Castell de Fontanilles

Castell de Fontanilles is a set of medieval castle ruins standing on a hill above the village of Fontanilles, in the Baix Empordà comarca of Girona province, Catalonia. Locally known as "El Castellot," it occupies the northern of the village's two hills and dominates the surrounding countryside, especially to the east, where the Costa Brava coastline can be glimpsed on a clear day.

What will you see?

Only fragments remain of the original fortification: sections of stone wall and the remains of round towers. The structure was never large — most likely a small castle, watchtower, or simple defensive post overseeing the fertile Empordà plain. Over the centuries much of its stonework was dismantled and reused in other village buildings, leaving today's ruins modest and fragmentary. Despite this, the site has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional), a recognition of its historical value.

The climb up the hill is part of the experience: from the top you get a clear view over the rooftops of Fontanilles, the surrounding farmland, and, on good days, the Mediterranean in the distance. It's a quiet, uncrowded spot, well suited to history lovers and landscape photographers alike.

What is the history behind it?

Settlement in the area dates back to the early Middle Ages — the name "Villa Fontanilias" already appears in documents from the year 959, listed among the possessions of Count Gausfred of Empúries. No surviving record, however, directly links that early mention to a fortified building. The ruins visible today are dated to the 11th and 12th centuries, a period when the Empordà region was covered with a dense network of small castles and watchtowers built to protect villages and control trade routes.

Fontanilles was never a major seat of power, and unlike some better-documented strongholds nearby, the history of its castellot remains largely fragmentary — part of what gives the site its quiet, mysterious character.

How do you get there?

Fontanilles sits in the heart of the Baix Empordà, roughly 33 km from Girona, close to well-known Costa Brava towns such as Pals and Torroella de Montgrí. The village is most easily reached by car via the local Empordà road network. The castle ruins sit on the hill directly above the village houses, and reaching them involves a short uphill walk, making the site accessible without any special hiking preparation.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, when Empordà temperatures are mild and the hillside greenery contrasts nicely with the pale stone ruins. Summers in the region can be hot and intensely sunny, so an early-morning or late-afternoon visit is more comfortable for the climb. Winter brings a starker, quieter landscape, with the ruins largely to yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Castell de Fontanilles? It's the ruins of a medieval castle or watchtower from the 11th-12th centuries, sitting on a hilltop above the village of Fontanilles in Girona province.

Is there an entrance fee? The site consists of open, unrestricted ruins reached by walking up the hill, so there is no formal entry process.

Can I combine a visit with the Costa Brava? Yes — Fontanilles lies close to the popular towns of Pals and Torroella de Montgrí, making it easy to fold a stop at the ruins into a broader day out around the Empordà region.

What has survived of the original structure? Fragments of the defensive walls and remains of round towers still stand; most of the rest of the stonework was removed over time and reused elsewhere.