Castell de Granollers de Rocacorba

Castell de Granollers de Rocacorba is a former fortified residence standing in the hamlet of Granollers de Rocacorba, within the municipality of Sant Martí de Llémena, in the Gironès region of Catalonia. The site is officially listed as a cultural asset of national interest (bé cultural d'interès nacional), even though very little of the original castle structure is visible today — it has been absorbed into the shape of a working farmhouse.

Where exactly is the castle located?

The building sits in the middle of the small Granollers plain, right next to the church of Santa Maria de Granollers. It's a quiet, low-key spot in the Llémena river valley, away from the main tourist routes — a good stop for travelers who want the everyday countryside of inland Gironès rather than a crowded monument.

What is the history behind it?

The earliest written records of the castle date to 1237, but historians believe the structure is older, likely dating back to the 11th century, when local feudal lordships were taking shape in this part of Catalonia. For centuries the castle served as the seat of the barony of Granollers de Rocacorba, a local feudal jurisdiction.

In 1379 the barony was granted to Pere Galceran de Cartellà i de Santvicenç, lord of Cartellà. Ownership later passed through several noble families: first to the Ardena de Sabastida, then to the Rocabruna, and eventually to the Montoliu. The castle remained the administrative center of the barony until the 19th century.

What remains of the original castle today?

Once it stopped functioning as a feudal seat, the building was converted into a typical Catalan rural farmhouse, a masia. The remodeling carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries was thorough enough that the old defensive walls are now practically indistinguishable within the current structure. The farmhouse is still inhabited today, meaning that unlike many Catalan castles left as ruins, this one has stayed in continuous residential use for centuries.

For visitors, this means there are no dramatic towers or battlements to photograph. What the site offers instead is a clear illustration of how medieval feudal structures in Catalonia evolved over time — from a fortress, to a noble residence, to a working farm.

Is it worth visiting?

The site appeals mainly to those interested in local history and rural architecture, as well as people exploring the Llémena valley by bike or on foot. The surroundings are peaceful, framed by the fields and hills of Gironès, which makes it easy to combine with visits to nearby villages in the Llémena valley or with countryside walking routes. Think of it as a stop for slow travelers who appreciate the authentic, uncrowded landscape of Catalonia's interior, rather than a full-day destination on its own.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the castle? The building is a private, inhabited farmhouse (masia), so it doesn't operate as a standard tourist attraction with regular indoor access. In practice, visits are limited to viewing the exterior and the surrounding area.

Are any defensive walls still visible? Very little remains visible. The 18th- and 19th-century renovations erased most traces of the original fortification, and the building today looks much more like a classic Catalan masia than a medieval castle.

How old is the castle? The first documented references date to 1237, but historians believe the site is older, probably originating in the 11th century.

What else is nearby? The church of Santa Maria de Granollers stands right next to it, and the whole site sits on a small plain within the municipality of Sant Martí de Llémena, in the Llémena river valley.