The Torroella de Montgrí Castle is the most spectacular and imposing one in the Costa Brava. Described by the writer Josep Pla as authentic ‘ wheel button’ of the Empordà, this castle is located in the central axis of the high and low Empordà, offering breathtaking views of both north and south of the Costa Brava.

Torroella de Montgrí Castle

It was built between 1294 and 1304 by King James II on the mountain of the same name. It was built by the County of Barcelona as a back court against Empúries County, led by the Earl of Ponce. However, the interiors of the building were not completed due to the Barcelona County final rule on Empúries. Externally the castle preserves a finished look.

Way up to the Montgrí Castle, from Torroella de Montgrí village

The walls are 13 meters high, and the style of fortification is on the same style imported from the East after the First Cross war, with a square perimeter of 31 meters, four cylindrical towers at the corners (accessible to visitors), moat and a cistern.

Cova del Duc cave offers impressive views over the sea

In 1988 it was undertaken an ambitious restoration project that returned the splendor of the castle, which can be visited free by those who are able to walk through the Montgrí Mountains on the peek, starting from Torroella village (about 1 hour). In the same way, it’s also very interesting to visit the Cross of Santa Caterina (a waypoint), the Chapel of Santa Caterina and the Cueva del Duc (Cau del Duc Cave), a natural cave which was inhabited by humans in ancient times and that offers wonderful views of the south coast.