Castell d'Empúries

Castell d'Empúries refers to the medieval castle ruins standing by the church square in Sant Martí d'Empúries, a small historic quarter within the municipality of l'Escala, in the Alt Empordà region of Catalonia. It is worth noting this is not the same place as the nearby, much larger municipality of Castelló d'Empúries — the ruins described here belong to a distinct, small-scale site in the old core of Empúries.

Where exactly are the ruins located?

The remains sit in Sant Martí d'Empúries, the historic nucleus of l'Escala, right next to the well-known Greco-Roman archaeological site of Empúries. The castle originally stood on the square beside the parish church, at the heart of the old walled settlement. Today it's a quiet corner that most visitors reach on foot after touring the ancient ruins a short walk away.

What did the castle look like, and what survives today?

The structure dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and was built as a rectangular, elongated building of dressed stone. What remains is one corner of that original building: a stretch of wall and an entrance portal raised roughly a metre above the level of the square. The portal is made up of three arches — two round arches built from voussoirs of different sizes, separated by the slot where a portcullis once slid up and down, and a third, flatter arch set further inside the passage. This corner is the only part of the medieval castle still clearly readable on the ground.

What is the history behind these ruins?

Written references go back to the late 13th century: in 1285 the castle was set on fire by the French admiral Guillem de Lodeva during the conflict between France and King Peter the Great of Aragon. A document from 1328 also names the site as "castro de Impuriis." In the 15th century, during the Catalan civil war, the castle suffered serious damage. After 1479, King John II of Aragon granted the property to Pere de Torroella, who rebuilt its walls. By the 17th century the castle belonged to the Margarit family before being sacked by the troops of King Philip IV, most likely during the Reapers' War. From that point the building was left to decay, gradually reaching the ruined state visible today.

Why is this small site worth a stop?

The remains are listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a protected historic monument. It's a modest site in physical terms, but one tied to centuries of border disputes and civil conflict across the Empordà region. A lesser-known detail: the castle is said to have inspired the home of the hero in "Capitán Trueno," one of the most popular characters in postwar Spanish comic-book culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Castell d'Empúries the same as Castelló d'Empúries? No. Castelló d'Empúries is a separate, larger municipality in Alt Empordà, while these castle ruins stand in Sant Martí d'Empúries, within the municipality of l'Escala.

How long does it take to see the ruins? Only a few minutes are needed for the portal and wall themselves, though most visitors combine it with a short walk through Sant Martí d'Empúries.

Can this be combined with a visit to the Empúries archaeological site? Yes — the Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries sit right next door, and pairing the two is the most common way to explore the area.

From which period does the castle date? From the 13th–14th centuries, though it was damaged and rebuilt several times up to the 17th century.