Castell de Montpalau

Castell de Montpalau is a ruined medieval castle crowning a hilltop in the Montnegre range, within the municipality of Pineda de Mar in the Maresme region of Barcelona province. For centuries it presided over a wide stretch of territory bordering the lands of Palafolls castle.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The ruins sit on high ground above the town of Pineda de Mar, roughly an hour's drive northeast of Barcelona. Reaching the site means climbing steep footpaths — access is rated as difficult, and the land itself remains privately owned. Even so, the hilltop rewards the effort with sweeping views over the Maresme coastline and draws visitors curious about the region's medieval past.

What survives on site?

The outer wall traces an almost square perimeter roughly 28 meters to a side, built from irregular stone blocks bound with lime mortar. A double-arched window survives on the south-facing wall, its rounded outer arch paired with a flat lintel on the inside — one of the best-preserved architectural details anywhere on the site. At the heart of the complex once stood a cylindrical keep 6.5 meters across, with walls 1.45 meters thick; today only its ruined base remains, alongside collapsed sections of the northern rooms. Traces of a second, later defensive perimeter, thought to date from the 15th century, have also been identified. Outside the main walls, now overgrown, stands a small chapel dedicated to Saint Michael.

A long history before the castle

Long before any fortress stood here, the hilltop already had inhabitants: archaeologists have traced an Iberian settlement on the site back to the 4th century BC, one that continued into Roman times.

The castle itself first appears in written records in 1082, when the lord Umbert Odó and his wife Sicardis swore fealty to Count Ramon Berenguer I for the castles of Montpalau and Gironella. Through the 12th century, jurisdiction over Montpalau passed gradually to the viscounts of Cabrera, who by then governed a broad surrounding territory stretching from Arenys to Hortsavinyà. Bernat de Cabrera had the fortifications repaired in the 14th century. Ownership changed hands twice more in later centuries: the Montcada family acquired it in 1566, and in 1574 it was formally sold to Francesc de Montcada, Marquess of Aitona. In 1756, marriage ties brought the estate to the Dukes of Medinaceli.

Heritage protection today

Castell de Montpalau is listed on Catalonia's register of cultural assets of national interest (BCIN), entry 1241-MH, under a decree dated 22 April 1949, and it also appears in the regional architectural heritage inventory (IPA) as entry 1382. Despite this formal protection, its conservation is rated only fair: the former keep has collapsed, and sections of the northern walls have been lost to ongoing decay.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Castell de Montpalau? On a hilltop in the Montnegre range, within the municipality of Pineda de Mar, Barcelona province.

Can visitors explore the ruins? The site is privately owned and rated difficult to access, reached only via steep paths. Check local conditions before planning a visit.

How old is the castle? It is first documented in 1082, though the hill itself was already settled by Iberian communities in the 4th century BC.

Is the castle legally protected? Yes — since 1949 it has held BCIN status (no. 1241-MH) as a cultural asset of national interest.