Castell de Solivella

Castell de Solivella is a medieval castle standing on a hill above the village of Solivella, in the Conca de Barberà comarca (Tarragona province, Catalonia). Little more than ruins remain of the original building today, but its history stretches back to the 11th century and takes in several noble owners, a Gothic-Renaissance rebuilding, and a partial demolition in the early 20th century.

Where is the castle in Solivella located?

The ruins sit on a hilltop roughly 513 metres above sea level, right above the built-up centre of Solivella, a small village in the farming and wine-growing comarca of Conca de Barberà. Getting there is straightforward: the site can be reached by ordinary car, followed by a short climb up from the village.

How did the castle's history begin?

The earliest known reference to the stronghold dates from 1076, when a document names it "ipso castro de Olivela". The family that held the castle and took its name is first recorded in 1204, when a certain Pere d'Olivella (Solivella) appears as a witness to a donation. During the 13th century the castle belonged to the Puigverd family, passing afterwards to the Anglesola family through the marriage of Elvira de Puigverd to Berenguer Arnau d'Anglesola. In the early 14th century, the monastery of Santes Creus bought the castle from the Anglesola heirs for 50,000 sous, but King James II later ordered it returned to its former owners.

What did the Llorac family change?

The turning point came on 9 September 1424, when King Alfonso the Magnanimous sold the castle to Ramon Berenguer de Llorac for 16,000 Barcelona sous. It was the Llorac family who, at the end of the 15th century and start of the 16th, built a new fortified residence over the older stronghold, blending Gothic elements with early Renaissance forms. The result is considered an example of Catalan Flamboyant Gothic from the transitional period between the medieval and early modern eras.

Why is the castle a ruin today?

The building's fortunes turned in the 19th century, when it suffered damage during the Carlist Wars. The final blow came in 1915, when Solivella's municipal authorities had a large part of the structure torn down, leaving the former Gothic-Renaissance residence standing today mainly as a partial ruin.

What can visitors see on site today?

The remains of the castle are listed in Catalonia's catalogue of architectural heritage (reference ARCAT MCB-0878) and are under heritage protection. The site is documented as part of the heritage resources of the Conca de Barberà comarca, linked among others to the Museu Comarcal de la Conca de Barberà. Visitors can walk around the surviving wall sections and trace the layout of the former building, though it is not a fully reconstructed site nor one with regular indoor museum visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Castell de Solivella located? On a hilltop above the village of Solivella, in the Conca de Barberà comarca, Tarragona province, Catalonia, at an altitude of around 513 metres.

When was the castle built? The stronghold is first mentioned in 1076, and the family that took its name is documented from 1204 onward.

Who rebuilt the castle into a Gothic-Renaissance residence? The Llorac family, who bought the castle in 1424 from King Alfonso the Magnanimous and built the new residence at the end of the 15th and start of the 16th century.

Why is mostly a ruin left of the castle? The building was damaged during the 19th-century Carlist Wars, and in 1915 Solivella's municipal authorities demolished a large part of it.

Can the castle be visited today? Yes, the ruins are accessible and easy to reach by car, though it is a protected, partially ruined site rather than a fully restored museum building.