Castell de Vila-sacra

Castell de Vila-sacra is a medieval fortified tower standing at the heart of Vila-sacra, a small village in the Alt Empordà region, just a few kilometers from Figueres. Also known as the Abbot's Castle or the Abbot's Palace, the building has been closely tied to the fortunes of the nearby Sant Pere de Rodes monastery for centuries, making it one of the region's more intriguing historical landmarks.

Why is it called the "Abbot's Castle"?

Vila-sacra already appears in written records as early as 974, in a letter from Pope Benedict VI to Abbot Hildesint of Sant Pere de Rodes, confirming the area had long belonged to the monastery's holdings. The castle itself, however, was only acquired by the monastery in 1240, when it was purchased from Gilabert de Cruïlles, after which the monks gradually expanded their properties throughout Vila-sacra. From then on the building served as the abbot's administrative residence, which is where its popular name comes from.

What will you see there?

The centerpiece is a circular tower roughly 14 meters tall, built with a truncated conical top and walls an impressive 2.75 meters thick. Construction most likely began in the 11th century, but work continued across several later phases — the tower's crown itself dates from the 16th century or later. Around the tower, buildings erected in different construction phases form a fortified palace complex, showing Gothic-Renaissance features from the 15th and 16th centuries alongside later alterations. It's precisely this contrast between the austere defensive tower and the more refined palace wings that makes the complex architecturally compelling.

A brief but significant chapter for the monastery

The most remarkable episode in the castle's history unfolded at the turn of the 19th century. Following the French occupation of 1797, the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery was left in ruins, and its remote, exposed location made it vulnerable to criminal activity. In response to the monks' request, a royal decree issued in 1798 authorized the transfer of the monastic community to Vila-sacra. The Abbot's Castle then became the temporary seat of the abbey. The stay was short-lived, though — the monks soon began arranging another move, this time to Figueres, where they finally relocated in 1818.

How to get there?

Vila-sacra sits just a few kilometers from Figueres, one of Alt Empordà's main towns and well connected to the rest of Catalonia by road and rail. The easiest way to reach Vila-sacra from Figueres is by car, a drive of only about fifteen minutes. It's a convenient stop for travelers heading toward Sant Pere de Rodes or the Costa Brava, letting you fold in a lesser-known but historically connected site along the way.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons, when temperatures across the Alt Empordà plain are mild and the surrounding countryside looks its best. Summer can get hot and busy given the region's proximity to the coast, so quieter months are generally a better bet for a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the castle? The building is a historic property in private or local hands, so interior access may be limited — visitors can typically admire the tower and palace architecture from the outside.

Why is it also called the Abbot's Palace? Because for centuries it served as the administrative residence of the abbot of Sant Pere de Rodes, who managed the monastery's nearby estates from here.

What's the connection to the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery? The monks of Sant Pere de Rodes purchased the castle in 1240, and between 1798 and 1818 they made it the temporary seat of the entire abbey after their original monastery was devastated by war.

How old is the castle's tower? The oldest parts of the tower date back to the 11th century, though the structure was expanded and modified until the 16th century, when its current crown was completed.