Vallès, whereas Violant Carnera was accused of having made a pact with the devil. She confessed under terrible torture and was sentenced to death by hanging. At present, historians believe she was chosen as a scapegoat, because she was a widow without resources who lived on the margins of society.

• Many places in Osona, the Sant Llorenç massif and routes in the Bages and Moianès regions hold stories of witches, but if you want to take part in their night-time festivities, you should attend Cau de Bruixes in Centelles, the Viladrau Witches’ Dance or the Sant Feliu Sasserra Witches’ Fair. 

5. Teresa Claramunt – the fight for workers’ rights

Did you know that women also played a leading role in the labour movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries? In Catalonia, one notable example was Teresa Claramunt. In 1883, she organised the seven-week strike, the first major social mobilisation in Spain led by women. They demanded a 10-hour working day (at that time, women workers worked up to 14 hours a day).

The strike failed – the demand would not be met until 1900 –, but Claramunt continued to participate in many social mobilisations, such as the Tragic Week (1909). In 1892, she promoted the first feminist association in Spain: the​​​​​​ Autonomous Women's Society of Barcelona. This organisation advocated for the participation of women at all levels of political and social life.

• Industry changed the way of life and transformed society. Along the Ter and Llobregat rivers, you have the opportunity to learn about life in the industrial colònies (workhouses), and you will find all the information you need online (Xatic).

6. Francesca Bonnemaison – a trailblazer in women’s education

Francesca Bonnemaison (1872-1949) embodied the bourgeois perspective of feminism, which also aspired to achieve more rights for women, all while respecting the social order. In 1909, together with the rector of Santa Anna church in Barcelona, she set up the Popular Women’s Library on Carrer Sant Pere Més Baix. This cultural centre soon proved to be much more than just a place to go and read books.

Bonnemaison organised an educational centre for young women from the lower classes. It provided high-level technical and scientific training at a time when women were not allowed to attend university. Bonnemaison fled when the civil war broke out, and the Barcelona Provincial Council took over the management of the Popular Library in 1941. The building that once housed its original headquarters is now home to the Francesca Bonnemaison Space.