Castell de Vilaüt

Castell de Vilaüt is a medieval castle ruin in the village of Pau, in the Alt Empordà region of Catalonia (Girona province).

What is this place?

Castell de Vilaüt is the remains of a fortified stronghold standing south of the village center of Pau, near the Vilaüt neighborhood, in an area of farmland known as Camp del Castell. The site is listed as a cultural property of national interest in Catalonia. The place-name Vilaüt is first documented as early as 953, in a charter issued by King Louis the Transmarine in favor of the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. The surviving walls themselves are dated to the 13th–14th centuries, based on the masonry technique used — small, roughly worked stones combined with some dressed blocks. By the 15th century the castle belonged to the Sagarriga family, lords of Palau-saverdera: a 1410 record names the widow Caterina Sagarriga and her son Bernat as lords of Vilaüt.

What will you see there?

What remains today are fragments of the defensive walls and traces of the ditch that once surrounded the whole complex. The layout suggests the fortification formed a large, rectangular walled enclosure. At the southeastern end stand the remains of what was probably a square or rectangular tower, while inside the former courtyard two walls meeting at a right angle, roughly 5 metres high, are thought to be the vestiges of a second tower. This is a site for visitors interested in archaeology and medieval Catalan history rather than a restored castle with guided tours — expect atmospheric, partly overgrown ruins set among open fields.

How do you get there?

The long-distance GR-92-0 trail passes right in front of the castle remains, making Castell de Vilaüt a natural stop for hikers exploring the Alt Empordà countryside. Pau itself lies within easy reach of the Costa Brava coastline and of Figueres, the regional capital, so a visit to the ruins can easily be combined with exploring the wider area.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the site sits in open farmland with no shelter or facilities, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, when Empordà temperatures are milder than in high summer and the surrounding fields and paths are at their most scenic. It's worth building a visit to Castell de Vilaüt into a longer walk that also takes in the village of Pau and other sights nearby in Alt Empordà.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Castell de Vilaüt a standing castle or a ruin? It's a ruin — fragments of walls, the outline of a defensive ditch, and traces of two towers survive, but the original structure is no longer intact.

How old is the castle? The site is documented as early as 953, though the walls still visible today date from the 13th–14th centuries.

Who owned the castle? By the 15th century it belonged to the Sagarriga family, lords of Palau-saverdera — a 1410 record names Caterina Sagarriga and her son Bernat as lords of Vilaüt.

Can you reach the ruins on foot? Yes, the GR-92-0 long-distance trail runs right past the site and is popular with hikers exploring Alt Empordà.