Castle of Farners

Farners Castle stands on a wooded hilltop directly above the town of Santa Coloma de Farners, in the Selva region, Girona province, Catalonia. Today the site is a set of ruins reached by a short uphill walk, and it remains one of the best-known landmarks of the town and the surrounding countryside.

How old is the castle?

The fortress is first recorded in 1046, in the oath of allegiance sworn by Viscount Ramon Folc I of Cardona to Count Ramon Berenguer I. From its earliest documented existence the castle formed part of the domains of the viscounty of Cardona, and its castellany — the office of the lord's local representative — was held by the Farners lineage until the 13th century. Control then passed to the Vilademany family: in 1240 Pere Ramon de Vilademany bequeathed the castle to his son Arnau, while the fief itself continued to answer to Viscount Ramon Folc IV of Cardona.

Most of the structure visible today dates from the middle of the 12th century, making it a fairly typical example of a feudal hill fortress from that period. Archaeological digs carried out in 1991–1992, however, uncovered remains of earlier construction on the same site, pointing to an older fortified presence on the hill that predates the castle now standing there.

By the 15th century the castle had lost its military purpose and was abandoned for good. Its only later use came briefly in the early 18th century, right after the War of the Spanish Succession, when a Bourbon garrison occupied the site for a short period.

What is there to see today?

The visible remains include sections of the defensive walls, a tower, and traces of ancillary buildings, all of it set within woodland typical of the Selva region — a name that itself refers to the forests covering much of this part of Girona. Between 2001 and 2003 the ruins underwent a thorough restoration, funded by the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia, which stabilized the remaining masonry and made the site safe and accessible to visitors while preserving its medieval character.

From the hilltop, visitors get open views over the valley and surrounding hills, including a clear vantage point over Santa Coloma de Farners itself, spread out at the base of the slope.

How do you get there?

The castle sits on high ground immediately above Santa Coloma de Farners, the main town of the Selva region. It is reached on foot via paths leading up from the town, a popular short excursion for both residents and visitors passing through the area. The site's coordinates are approximately 41.860° N, 2.631° E.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Farners Castle built? It is first documented in 1046, though most of the structure standing today was built around the middle of the 12th century; excavations point to even earlier fortifications on the same hill.

Who controlled the castle historically? The Farners family held the castellany until the 13th century, after which it passed to the Vilademany family, with the fief remaining tied to the viscounts of Cardona throughout.

Has the castle been restored? Yes — a major restoration of the ruins took place between 2001 and 2003, financed by the Catalan Department of Culture.

Is there an entrance fee? The ruins sit on a hill reached on foot from town; it is worth checking locally for any current access rules or fees before visiting, since these can change.