Castell Nou de Beuda del Pla

Castell Nou de Beuda del Pla is a Gothic fortified residence standing on flat ground next to the parish church in Beuda, in the Garrotxa region of Girona province, Catalonia. Unlike many Catalan castles perched on hilltops, this one sits on the plain — which is exactly why it's often confused with the older, separate Castell de Beuda located nearby in the same village.

What should you know before visiting?

The building is privately owned, so there's no general access to the interior. Visitors can still admire the façade and setting from outside, and the silhouette alone — three connected sections of differing heights — makes it one of the more striking pieces of Gothic architecture in Garrotxa.

What's the history behind it?

The Queixàs family held the estate in Beuda as far back as 1308, and the building seen today was raised in the 15th century on top of an earlier structure. That heritage lives on in the property's alternate name, mas Queixàs, and in the family coat of arms still carved into the façade.

What will you actually see?

The main block follows a rectangular plan under a pitched roof. The entrance is framed by a rounded, ashlar-cut archway (arc de mig punt adovellat), while the windows carry Gothic detailing — ogee-shaped conopial arches bordered with carved animal figures. The homage tower has a tapering base that widens again on the upper floors, and its second-floor window is split by two trilobed arches. Look closely at the walls and you'll spot bricked-up battlements, the remnants of medieval crenellations that once marked this as a defensive stronghold.

The interior was reworked in the 20th century into something closer to a traditional Catalan farmhouse (masia), and the roof has been repaired more than once — so today's building layers Gothic bones with later, more rural additions.

How do you get to Castell Nou de Beuda del Pla?

Beuda sits within Garrotxa's rolling, volcanic-shaped countryside. The easiest approach is by car from Besalú or Banyoles, both close by and well connected to the rest of Catalonia's road network. The castle itself stands right by the village church, so the center of Beuda is your landmark. Walking and cycling routes crisscross the municipality, making it easy to pair a stop here with a look at the nearby Castell de Beuda and a wider tour of Garrotxa's volcanic landscape.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons — mild temperatures suit exploring the surrounding trails, and Garrotxa's volcanic countryside is at its greenest. Summers can get warm across Girona province, though the inland elevation of Garrotxa tends to be milder than the coast.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the castle? No — it's private property, viewable only from the outside.

How is it different from Castell de Beuda? Castell Nou de Beuda del Pla stands on flat ground beside the church and dates to the 15th century, though built over an earlier structure. Castell de Beuda is a separate, distinct site in the same municipality — the two shouldn't be confused.

What protection status does it hold? Since November 8, 1988, it has been listed as a cultural property of national interest (bé cultural d'interès nacional), catalogued under BCIN 543-MH and BIC RI-51-0005807.

What's the most distinctive architectural feature? The homage tower, with its tapering base and a second-floor window split by two trilobed arches, along with the Gothic entrance framed by a rounded ashlar archway.