Castell de Roca

Castell de Roca is a medieval fortified residence in the municipality of Sant Miquel de Campmajor, in the Pla de l'Estany region of Girona province, in the heart of Catalonia. It stands on the bank of the Ser stream, close to the point where it meets the Ritort, surrounded by the green Campmajor valley.

What kind of building is it exactly?

Despite the word "castell" (castle) in its name, the building is actually a fortified noble residence — the type known in the neighboring Garrotxa region as a "força". It belonged to the Roca family, whose lineage as knights is documented as far back as 1174, placing them among Catalonia's lower nobility. Records show that before 1279 the lord of the castle was one Pere de Roca, who was buried in nearby Banyoles. Later, in 1320, the property passed to Pere de Prat of Girona, who granted a plot of land within the castle's forest. Because of its historical value, the building has been declared a Catalan cultural asset of national interest (BCIN).

What does it look like today?

Centuries of continuous use have reshaped the building's character — today it resembles an extended masia, the traditional Catalan farmhouse, more than a classic defensive castle. It has, however, retained its distinctive tower on the left side of the main, south-facing façade. That tower holds the oldest and most authentic surviving feature: a 13th-century window in the late Romanesque style. The whole structure is made up of three interconnected buildings, evidence of gradual expansion over the centuries. The site is privately owned, so in practice visits are limited to viewing it from outside, along the nearby trails.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Just below the castle stands the old La Roca water mill, dating from the medieval period, together with the artificial channel that once powered its wheel. The Campmajor valley is also known for its small lakes of tectonic origin, geologically linked to the much larger lake at Banyoles — one of the biggest natural bodies of water in Catalonia.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Castell de Roca is a popular hiking destination, reached via routes such as the trail through the Roca and Briolf veïnats (hamlets), roughly 9.5 km long with gentle elevation gain. The route makes for a great full-day outing combining history with nature, especially in spring and autumn, when temperatures around Girona are mild and the valley is at its greenest. In summer, it's best to set out early, since parts of the trail offer little shade. The starting point is usually the village of Sant Miquel de Campmajor itself, from which paths lead through the fields and woods of the Pla de l'Estany region.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the castle? No — Castell de Roca is privately owned and functions as a working farmhouse (masia). It can only be admired from the outside, from nearby paths and hiking trails.

How long does the hike to the castle take? The popular route through the Roca and Briolf hamlets covers about 9.5 km, which typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours at a moderate pace, depending on how many stops you make along the way.

How is a "castell" like this different from a typical defensive castle? This is a fortified residence of the "força" type — a smaller, noble defensive house rather than a large military fortress. Buildings of this kind were common across the Garrotxa region and neighboring valleys in medieval times.

What else can you combine with a visit here? Nearby you'll find the old La Roca mill with its historic water channel, along with the picturesque tectonic lakes of the Campmajor valley, connected to the lake at Banyoles.