Noguera
Noguera occupies a large area in the hinterland, in the Lleida sector between the central Catalan depression and the foothills of the Pyrenees. Upper Noguera stretches from the southern slopes of the great Montsec sierra (Ares and Rubies), from where the two rivers, the Noguera Ribagorçana (Mont-rebei narrows), to the west, and the Noguera Pallaresa (Terradets ravine) flow down. The so-called middle Segre includes the plateaux of the north-east, eroded by the river, and lower Noguera stretches across the plain watered by the Urgell canal. In the late Middle Ages, until the end of Muslim rule, the territory was part of the expansion area of the important county of Urgell (Balaguer became the capital); the counts of Barcelona had lands there (Camarasa marches). The economy is based on agriculture (market gardens and orchards on the banks of the Urgell canal and dry farming elsewhere) and stock breeding, with exploitation of the woodlands and a little developed industry (hydroelectric at the Camarasa, Llorenç de Montgai, Canelles and Santa Anna dams). There is little tourist infrastructure either, but visitors come to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, walking and adventure sports, and the architectural heritage.




Architectural heritage and tourist attractions:
Balaguer: Plaça del Mercadal (Saturday market), Gothic church of Santa Maria, Gothic convent of Sant Domènec, ruined walls and Formós castle, of Arab origin. Sant Crist sanctuary, old Romanesque church of Santa Maria de les Franqueses.
Camarasa: ruined castle and Romanesque church of Sant Miquel. Romanesque church of the barony of Sant Oïsme.
Cubells: Romanesque church with Lleida school gateway and Gothic church.
Castelló de Farfanya: ruined walls and castle Gothic church on the hilltop and Gothic altarpieces at the church of Sant Miquel.
Bellpuig de les Avellanes: old Premonstratensian abbey at Os de Balaguer, with Romanesque cloister and Gothic church, which was the mausoleum of the counts of Urgell.
Algerri: Baroque church, ruined castle.
Àger: magnificent castle precinct with Romanesque church of Sant Pere and Gothic cloister, Roman sarcophagus in the parish church, town of great character.
Ponts: beautiful Romanesque church of Sant Pere, once belonging to an old monastery, now restored, Wednesday market.
Artesa de Segre: arcaded main square (Sunday market), old houses.
Foradada: castle-palace of Montsonís, Salgar sanctuary.
La Baronia de Rialb: various small Romanesque churches such as Palau de Rialb, Gualter, El Puig de Rialb.
Vallfogona de Balaguer: castle of La Ràpita, restored.
Penelles: wine-growing centre of Castell del Remei, with chapel decorated by Josep Obiols.

Archaeology: paintings in the Cova dels Vilassos at Os de Balaguer, Roman remains at Balaguer and Àger.

Gastronomy: coca de recapte (savoury pastry with salted sardines or ratatouille), pork sausages and cured meat, stewed partridge, fricandeau and rabbit with wild mushrooms, snails - roasted, a la brutesca or casseroled.

Festivals and cultural events: Ranxo festival at Ponts for Carnival, Balaguer agricultural and industrial fair (May), Sant Crist festival at Balaguer (November), partridge fair at Vilanova de Meià (November).

Getting there: C-1313 Lleida-Balaguer-Artesa-Ponts-La Seu d'Urgell; C-147 Balaguer-Camarasa-Tremp- El Doll road; C-1412 Calaf-Ponts; C-240 Montblanc-Tremp via Tàrrega, Agramunt and Artesa; C-148 Tàrrega-Balaguer. Lleida-La Pobla de Segur railway.