Exploring Catalonia’s medieval castles is a different way to delve into the history of the region. Some rise up on hilltops, others overlook rivers or guard ancient paths. Some impress with their scale. Others, with their location or the atmosphere that can still be felt there. This selection brings together ten fortresses well worth visiting to rediscover Catalonia through heritage, landscapes and emotion. 1. Cardona Castle, one of Catalonia’s great medieval fortresses Few visits convey such a clear sense of power and permanence as Cardona Castle. Built in 886 by Wilfred the Hairy, it has become a key site in the history of Catalonia. Within the complex, the collegiate church of Sant Vicenç stands out, considered a jewel of early Catalan Romanesque architecture, as does the Torre de la Minyona, an 11th-century circular building that witnessed the love story of Adalés, daughter of Viscount Ramon Folc. It is an ideal castle to begin a route through Catalonia’s fortresses, thanks to its presence, its story and its landscape. Everything here invites you to gaze into the distance and imagine a Catalonia of counts, lineages and shifting borders. 2. Montsoriu Castle, a jewel among forests and hills At an altitude of 600 metres, on a hill in the Montseny massif, Montsoriu Castle rises with serene and powerful beauty. The complex, dating from the late 10th century, combines an outer Romanesque fortification with an inner Gothic palace, and this architectural evolution makes it one of the most fascinating fortresses in the country. From the 13th to the 15th century, it was the residential palace of the Viscounts of Cabrera, one of the most influential lineages in medieval Catalonia. The visit has a touch of adventure that makes it especially memorable. The approach, the natural setting and the silhouette of the castle among the woods strengthen the feeling of stepping into another time. It is a perfect choice for combining heritage and nature in a single getaway. 3. Miravet Castle, Templar history above the Ebro Miravet Castle overlooks the course of the Ebro from a hilltop and seems to emerge directly from the rock. Its walls, rising powerfully above the river, make it one of the most impressive sights in Catalan heritage, declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest. It is also considered one of the finest examples of Templar architecture in Europe. Visiting it is much more than exploring a fortress. It also means discovering a walled citadel, austere and imposing, that preserves a very special atmosphere.