THE BOOK

ARNAU ESTANYOL

The son of peasant Bernat, who saved him from death and took him to Barcelona. As from year 1320 he will live with his father, and under some shadowy relatives. Later on, he will become a very young bastaixo, name that designated those who carried stone blocks from Montjuic to the building site of the Santa María del Mar church. A war heroe, humiliated by witnesses of his later power achievements. His life and eminent figure will grow at the same time as the church being built thanks to the people’s efforts.

BERNAT ESTANYOL

Arnau’s father, who after fleeing from the cruelty of his feudal master, arrives in Barcelona with the sole purpose of obtaining, both for himself and his son, citizenship and freedom. A fugitive servant, slaved by his brother-in-law, he endured these and other ordeals with exemplary temper.

JOANET

He is Arnau’s first friend in the city. A boy who can only communicate with his mother through a small opening since her husband –a merciless boilermaker– discovered her adultery. Since then, she and the small one have been repudiated. Joanet –who at young age becomes a priest– becomes Arnau’s brother and a decisive character after the Inquisition disembarks in the city.

GRAU PUIG

A potter master, accepted by the guild thanks to the favour of Bernat Estanyol’s father. However, this despicable character, married to Bernat’s sister, takes advantage of his forsaken relatives, gives them shelter reluctantly and, in his ascent to nobility, humiliates Bernat and Arnau at length. His second wife Isabel and his children cause repeated misfortune to the Estanyol, who look after their horses at their palace in the Montcada street. Time and the turns of history will empower Arnau to avenge his father’s memory.

ALEDIS

Arnau’s first love. Although their marriage does not happen due to the young lady’s father opposition, passion and fate will bring them together amidst challenging circumstances.

HASDAI

A jew of the call, who is eternally grateful to Arnau for saving his children’s life when stirred citizens blamed jews of bringing the plague into the city. A decisive character in Arnau’s life, who introduces him to another key person: the moor Sahat, who becomes Arnau’s crucial aid in his new life as a prosperous broker.

MAR

Daughter of Ramón, a bastaixo of whom Arnau keeps a noble memory. This girl becomes an orphan because of the city’s plague, after which she will become Arnau’s protegée.