Castell de Sant Joan, Medieval castle on Sant Joan hill in Blanes, Spain.
Castell de Sant Joan is a medieval castle perched on a hilltop in Blanes featuring a round stone tower that rises above the surrounding landscape. The site consists of fortress walls and a small adjacent chapel that together form a compact defensive structure.
The fortress first appeared in written records from 1001 when it belonged to the Viscount of Cabrera and guarded the coast from maritime raids. Over the following centuries its role shifted from military defense to serving as a spiritual landmark.
The chapel of Sant Joan next to the castle has drawn visitors seeking spiritual connection since medieval times. This religious site and the fortress together form a layered landscape where faith and defense have always been intertwined.
You can reach the castle on foot via a marked hiking trail from Blanes town center or drive up with parking available near the site. The walking route offers views of the town and sea while driving is faster for those with limited time.
Between 1849 and 1859 the fortress housed a military optical telegraph station that relayed messages across long distances. This brief installation shows how old defensive sites were sometimes repurposed for new forms of communication.
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