Turó del Castell d'Arraona

Turó del Castell d'Arraona is a modest hill in Sabadell, in the Catalan region of Vallès Occidental, crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle. Standing 212 metres above sea level, the hill blends into the landscape on the edge of the city today, yet it marks the very starting point of Sabadell's history.

Where exactly is the hill located?

The hill sits at the tip of a spur formed where the Tort stream meets the Ripoll river, just north of the Salut bridge. This was no accidental spot: from here, whoever held the high ground could watch over a stretch of the old road considered a successor to the Roman route linking Cádiz and Rome. Controlling the hill meant controlling traffic along that corridor.

Where does the name Arraona come from?

The name Arraona already appears in written sources from the mid-10th century, and the castle itself is documented from 1049 onward. For centuries it served as the seat of feudal authority exercised on behalf of the Count of Barcelona over this part of Vallès. The lords of Arraona managed the surrounding land, property and population, and it was they who promoted the market of Sabadell — the very market that grew into the nucleus of today's city.

How did the castle lose its importance?

From the 14th century the fortress passed into royal patrimony, but as the neighbouring town of Sabadell grew and prospered, the castle steadily faded in significance. That decline continued over the following centuries until, by the 18th century, the building stood in ruins and was largely forgotten by locals.

What remains of the old fortress today?

A small stretch of wall still survives on the steepest, hardest-to-reach part of the hill — practically the only visible trace of the original defensive structure. The rest of the buildings were lost or scattered over the centuries, and the hill today functions more as a spot for a short walk or hike than as a site with preserved architecture to explore.

Why is it worth a visit?

Turó del Castell d'Arraona combines a quiet, small-scale landscape on the city's edge with a history that reaches back to the origins of Sabadell. It suits visitors who want to understand where the city came from, take in a viewpoint over the Tort and Ripoll valleys, and step away from the urban bustle without leaving Sabadell at all. The short climb to the top requires no special preparation and works well as an add-on to a walk through the city.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Turó del Castell d'Arraona? The hill reaches 212 metres above sea level and lies within the city limits of Sabadell, in the Vallès Occidental region.

Since when has a castle stood on the hill? The castle is documented from 1049, although the name Arraona already appears in sources from the mid-10th century.

Can the castle ruins still be seen on site? Yes, though only to a limited extent — a small section of wall survives on the steepest part of the hill, while the rest of the structure has not survived to the present day.

What is the castle's connection to the founding of Sabadell? The lords of Arraona promoted the market that eventually grew into today's city, which is why the hill is regarded as the place where Sabadell's history began.