Castell de Montpalau

Spain, Spain

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Castell de Montpalau in Pineda de Mar, Maresme region of Catalonia, Spain, comprises the ruins of an 11th-century Romanesque fortress atop Montpalau hill at 269 meters elevation, originally built on an Iberian settlement site from the 4th century BC whose stones were reused in its construction.

Documented since the mid-11th century when lords Umbert Odó and Sicardis pledged loyalty to Count Ramon Berenguer I, it controlled a vast jurisdiction from Arenys to Hortsavinyà, passing to the Viscounts of Cabrera until 1574 and later to the Marquesses of Aitona and Dukes of Medinaceli.

Featuring remnants of square-layout walls with yellowish corner blocks, a central cylindrical tower, and nearby Sant Miquel chapel ruins, the site requires a 30-minute uphill hike and offers panoramic coastal views as a Cultural Asset of National Interest.