Torre d'en Pega

Torre d'en Pega stands at the edge of Riells, part of the municipality of Riells i Viabrea in the La Selva county of Girona province, Catalonia. Rising among an oak forest, this weathered ruin — also known as Castell de Riells or Torre de Can Pega — is a fragment of a medieval defensive tower, protected as a Cultural Asset of National Interest. Only two of its original walls remain, but the site still rewards travelers curious about the network of fortifications that once guarded this corner of Catalonia.

Where does this tower come from?

The land on which the tower sits appears in written records as early as 1038, referred to as the "alou de Busquets" in the founding charter of the Sant Salvador de Breda monastery, issued by Guerau I de Cabrera and his wife Ermessenda de Montsoriu. At that time the building was known as Torre de Busquets and belonged to the Viscounts of Cabrera, the powerful family that governed this stretch of Catalonia from the nearby castle of Montsoriu. A 1265 record shows Guerau de Cabrera collecting lodging dues at the site, evidence that the tower doubled as an administrative outpost for the family. Further mentions survive from 1334, 1395, and 1419.

The tower itself was most likely raised in the 12th or 13th century as a secondary stronghold, roughly 3 kilometers from the main castle of Montsoriu. Together with five other towers — Torre de les Bruixes, Torre de la Mora, Torre de Grions, Torre de Vilarmau, and Torre de Montfort — it formed a watch-and-defense network that shielded the valleys of Breda and Riells and kept an eye on the routes leading into Cabrera territory.

What will you actually see?

In its original form, the building had a near-square footprint about 20 meters to a side, covering close to 400 square meters, with walls over a meter thick. It rose to a ground floor plus two upper stories. Today only two of those walls survive — the east and north faces — running roughly 15 meters long and standing about 6 meters high. They were built from roughly-cut stone blocks laid in even courses and bonded with mortar. Along the walls you can still make out defensive slits measuring around 80 by 40 centimeters, spaced just over a meter apart, once used by defenders to watch the approaches and fire on attackers.

The tower's condition has worsened steadily: four walls were still standing in 1899, three remained by 1954, and only two are left today. That slow collapse makes Torre d'en Pega a quiet lesson in how untended medieval structures erode over generations.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The tower sits on private land and cannot be entered or approached closely — worth knowing before planning the trip. The best way to see it is by driving the GIV-5521, the road linking Breda and Riells, around the second kilometer marker; from there the tower is visible above the treeline. Pair the stop with a visit to Montsoriu Castle, the far better preserved and fully open centerpiece of the same defensive network.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures for walking the surrounding forest tracks. Summer heat in this part of Girona can be intense, especially on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Torre d'en Pega? No. The tower stands on private property and is not open to visitors — it can only be viewed from outside, best from the GIV-5521 road.

How old is the tower? It most likely dates to the 12th or 13th century, though the land it stands on was already documented in 1038.

What was Torre d'en Pega used for? It was one of six towers defending the valleys of Breda and Riells and supporting the nearby castle of Montsoriu, seat of the Viscounts of Cabrera.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Montsoriu Castle, about 3 kilometers away, is the best-preserved and fully visitable site from the same defensive network.