About this place
El Clascar is a ruined medieval castle perched on top of the Cingles de Bertí cliffs, within the municipality of Sant Quirze Safaja in the Moianès region of Catalonia. Also known as Castell de Bertí, it draws hikers and history enthusiasts exploring the Vallès Oriental countryside.
The building's roots go back to the 10th–12th centuries, with the earliest documentary evidence dating to the year 978, followed by a further record from 1298 confirming the existence of a stronghold on the site. A 1370 document names a certain Guillem Clascar, who held the property under the authority of the Centelles family, the barons who controlled the area at the time — a name that eventually gave the site its present designation. By the 14th century the fortress had lost its defensive function and become a farmhouse (masia); the older surviving portion of the structure dates from the 15th or 16th century.
The most unexpected chapter of the site's history unfolded in the early 20th century. Around 1925 the Almirall family set out to turn the old farmhouse into a romantic-looking castle, adding a large circular tower and a new house, and decorating the ensemble with architectural pieces gathered from various other locations. The result is the building's present, rather fanciful silhouette, blending genuine medieval foundations with early 20th-century additions. In 1949 El Clascar was listed as a Cultural Asset of National Interest in Catalonia, in recognition of its medieval origin.
How to get there?
El Clascar sits within the municipality of Sant Quirze Safaja, on the edge of the Cingles de Bertí plateau, a short distance south of the church of Sant Pere de Bertí. It's a well-known stop along the hiking routes that run through Cingles de Bertí, the scenic line of cliffs separating the Moianès from the Vallès Oriental. The most practical way to reach it is on foot, starting from nearby villages and following the marked trails that trace the edge of the cliffs.
What will you see?
On site you'll find the distinctive round tower added in the 1920s, remnants of the older 15th–16th-century section of the building, and fragments that hint at the earlier medieval stronghold beneath it all. Perched on the edge of the Cingles de Bertí, the site also offers sweeping views over the surrounding valleys and the Moianès countryside — a combination of architectural curiosity and landscape that appeals to hikers and photographers alike.
When to visit?
Since reaching El Clascar means walking along exposed cliff-top trails, spring and autumn are the best seasons, offering comfortable temperatures for longer hikes and the clearest visibility. In summer, an early start is recommended to avoid the heat typical of inland Catalonia.
Frequently asked questions
What is El Clascar? It's the ruin of a former castle, also known as Castell de Bertí, located within the municipality of Sant Quirze Safaja in the Moianès region.
Where does the name El Clascar come from? It derives from Guillem Clascar, recorded in a 1370 document as a tenant of the Centelles family, the lords of the territory at the time.
Why does the building look like a romantic castle? Because in the 1920s the Almirall family remodeled the old farmhouse, adding a round tower and architectural elements brought in from elsewhere, giving it its present fairy-tale appearance.
Is the site protected? Yes, since 1949 El Clascar has been listed as a Catalan Cultural Asset of National Interest because of its medieval origins.
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