Castell de Montmany

Castell de Montmany is a medieval fortress standing on a hilltop in the municipality of Figaró-Montmany, in the Catalan comarca of Vallès Oriental, north of Barcelona. Now reduced to ruins, the castle - also known as Castell dels Moros, Castell del Prat or Castell de la Rovira - dates back to the 11th-12th century and ranks among the oldest surviving traces of defensive architecture in this part of Catalonia.

What is the history behind the castle?

Castell de Montmany was built as a defensive stronghold guarding access to the valley and the routes running through Vallès Oriental. For centuries it served a military and administrative role typical of the many fortifications raised along Catalonia's frontier territories during that era. Only ruins remain today, but the surviving wall layout still reveals the building's original character and its strategic hilltop position.

The several names attached to the site - Castell dels Moros ("castle of the Moors"), Castell del Prat and Castell de la Rovira - reflect local oral tradition and different periods in the castle's history, when it became associated with various families or with legends passed down among residents of the area.

How do you get there?

The ruins sit within the municipality of Figaró-Montmany, at the heart of Vallès Oriental - a comarca stretched between the Montseny mountain range and the Congost river valley. Because the fortress occupies a raised position, reaching it usually involves a walk along a trail through the surrounding hills, which is itself part of the appeal for hikers exploring Catalonia's inland countryside.

The Figaró-Montmany area is known for scenery that blends farmland with the wooded, rolling foothills of the Montseny massif, so a visit to the castle ruins is often combined with a longer walk through the region.

What will you see on site?

Visitors find the remaining defensive walls of the old fortress - evidence of medieval military architecture nearly a thousand years old. Although the structure survives only as a ruin, the traceable outline of the building and the vantage point offered by its hilltop setting give a sense of the site's original defensive purpose and strategic importance.

Thanks to its elevated position, the area around the castle offers wide views over this part of Vallès Oriental, making it an appealing stop both for visitors interested in history and for those simply seeking scenic viewpoints in the region.

When is the best time to visit?

Since reaching the ruins involves walking across open, uneven terrain, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, when Catalan temperatures suit outdoor activity and the vegetation covering the surrounding hills looks its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Castell de Montmany? The castle dates from the 11th-12th century and belongs to the medieval defensive structures typical of the Vallès Oriental region.

Can the castle still be visited today? The site survives only as a ruin, so a visit means exploring the remains of historic architecture rather than touring a restored building.

Where do the castle's other names come from? Castell dels Moros, Castell del Prat and Castell de la Rovira are names used in parallel within local tradition, tied to different periods and historical associations connected to the site.

Where exactly is the castle located? The ruins lie in the municipality of Figaró-Montmany, in the Vallès Oriental comarca of Catalonia, in the province of Barcelona.