Gallows Hill

In the past, gallows were part of the landscape and town councils incorporated the death penalty into their ordinances as a guarantor of the social order. These instruments of death were located at high points such as hills, so as to be visible to the people. This is the case of the Tossal de les Forques, a small peak of 562 meters (1800 feet), from which you can see a splendid panorama of the town of Cervera.

Normally located a few meters from the village and next to the principal roads, in the middle of the 14th century this scaffold was constructed when stone gallows replaced the old wooden ones. In 1951 a huge cross was nailed to the top with an inscription, “Christ overcomes. Christ reigns. Christ prevails.” However, what is most surprising about this curious and quite unknown place are the enigmatic petroglyphs and rock carvings at the base.

Blending in with the stone, visitors can see images, altars, portals of temples, crosses, staircases, as well as an armchair in the shape of a voussoir arch between columns, with a saint engraved on the back. Popular belief identifies this as the seat where the clergyman assisted the condemned before they were hanged.

The authorship of this carved artwork is unknown, but could have an explanation in the students who studied at the old university in the town. One theory says that the carvings have their source in novice monks or future theologians. A popular bit of art that was produced before 1842—when the University of Cervera was closed— and should be preserved.