Castell de Godmar

Castell de Godmar is a fortified country manor in the Pomar de Dalt district of Badalona, set on the hillside above the city near the Serralada de Marina range. Also known locally as Cal Comte, it is listed as a cultural asset of national interest in Catalonia and remains one of the oldest continuously owned properties in the area — held by the same family for more than six centuries.

Where does the name come from and what is its history?

The site's documented history stretches back to the 10th century. In 989, the Bishop of Girona, Godmar III, acquired the land, and his name has stuck to the property ever since. By 1030, records describe it as an alou — land held outright, free of feudal obligations. Some historians believe the earliest structure may have been built over the remains of a Roman villa, which would place Godmar within a much longer chain of settlement on this ground stretching back to antiquity.

Over the following centuries the building was reshaped repeatedly. Romanesque elements from the 12th and 13th centuries survive alongside Gothic additions from the 15th century, giving the complex a layered, centuries-deep character. In the 19th century the estate underwent a substantial remodeling in the neo-medieval style fashionable in Catalonia at the time, which gave the building much of the picturesque silhouette it still shows today, blending several architectural eras into one coherent whole.

What can you see on site?

Castell de Godmar is, above all, an architectural experience — a structure that combines the austere, defensive lines of its medieval core with the more decorative touches added during its romantic-era restoration. Look out for the tower and the surrounding perimeter wall, both reminders of the building's original defensive role, back when Pomar de Dalt sat well outside Badalona's town walls and needed its own protection.

Importantly, the building is still inhabited by descendants of the owning family, so interior visits are not a standard tourist option — this is a lived-in residence, not a museum. The grounds around the castle, however, serve a recreational purpose: they host a pitch and putt course, a shorter-format variant of golf, making the surrounding area appealing to visitors looking for some outdoor activity away from the bustle of central Badalona.

How do you get there?

Castell de Godmar sits in Pomar de Dalt, the higher, greener part of Badalona, a city roughly 10 km northeast of Barcelona along the Mediterranean coast. The easiest way to reach it is by car or taxi from central Badalona, since the district climbs the slopes near the Serralada de Marina and involves a fairly steep approach. Travelers relying on public transport can take a bus to the lower part of Pomar and continue on foot uphill from there.

Badalona has a direct rail connection to Barcelona via the R1 Rodalies line, making it an easy day trip from the Catalan capital or from the airport. It's worth pairing a visit to the castle with a walk through Pomar de Dalt itself, a district with a distinctly rural feel that contrasts with the dense seafront blocks closer to the city center.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the elevated position and open surroundings, spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions, with milder temperatures than the height of the Catalan summer. Mornings tend to bring the clearest light, which flatters the stonework of the façade.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the castle? No — it remains a private residence, still inhabited by the same family that has owned it for generations, so the interior is not open to visitors. It is best appreciated from the outside.

Where does the name Godmar come from? From the Bishop of Girona, Godmar III, who acquired the land in 989. His name has remained attached to the property ever since.

What else can you do near the castle? The surrounding grounds host a pitch and putt course, popular with local residents looking for an easy outdoor sports activity close to nature.

Is the castle connected to the area's Roman past? Possibly — some historians suggest the earliest structure may have stood on the site of a Roman villa, though this has not been conclusively confirmed by archaeological findings.