Castell de Caldes

Castell de Caldes is a medieval castle ruin sitting right in the heart of Caldes de Malavella, a spa town in the La Selva county of Girona province, Catalonia. Only a stretch of wall and three towers survive, but the site remains one of the clearest physical links to the town's long relationship with its thermal waters.

Where exactly is the castle?

The remains stand on a small square next to the Roman baths, wedged between the streets leading to the old bathhouses and the building that today houses the county council. Right beside it is the Romanesque church of Sant Grau, dating from the 12th century, so the whole area reads as one compact historic ensemble in the middle of town. The site sits at roughly 41.8385°N, 2.80834°E.

What is the history behind it?

The castle was built in the 12th century, though it only turns up in written records in 1362, when the Bishop of Girona visited the town to take the waters. Notably, the fortress was raised directly on top of much older Roman-era baths — the defensive structure literally grew out of the foundations of a bathing complex that predated it by centuries. For generations Castell de Caldes served as a seat of feudal authority and formed part of the Barony of Llagostera, standing as a visible marker of local lords' control over both the population and the income generated by the springs. Caldes de Malavella actually had two castles in its history; this is the one closer to the town centre and the baths.

What has survived to today?

What remains of the original fortification is a section of curtain wall and three towers, conventionally labelled A, B and C. One stands next to the so-called Casa Rosa, now home to the county council offices; a second is embedded within a 20th-century building; the third rises northeast of the Roman baths. All three have been conserved and stabilised, so they can still be seen on site. Given its historical value, the ensemble has been listed as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest (BCIN) in Catalonia's heritage register.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Part of the old castle now houses Espai Aquae, a modern museum space dedicated to the town's long history with water and thermal bathing. It's a natural starting point for a visit, tying the story of the ancient baths to the medieval stronghold that later rose above them. A walk through the area pairs well with a stop at the Romanesque church of Sant Grau and a short detour to the Roman baths themselves, just a few dozen metres away.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the castle?

The surviving wall section and three towers stand in public space and can be viewed up close; part of the former castle grounds is now occupied by the Espai Aquae museum.

How old is Castell de Caldes?

The structure dates to the 12th century, although the earliest written reference to it comes from 1362.

Why was the castle built on this exact spot?

Because of the thermal springs prized since antiquity — the castle was raised directly over the earlier baths, giving its builders control of a strategic resource.

Was there only one castle in Caldes de Malavella?

No, the town historically had two castles; Castell de Caldes is the one located closer to the centre and the baths complex.

What protected status does the site have?

It is registered in Catalonia's heritage list as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest (BCIN).