Discover the Castles of Catalunya

Medieval castles dot the land of Catalunya, all at one time or another populated by feudal lords—characters who now only exist in history books and fairy tales. While there are many ways to discover the region’s vast history, none are quite as enchanting as hunting down one of these formidable castles and hearing the legends that transform them into more than stone and mortar.

Castell de Miravet

Nestled in the southern tip of Catalunya, on the leafy banks of the Ebro River, is the village and castle of Miravet, the largest fortified complex in the region. To reach it from the C-12 you can board a ferry to cross the river, the last of its kind in the territory of Terres de l’Ebre. Although a medieval tax is no longer charged for the crossing, the journey—powered by the river’s current alone—is an experience in itself. 

The old town of Miravet was founded by the Moors, who made great use of the crag in this spot, and was then rebuilt by the Knights Templar, who transformed it into an impregnable fortress-monastery after its conquest in 1153. Castell de Miravet subsequently became one of the primary centers of Christian power on the Iberian Peninsula. It remains one of the best examples of Romanesque, religious and military architecture of the Templar order in the Western world.

Another draw for visitors are the clay pottery workshops throughout the town of Miravet, a tangible affirmation of the area’s most ancestral tradition. The forms, which include jars, pitchers and vats, and the glazes have Islamic influences. There are eight running workshops in the Raval quarter where you can see masters of the craft at work, making pieces by hand using potter’s wheels. One such potter is Ferran Segarra i Vives. Although he’s retired now, he worked in the town for 34 years, mastering "the art of mud." His shop in the village of Miravet, Ceràmiques Ferran, is run by his son today and still sells a wide range of Catalan ceramics, which are certified fet a má (handmade). Segarra also has a private museum above the shop, which holds more than 1,000 antique Spanish ceramic items and opens to the public upon request. Tickets are €5.00 for adults and admission is free for children under 16 years old. Guided tours are available for an additional €4.00 (free for children eight and under), but must be booked in advance.

Camí del Castell, s/n, 43747 Miravet, Ribera d'Ebre, Tarragona Province | Tel. 977 40 73 68 | patrimoni.gencat.cat

Castell de Montsoriu 

Situated in the stunning natural landscape of the Montseny massif is what some have deemed the greatest Gothic castle in Catalunya. A visit to Castell de Montsoriu gives you the chance to journey back in time to the 14th century when, thanks to its unbeatable vantage point at the top of a 600-meter-high hill. The castle became the military headquarters of the viscounts of the House of Cabrera during a period when the dynasty was one of the most powerful in the region. With a guide, learn firsthand what military and civilian life was like in one of the most impressive fortresses of the Crown of Aragon.

There are a number of legends associated with  Montsoriu Castle. It’s said that at exactly midnight, the Red Lady of the castle peeks her unkempt head out of the top of the tower. In her right hand she carries a burning lamp, and in her left hand, a hunting horn. After she blows the horn three times, her call is answered and a little while later a knight dressed in black appears, riding a horse of fire. He climbs up the tower, whisks the Red Lady onto his horse, and they disappear into the darkness of the night. 

It’s also believed that outside the castle walls, three snakes live in one of the caves of Montsoriu. Each snake carries a diamond in its mouth, which they only set down when drinking from the nearby spring. The lucky individual who can snatch one away at this precise moment would be richer than he or she ever imagined. Tickets are €4.00 for adults and an additional €1.00 to join a guided tour, children under 13 get in free.

Camí del Castell de Montsoriu, 17401 Arbúcies, Girona Province | Tel. 972 01 19 60 | montsoriu.cat

Castell de Sant Ferran

Following the negotiation of the Treaty of the Pyrenees—signed to end the 1635-1659 war between France and Spain—the Fort de Bellegarde, located in the modern-day French commune of Le Perthus, passed into the hands of the French state. To replace the lost bastion and protect the Spanish region of l’Empordà from possible future invasions, it was decided that Sant Ferran Castle would be built on a hill in Figueres. The first stone was placed on December 13th, 1753.

In order to erect its towering ramparts as part of an incredible exterior defense system, a workforce of nearly 4,000 people toiled away every day for 13 years. Today, Sant Ferran Castle is considered the largest bastion fortress in Europe, covering a total area of 550,000 square meters (about 10 times as big as Windsor Castle in the U.K.). The parade ground is one of the main attractions, below which are four large cisterns that can be toured by rubber dinghy—together they are able to hold up to 40 million liters of water. The grounds also include stables housed in an imposing hangar with space for 450 horses. 

Open to the public since 1997, Sant Ferran Castle is located less than two kilometers from the Dalí Theatre and Museum, allowing for a complete day of aesthetic fun.

Carrer Pujada del Castell s/n, 17600 Figueres, Girona Province | Tel. 972 50 60 94 | castillosanfernando.org

Castell de Peralada 

The history of the current Peralada Castle dates back to 1285, when the first fortress of the Viscounts of Peralada was destroyed during a war with France. Rather than restoring the original, the viscounts decided to build a new fortress outside the walls, to avoid spatial limitations. Jumping ahead to 1875, the Counts of Rocabertí refurbished the medieval military fortress, converting it into a French-style château, and designed an extensive park next to their new palace. Lush landscapes, a French rose garden, a modest lake and a noteworthy white stork colony can be found in the park, thanks to a recovery project that was launched in 1995.

There’s something for everyone here. Wander around the Carme Church and its cloister, built in the typical Catalan Gothic style, or visit the wine museum located in an old cellar, where the wines were first produced in the 14th century. The winery is still in operation and visitors can learn about (and taste) Peralada Castle’s most traditional and cherished cava, Gran Claustro. 

The Museum of Glass and Ceramics (Museu del Vidre i la Ceràmica) is also on the grounds of the castle. Considered one of the the most important glass museums in Spain, it contains more than 2,500 ancient pieces of glass, the origins of which range from Pharaonic Egypt to the 19th century. Of particular interest are the 18th and 19th-century cups and saucers that were invented by Mancero, the Viceroy of Mexico, used to drink thick hot chocolate.

Finally, the library is one of the castle’s most famous cultural features. With checkerboard tiled floors and warm wooden shelves, the library houses, among other things, one of the best private Cervantes collections in the world, with around 5,000 works, including more than 1,000 different editions of Don Quijote in 33 languages. Make a weekend out of your trip to this castle and book a room at Hotel Peralada, where you can receive the royal treatment at the hotel’s wine spa.  

Tickets for the castle museum are €7.00 for adults; children under 10 get in free.

Plaça del Carme, s/n, 17491 Peralada, Girona Province | Tel. 972 53 89 34 | museucastellperalada.com

Originally published October 2017, updated August 24, 2021.