Castell de Montbui

Castell de Montbui is a medieval castle ruin in the municipality of Bigues i Riells, in Catalonia's Vallès Oriental region. The fortress sits atop a hill rising 541 metres above sea level, at the western edge of the municipality, between the towns of Caldes de Montbui and Sant Feliu de Codines. It suits travelers who enjoy pairing a hillside walk with a slice of history, without crowds or entrance tickets.

How do you get to the castle?

Castell de Montbui lies away from the town centre of Bigues i Riells, perched on high ground, so reaching it means walking up from nearby roads or trails connecting the municipality to neighbouring towns. Given the elevation and remote setting, it's worth planning the visit as part of a longer hike through Vallès Oriental, ideally in sturdy footwear — the terrain around the ruins is uneven, and the site itself has no visitor infrastructure such as parking or a marked entrance.

What will you see on site?

Of the castle that once served as the seat of the Barony of Montbui, only fragments of the perimeter walls remain today, along with the remnants of a few towers and interior rooms. This isn't a restored attraction with a full reconstruction — rather, authentic, partly overgrown ruins that still convey the scale of the former stronghold and its strategic position. From 541 metres, the view extends over the surrounding hills of Vallès Oriental, itself a fitting reward for the climb.

What's the history behind it?

The earliest records of Castell de Montbui date back to 987, making it one of the older documented defensive sites in the region. In 995, the Counts of Barcelona granted it as a fief to Gombau de Besora, who administered the castle until his death in 1050, after which it passed to his daughter, Guisla de Besora. For centuries, the castle remained the seat of the Barony of Montbui.

A turning point came in 1490, when under the so-called Privilege of Delivery, jurisdiction over the barony passed to the Council of One Hundred of Barcelona. In 1714, following the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, the barony was finally absorbed into the Crown. It was that very defeat that sealed the castle's fate — the victorious Bourbons ordered its destruction, leaving the building in the ruined state it remains in today.

When's the best time to visit?

Since there are no covered exhibits and the ruins sit exposed on an open hillside, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, when temperatures suit longer walks and visibility across the area is at its best. In summer, the climb to 541 metres under full sun can be tiring, so an early-morning visit is the better choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castell de Montbui a rebuilt castle? No. Only fragments of the perimeter walls and remnants of towers and interior rooms survive — these are authentic ruins, not a reconstruction.

Who built and governed the castle? The castle has been documented since 987. From 995 it was held as a fief by the Besora family, starting with Gombau de Besora, and for centuries it served as the seat of the Barony of Montbui.

Why is the castle in ruins today? After the defeat in the War of the Spanish Succession, the Bourbons ordered the castle destroyed, and the barony was incorporated into the Crown in 1714.

Is the walk up to the castle difficult? The castle sits on a hill 541 metres above sea level, between Caldes de Montbui and Sant Feliu de Codines, so reaching it requires walking uphill — there's no organized visitor infrastructure on site.