In the region of Alt Penedès, between Barcelona and Tarragona, is the municipality of Castellet i la Gornal. Nestled in the Foix natural park, this small medieval village has one of the best preserved castles, in addition to a small parish of the 9th century.
History
In its beginnings dating from year 977, the castle structure was formed by a domicilium, the keep, the watchtower and the wall. Since it was initially conceived as a post defensiveIn it, weapons and provisions were stored for the soldiers who defended the site during the Reconquest (10th and 11th centuries).
Thanks to your situation privilegedClose to one of the most important commercial routes in Catalonia, the Castellet castle offered the nobles the possibility of exercising dominion over their fiefs. In this way, the military function that once performed became a residential one for the nobles who inhabited it after the Reconquest. So attractive and coveted was it that some 44 nobles came to inhabit it, without counting the possible invaders throughout its history.
Located on an elevation whose base is bathed by the river, it does not need a wall on the side that the waters do not flow. However, on the other sides, the walls are soaring and flanked by towers. In its interior enclosure several towers square and cylindrical, especially the Tribute which also stands out above the rest.
The building comprises several periods, being that of the Homage and the circulars belonging to the Eleventh century, while the square ones date from XIV century. With the passage of time windows were opening gothic on the walls that were originally Romanesque.
Currently, the castle is the campus of an important cultural Foundation that combines modern rooms for studies, conventions or book presentations, with others of Romanesque style and great archaeological value.
Toulon (Provence) France - Hilltop Le Castellet & Seaside Bandol (April 2024)
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