Castell de Navata

Castell de Navata is a medieval fortress in the village of Navata, in the Alt Empordà county of Girona province, Catalonia. Its ruins sit on a low hill above the village, close to Figueres, overlooking the flat farmland typical of the Empordà plain.

What is the history behind the castle?

The castle at Navata is first documented in the 11th century, when the area belonged to the county of Besalú. Between 1052 and 1093, the lords of Navata signed a series of feudal agreements with the bishop of Girona, a sign of the site's strategic value even in this early period. In 1099, Bernat Adalbert de Navata handed the castle over to Count Bernat III of Besalú, receiving it back as a fief shortly after.

By the 14th century, lordship of Navata had passed to the Rocabertí family, originally based in nearby Peralada. Guerau de Rocabertí held the castle in 1320, and when he died without heirs in 1323, it passed to his brother, viscount Jofre IV de Rocabertí. The family retained control for generations, using the stronghold as a defensive outpost amid the rivalries between local noble houses.

How did the building change over time?

The Rocabertí of Peralada reinforced and expanded the structure in the 13th century, adapting it to withstand prolonged sieges. A further round of upgrades came in the 15th century, when the walls and towers were thickened and loopholes and battlements were added to cope with the growing use of firearms. In 1389, during clashes between Catalan and French forces, Navata's castle became a contested position, occupied at different points by both sides.

Only the chapel survives from the original 11th–12th century structure, tucked beneath the tower at the north-west corner of the present ruins. The rest of the visible walls date from the 13th and 14th centuries, with substantial modifications added in the 15th.

What can visitors see today?

Castell de Navata now stands as an evocative ruin: sections of defensive walls, remnants of the tower, and traces of the old chapel let visitors trace the fortress's several building phases across the centuries. The hilltop position gives sweeping views over the surrounding Alt Empordà plain, making it a popular vantage point in the area.

How do you get there?

Navata lies in Girona province, right next to Figueres, one of the main towns of the Alt Empordà region and well connected to the rest of Catalonia. The village itself is small and rural, and the castle ruins rise on a hill within its boundaries, surrounded by the fields and orchards typical of the Empordà countryside.

When is the best time to visit?

Girona province enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, which makes exploring an open-air ruin like this pleasant for most of the year — spring and autumn in particular, when temperatures are comfortable and the surrounding Alt Empordà landscape is at its most scenic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Castell de Navata? A medieval defensive castle first documented in the 11th century, held over the centuries by successive noble families, including the Rocabertí of Peralada.

What remains of the original building? Only the chapel from the 11th–12th century structure survives, hidden beneath the tower at the north-west corner of the ruins.

Why was the castle rebuilt so many times? Successive owners reinforced it to withstand sieges in the 13th century, then adapted it for defense against firearms in the 15th century.

Where exactly is the castle located? In the village of Navata, in the Alt Empordà county of Girona province, near Figueres.