Timbaler del Bruc - Barcelona, Spain - Urban Legends and Superstitions on Waymarking.com

Montjuïc Castle is an old military fortress, with roots dating back from 1640, currently serving as a Barcelona municipal facility, built on top of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona. El Bruc is a municipality in Catalonia about 50 km from Barcelona.

The 'Timbaler del Bruc' is based on a legend about the defeat of the French army in 1808 by the Catalan militia. The legend is that the sound of a drummer playing in the mountains deceived the French into thinking the size of the opposing forces was larger than it was, contributing to their defeat and breaking the myth of the invincibility of Napoleon's army.

The larger than life size bronze statue by Frederic Marès (1952) depicts a young man playing the drum with a gun on his back.

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Additional Requirement?: No What's the Real Story?: The French detachment of 3,800 soldiers under General of Brigade François Xavier de Schwarz emerged from Barcelona on June 4 1808, advancing in the direction of Saragossa–Lleida. A rainstorm that day slowed their march considerably; the delay gave time for local Spanish forces, composed of militia from the neighboring villages, Catalan volunteers (sometent), and Swiss and Walloon soldiers from the Barcelona garrison (2,000 men), to mobilize for action. The Catalans were led by General Antoni Franch i Estalella and deployed along Bruch Pass. The resulting stand was a success, and the French under General Schwarz were turned back to Barcelona with the loss of 360 dead, 800 wounded, 60 prisoners, and one gun captured. The Partisans also captured an Imperial Eagle, adding to defeat a humiliation for the French army. Website Source: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   09/23/2017 jj_lider visited it 07/09/2017 Tumbrel visited it 05/06/2014 monistrolencs visited it

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