Balaguer, Medieval town in Noguera, Spain.
Balaguer is a town in northern Catalonia built along the Segre River and surrounded by green farmland. The Mercadal Square with its arcades is one of the largest medieval commercial squares in the region, while the Gothic Santa Maria Church with its bell tower defines the skyline.
The town became the capital of the County of Urgell in 1106 after a Christian ruler reconquered it from Moorish control. This conquest established it as an important administrative center during the Middle Ages.
The old town retains a medieval character with narrow streets and buildings that show centuries of community life. The Mercadal Square continues to serve as the heart of daily activity, where locals gather for shopping and socializing.
The best area to explore is the old town around Mercadal Square, where you can walk on foot through narrow streets. The riverbank along the Segre also offers pleasant walking paths and views of the surrounding countryside.
The Segre River was historically a source of gold extraction, a practice documented through a local interpretation center. This old tradition shows how much residents relied on the riverbed for economic activities.
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