Castell palau dels Vescomtes de Cabrera

Castell palau dels Vescomtes de Cabrera is a medieval fortress and palace residence in Blanes, a coastal town on the Costa Brava in Girona province. The building stands in the old town, close to the parish church of Santa Maria, and ranks among the most significant historic monuments of the La Selva county.

What is the history behind it?

The site's origins go back to the 11th century, linked to the counts of Girona and later to the viscounts of Cabrera. From the 12th to the 14th century the fortress belonged to the Blanes family, knights who held it as feudatories of the Cabreras. The turning point came in 1381, when Bernat IV of Cabrera bought the castle back from Ramon de Blanes and commissioned master builder Arnau Bargués to rebuild it in Gothic style. During the 15th century the palace became the main residence of the viscounts of Cabrera, combining defensive and residential functions. Its decline began in 1694, when, during the War of the League of Augsburg, French troops attacked Blanes and blew up part of the palace, destroying much of the original structure.

What can you see today?

The surviving remains allow the original layout to be traced: a rectangular plan built around a central courtyard surrounded by vaulted rooms, with four defensive towers at the corners. Despite the damage suffered in the late 17th century, the palace's representative façade still stands, featuring a grand arched entrance flanked by two trefoil windows of differing sizes — a distinctive detail of Gothic palace architecture. The monument is listed as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional (Cultural Asset of National Interest), confirming its historical and architectural value for Catalonia.

How do you get there?

The palace sits in the historic centre of Blanes, a town at the southern edge of the Costa Brava, well connected to Barcelona and other coastal towns. Walking through the old town toward the church of Santa Maria, visitors will naturally come across the palace façade, one of the landmark features of the town's historic urban layout.

When is the best time to visit?

Blanes enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, making the site accessible year-round. Spring and early autumn are the quietest periods, with pleasant temperatures for exploring the old town on foot. Summer brings the heaviest tourist traffic, driven by the beach season along the Costa Brava.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built the palace of the viscounts of Cabrera? Its present Gothic form dates from 1381, when master builder Arnau Bargués carried out the reconstruction commissioned by Bernat IV of Cabrera after he bought the castle from the Blanes family.

Why is the palace only partially preserved? In 1694, during the War of the League of Augsburg, French forces attacked Blanes and blew up part of the building, significantly reducing its original structure.

What remains of the original complex? Sections of the perimeter walls survive along with the representative façade, its arched entrance and two trefoil windows hinting at the original rectangular plan with four towers and an inner courtyard.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, the Castell palau dels Vescomtes de Cabrera is listed as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Nacional, Catalonia's designation for cultural assets of national interest.