Castell de Talamanca, Medieval castle in Talamanca, Spain

Castell de Talamanca is a medieval fortified structure near Barcelona with a distinctive circular tower and defensive walls surrounding the main building. The structure has been modified several times and now combines original defensive elements with later residential additions.

First mentioned in 967, when Count Sala, founder of Sant Benet de Bages monastery, donated lands and buildings in the area. In 1086 Ramon Folc, viscount of Cardona, left the castle to Ermessenda de Cardona and her brother Folc II. The Talamanca family appears as castlans from 1121, and in 1714 the castle was the base of the Austracist troops before the Battle of Talamanca; it was demolished in 1717 by Bourbon order.

The structure shows multiple building styles that reflect its long use, from medieval defensive features to later residential modifications. Visitors can observe these layers in the different wall treatments and architectural details.

The castle stands on a rocky outcrop above Carrer del Castell, reached by wide stone steps that lead to a small walled forecourt before the main door. The Mirador de la batalla, at the foot of the castle, gives a full view of the ground on both sides of the Talamanca stream where the 1714 fighting took place, with an information panel and a monument to the Catalan army. Finds from the 2008 excavations are displayed at the Centre d'Interpretació del Castell.

On 13 August 1714 a Bourbon force of some 3,500 men under José Carrillo de Albornoz, Count of Montemar, camped at Casa Mussarra below the castle. The Catalan army of the Marquis of Poal beat them at the riera de Talamanca, the last Catalan victory of the war, with about 650 Bourbon dead and wounded against 10 Catalan losses. Excavations in 2008 corroborated the battle; finds are shown at the castle's interpretation centre.