Marca Hispanica

The Marca Hispanica (Latin Marca Hispanica ), sometimes called Gothia, was the political-military border region of the Frankish Empire in the Iberian peninsula. 801, Emperor Charlemagne this Grenzmark to Barcelona in Catalonia today to defend the borders against the Muslims in Al- Andalus, the rest of Spain. It was the starting point for further Reconquista. The final reconquest in Catalonia up to the Ebro but withdrew even out to 1149.

After occupation of the Iberian Peninsula by the Arabs, this area was dominated military base in Barcelona, Girona and Lleida. Nevertheless, we succeeded the Carolingians, with the support of the local population end of the 8th century Girona ( 785 ) and Barcelona to win ( 801). This region was the Spanish market, consisting of the counties of Barcelona, ​​Berga, Besalu, Cerdanya, Conflent Ampurias, Girona, Manresa, Osona, Pallars, Rases, Ribagorça, Aragón, Roussillon and Urgell. These counties were all dependent on the Carolingian monarch. The most important role played in the subsequent period, the County of Barcelona.

The rule in the counties exercised initially from local or Visigoth nobles. However, this aimed for a greater independence and the Carolingians were forced to replace them with counts of Frankish origin. However, subsequently took from the dependence of the counties from the Frankish Empire. With recognition of the hereditary title of nobility of independence was finally achieved.

This quest for independence was accompanied by a merger to form larger political units. Count the Hairy Wilfried to unite a number of counties under his rule, which he managed from Barcelona succeeded. He reasoned thus the dynasty of the Counts of Barcelona. After his death, although the unit, the core broke, however, from the counties of Barcelona, Girona and Vic remained undivided. This results in the later formed Catalonia.