HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS

HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS

During the War of the Spanish Succession, Tortosa passed from Habsburg to Bourbon control, bringing significant political and social consequences.

On 25 September 1705, during the Habsburg uprising in the Principality of Catalonia, Tortosa surrendered without resistance to the militias commanded by Josep Nebot. The city came under the control of Archduke Charles and became the Habsburg base for the conquest of the Maestrat region. Following the defeat at Almansa on 25 April 1707 and the Bourbon occupation of the Kingdom of Valencia, Tortosa was besieged by a powerful army commanded by the Duke of Orléans, to which it surrendered on 15 July 1708.

The families most closely associated with the Habsburg cause, such as the Gil de Frederic and Oliver de Boteller families, paid for their allegiance through imprisonment, confiscation of property and exile. The new administration established by Philip V abolished the constitutions of the Principality of Catalonia and replaced traditional Catalan institutions with a centralised system. Municipal councils were replaced by new town councils, while the traditional administrative districts known as vegueries were replaced by corregimientos, governed by military governors.

Despite several attempts to recapture the city and intense guerrilla activity in the surrounding area, Tortosa remained under Bourbon control. For several years, it was incorporated into the Valencian administration (1708–1715), until the Nueva Planta Decree established the new political and administrative organisation of the Principality of Catalonia.

THE ROMAN CITY
THE ROMAN CITY
Dertosa developed from the Iberian settlement of Hibera and became an important trading centre in the Ebro valley
sant ruf
sant ruf
El cementirti del castell
El cementirti del castell
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
In the 16th century, the defence of Tortosa was organised into fifteen sections corresponding to different parts of the city walls.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
In the late 19th century, Tortosa began demolishing its medieval city walls to allow the city to expand.
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
The development of artillery transformed medieval castles into modern fortresses, with structures specifically designed for military defence.
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Tortosa passed from Habsburg to Bourbon control, bringing significant political and social consequences.
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
The Diamond Point Tower is a pentagonal defensive structure at La Suda Castle, adapted to the development of artillery to strengthen the fortress's defences.
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
Cristòfol Despuig (1510–1574) was a politician and writer from Tortosa, known for producing one of the finest examples of Catalan Renaissance prose.
TORTOSA'S TRADITIONAL CULTURE
TORTOSA'S TRADITIONAL CULTURE
Tortosa's traditional culture brings together music, dance, giants and festive customs that keep the city's identity alive.
TENASSES FORT
TENASSES FORT
Tenasses Fort is a 17th- and 18th-century fortification built to strengthen Tortosa's defences and protect the northern approaches to the city.
TORTOSA, A CENTRE OF ART IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS
TORTOSA, A CENTRE OF ART IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS
Between the 14th and 20th centuries, Tortosa was an important centre of artistic production, with workshops specialising in painting, sculpture, silversmithing,
THE OPEN CAPONIER
THE OPEN CAPONIER
The Open Caponier is a defensive site along the road to Tenasses Fort, with structures once used to control access to the Célio ravine.
HORNWORK
HORNWORK
The hornwork at Tenasses is a 17th-century defensive structure designed to protect the northern approaches to Tortosa.