castle of Hostoles

Castell d'Hostoles is a ruined medieval castle perched on a hilltop on the boundary between Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Les Planes d'Hostoles, in the Garrotxa region of Catalonia. The fortress overlooks the Vall d'Hostoles, crossed by the Brugent river, and served as the principal stronghold of the valley — together with the subordinate castles of Puigalder and Colltort, it formed the defensive line between the counties of Besalú and Girona.

How do you get there?

The castle sits within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, a short distance from the center of Sant Feliu de Pallerols. The easiest approach is to drive to the town and continue on foot: a marked hiking route (itinerary No. 24 in Catalonia's natural park network) leads up to the castle hill through the hamlet of la Torra. The climb is moderately demanding but needs no special preparation or gear.

What will you see?

What remains today are sections of wall, a handful of rooms, a keep (torre de l'homenatge), and an impressive 13th-century cistern. Most of the visible structure belongs to the "remença castle" rebuilt in the 15th century by Francesc de Verntallat, leader of the Catalan peasants during the Remença revolt. An earlier, much smaller castle already stood here in 1060, when the castellan Eneas Miró negotiated with the Count of Barcelona, and its origins likely go back to the 10th century, tied to the early defense of territory taken from Frankish rule.

From the summit, the views stretch across the whole Vall d'Hostoles — one of the finest lookout points in this part of Garrotxa. The approach passes through classic volcanic-region scenery: gentle hills, woodland, and scattered farmhouses, several of which quarried stone from the ruins over the centuries.

A bit of history

Castell d'Hostoles has a turbulent past. In the early 11th century it belonged to the county of Girona, though at one point it was enfeoffed to the counts of Besalú. In 1015 the castellan was Mir d'Hostoles, who two years later paid homage to the Count of Barcelona as his overlord. The fortress also served at times as a hideout for bandits operating in the area.

Its greatest historical weight comes from the 15th-century Remença War, the Catalan peasant uprising against feudal privileges. Castell d'Hostoles is considered one of the most prominent strongholds of the remença movement in the mountainous interior of Catalonia, and the 15th-century form still visible today is a direct legacy of that period.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best times: temperatures in Garrotxa are comfortable for the climb, and the valley views aren't dulled by summer haze. In summer, aim for morning or early afternoon to avoid the heat on the exposed hilltop.

Frequently asked questions

Is the castle well preserved? No — it's a ruin. Sections of wall, the keep, and a 13th-century cistern survive, but most of the original structure is gone.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the site is open access, reached via the natural park's hiking trails, with no ticket booth.

How long does the walk up take? Depending on the route and starting point, the climb takes roughly 30 minutes to just over an hour.

Can this be combined with other sights nearby? Yes — Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Les Planes d'Hostoles sit within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, so the castle visit pairs easily with other nature trails and viewpoints in the region.