Wilfred the Hairy

Wilfred the Hairy, a prominent figure in the history of Catalonia, served as Count of several key regions including Urgell and Cerdanya from the year eight hundred seventy, and later took on the titles of Count of Barcelona, Girona, and Besalú in eight hundred seventy-eight, followed by Ausona in eight hundred eighty-six.

His reign was marked by significant contributions to the repopulation of the long-neglected territories surrounding Vic, which lay on the frontier between Christian and Muslim lands. This endeavor not only revitalized the region but also played a crucial role in the establishment of the bishopric of Vic.

Wilfred's legacy is further cemented by his founding of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll, a notable religious institution where he was ultimately laid to rest after his death in eight hundred ninety-seven. His son, Wilfred Borrell, succeeded him, inheriting the counties that would come to be recognized as the Catalan counties.