Castell de Puig-alder

Castell de Puig-alder is the ruin of a medieval castle rising above the hamlet of Cogolls, in the municipality of les Planes d'Hostoles, in the Garrotxa region of Catalonia. It stands on a hillside at roughly 707 metres above sea level, overlooking the Cogolls valley, and is listed as a cultural property of national interest in Catalonia.

What is the history behind the castle?

The earliest written record of Puig-alder dates to 1020, when it appears in the sacramental testament of Count Bernat Tallaferro of Besalú. Together with the nearby castles of Hostoles and Colltort, it formed part of a defensive line that marked the border between the bishoprics of Vic and Girona — a clear sign of its strategic weight in the early medieval period.

During the 12th century a chapel dedicated to Sant Salvador was built within the castle grounds, documented from 1184 onward. That chapel, remodelled several times through the late medieval and early modern periods to house residents and hermits, is what has survived to the present day as the main physical trace of the fortification. The castle itself, Romanesque in origin, was destroyed — most likely by earthquakes, which repeatedly damaged defensive structures across this part of Catalonia.

A key moment in the site's more recent history came in 1984, when restoration work on the chapel uncovered a sculpture of the Virgin Mary dating to the late 13th century. The piece was moved to the Girona Art Museum, where it remains on display today.

What can you see there today?

Don't expect intact defensive walls — what survives at Puig-alder is mainly the restored Sant Salvador chapel, along with foundation remains and the terrain that once held the castle complex. The site still carries a distinctly medieval feel: the chapel's stone architecture, the surrounding woodland, and sweeping views over the Brugent valley and the hills of Garrotxa from such an elevated spot.

The chapel is not just a historical remnant — it stays in active use. Every year, on the Saturday before the feast of Santa Montserrat, a mass is celebrated here, keeping the site alive as part of local religious tradition rather than a purely archaeological stop.

How do you get there?

Access starts at the hamlet of Cogolls, part of the les Planes d'Hostoles municipality. From Cogolls, the castle is reached on foot via a path that climbs steadily through woodland typical of Garrotxa. It's a popular route among hikers in the area, often combined with a visit to the nearby Castell d'Hostoles and the river gorges of Gorgs del Brugent.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the uphill, wooded terrain, spring and autumn are the best seasons — temperatures are mild and views over the valley are at their clearest. Summer in Garrotxa can get hot, making the climb harder, while winter rain can leave the path slippery.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any standing walls left from the castle? Not in the form of classic defensive walls — earthquakes largely destroyed them. What remains is the Sant Salvador chapel, rebuilt over the centuries, which stands as the main physical evidence of the former castle complex.

Can you go inside the chapel? The chapel is used on specific occasions, mainly for the annual mass held on the Saturday before Santa Montserrat. It's worth checking local information beforehand if seeing the interior is the goal.

Where is the Virgin Mary sculpture found during the restoration now? The late-13th-century sculpture, discovered during the 1984 restoration, is now housed at the Girona Art Museum.

How long does the walk from Cogolls take? It's an uphill hike on foot; the exact time depends on pace, but it's typically a several-hour outing usually combined with other stops in the valley, such as Castell d'Hostoles.