Balaguer

Balaguer stands on the Segre beneath the castle of the counts of Urgell. The town became the centre of their county after its conquest from Muslim rule. In 1413 James, Count of Urgell, challenged King Ferdinand I and took refuge at Balaguer. Royal forces besieged the town, which surrendered after months of resistance; James lost his lands and titles and spent the rest of his life in captivity.