The site of Selma (or Celma), dominated by the remains of its castle, was the seat of a Templar commandery and later of the Hospitallers. Today, the village of Selma is abandoned and in ruins, isolated from major communication routes, at the easternmost edge of the Alt Camp region (comarca), near Penedès.
The Castle of Selma is first mentioned in the year 977, after the reconquest of these lands from the Saracens. However, the instability of the territory at that time did not allow for habitation or development until the first half of the 11th century. The site of Selma had passed into the hands of Guillem de Sant Martí, who, in 1142, ceded both the abandoned castle and its still uninhabited territory to the Order of the Temple, which placed it under the management of a castellan. The preceptory or commandery of Selma was not formally organized until 1196, when its first commander, Ramon Soler, was mentioned. In addition to the castle, the Templar friars owned the manor of La Masó and other properties and dependent establishments, such as the parish church of Sant Cristòfol, located near the castle, or the fortified house of Galls Carnuts to the east.
In 1308, during the process of dissolution of the Order of the Temple, the commander Pere de Lobera was arrested and the place was taken over by an administrator. In 1317, the Templars’ assets were transferred to the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, who placed Selma under the responsibility of the Grand Prior Hospitaller. Later, the commandery was definitively restored, and in 1366 a new commander, Garcia de Mahissen, is recorded, inaugurating a brief period of prosperity. However, in the 15th century, Selma experienced economic difficulties, exacerbated by the military conflicts of the time.
Photo by Lluís Porta, 1933
Arxiu Fotogràfic Centre Excursionista de Catalunya
During the first quarter of the 15th century, the commanderies of Selma and Vallmoll were merged, an operation that was already completed by 1419, when Joan de Vilagut is documented as commander of both houses. The headquarters of the new preceptory was established in Selma. After a period of recovery, the 19th century brought another phase of instability and decline, culminating in 1851 with the extinction of its rights and the definitive disappearance of the commandery. Today, the Castle of Selma is in ruins, and its chapel has disappeared. The parish church of Sant Cristòfol, a 16th-century building, is also in ruins. Slightly apart, to the west, stands the manor of La Masó, while in Pla de Manlleu, the chapel of Sant Miquel and the tower and manor of Galls Carnuts can be found, all of which were associated with this former commandery.
Related site:
Related site:
- CATALÀ ROCA, Pere; BRASÓ, Miquel (1992). Els castells catalans. Vol. III. Barcelona: R. Dalmau
- FIGUERAS FONTANALS, Lluís Mª. (1985). El senyoriu de Celma (Una aproximació històrica). Valls: I. Estudis Vallencs
- FIGUERAS FONTANALS, Lluís Mª. (1992). El senyoriu de Celma (Esquema organitzatiu I i II). Valls: I. Estudis Vallencs
- FUGUET SANS, Joan (1997). Templers i hospitalers, I. Barcelona R. Dalmau Ed.
- GAVÍN, Josep M. (1980). Inventari d'esglésies. Vol. 6. Barcelona: Artestudi
- MIRET I SANS, Joaquim (1910, reed. 2006). Les cases de templers y hospitalers a Catalunya. Lleida: Pagès Ed.
- PIQUER I FERRER, Esperança (1995). Castell de Selma. Catalunya romànica. Vol. XXI. Barcelona: Enciclopedia Catalana
A road from the Monastery of Santes Creus leads to Pontons (Alt Penedès). After passing Les Pobles, at the site of L’Arboçar, one must take a track to the right leading to the deserted village of Selma, where the castle (4a) is located. Before that, also to the right, the path leading to La Masó (4b) is left behind. The tower of Galls Carnuts is farther away, to the east (4c)