11. The loss of the institutions
Tuesday 26, november 2013
The Tongue of the Serpent Bastion, a name that comes from the narrow elongated area, was built in 1737. Its construction resulted in the destruction of several medieval industrial buildings and establishments. This was the case of the school where Carthusian monks of Scala Dei went to study law or theology in the General Studies, the first university of the Crown of Aragon, founded in 1300 by means of a privilege from King James II. The General Studies, along with the rest of the Catalan Universities, were closed by a royal warrant from Philip V in 1717 in favour of a single centre located in Cervera.
The disappearance of the university was a severe blow to Lleida, since the city had also lost another centenarian institution, the Paeria or City Council, the privilege created by King James I the Conqueror in 1264. In Catalonia, all government bodies were abolished such as the Diputació, the Corts, and the Consell de Cent.
To finish the tour, now proceed to the Lion's Gate.