Castell de Vilobí d'Onyar

Castell de Vilobí d'Onyar is a medieval castle standing at the northern edge of Vilobí d'Onyar, a town in the La Selva region of Girona province, Catalonia. The building is regarded as the origin point of the whole settlement and has been declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional) by the Catalan authorities.

What does the castle look like?

The castle follows a roughly square floor plan, with corner towers built on square bases and sloped, battered walls — a defensive design typical of Catalan fortified architecture. The main entrance is a double gateway: a lowered basket arch superimposed on a full pointed voussoir arch, through which a drawbridge once gave access to a small inner courtyard. In the 19th century, a neogothic facade and extra towers were added to the eastern side of the complex, giving the building the look of a stately residence layered on top of an older defensive core.

Where does the castle come from, and how old is it?

The core of the current structure dates to the 12th century. The first documented lord of Vilobí already appears in the records in 1166, while the name "castro Villabino" is recorded for the first time in 1241 — in connection with a property exchange involving the Templar order: the commander of Gardeny, the order's representative in the region, handed over the castle of Mediona in exchange for the castle of Vilobí.

Who owned the castle over the centuries?

The castle's history over the following centuries is a long chain of sales and ownership disputes. In the 14th century it belonged to Ramon Malars, a citizen of Girona, who bought it — most likely from King Pere IV the Ceremonious — for 4,000 sous. In 1345 it passed from the Malars family to the city of Girona for the same price. In 1368 it was sold to Francesc de Santmartí for 6,000 sous, but the townspeople of Girona bought it back in 1374 to hand it over to the crown. That arrangement held until 1380, when Infante Joan — the future King Joan I — ceded the castle again, this time to Pere de Santmartí, for 20,000 sous. Records show the castle still belonged to the Santmartí family in 1485, while by 1595 ownership had passed to the Cruïlles family.

Is the castle in Vilobí d'Onyar worth a visit?

For anyone interested in medieval Catalan history and defensive architecture, this is a worthwhile short stop — especially when combined with a visit to the town of Vilobí d'Onyar itself, located close to Girona. The castle serves as a landmark on the northern edge of the town and offers a clear illustration of how a 12th-century Templar-era feudal stronghold gradually acquired a neogothic, residential-style makeover over the following centuries.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Castell de Vilobí d'Onyar? The core of the building dates back to the 12th century, though the eastern facade and part of the towers are 19th-century neogothic additions.

Does the castle have a connection to the Templars? Yes — in 1241, recorded as "castro Villabino," it was exchanged for the castle of Mediona by the commander of Gardeny, the Templar order's representative in the region.

Who owned the castle in the Middle Ages? Ownership changed hands several times: the Malars family, the city of Girona, the Santmartí family, and from the late 16th century the Cruïlles family.

Is the castle legally protected? Yes, it is listed as a Cultural Asset of National Interest (Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional) in Catalonia.