CASTLES ARBÚCIES

Castle of Montsoriu is one of Catalonia's most imposing Gothic fortresses, situated at 632 meters on a hilltop within Montseny Natural Park spanning the municipalities of Arbúcies, Sant Feliu de Buixalleu, and Breda in Girona province. Archaeological evidence reveals the hill was occupied since Iberian times (4th-3rd centuries BC), though first documented references date from 1002. In the mid-14th century, Viscount Bernat II of Cabrera, admiral and counselor to King Pere III el Cerimonios, transformed Montsoriu into a magnificent Gothic palace fortress. The castle features three concentric walled enclosures with multiple chambers, chapels, halls, and cisterns, protected by Romanesque ramparts and defense towers with Gothic interior styling. A 2.8-kilometer walking path leads visitors from the parking area to a visitor centre offering guided tours and refreshments.

Castell d'en Roca in Arbúcies is a 19th-century manor that deliberately evokes medieval fortification aesthetics. Originally built as a simple farmhouse called Can Roca, the structure was dramatically transformed between 1888 and 1910 into an impressive castle-like residence. This romantic-era construction features distinctive crenellated towers and defensive-style walls adorned with small towers reminiscent of period fortifications. The dwelling demonstrates the 19th-century fascination with medieval revival architecture, combining practical residential spaces with theatrical visual elements inspired by historical fortress design, creating a unique example of nostalgic heritage expression.