Castell d'Ulldecona, Medieval castle in Serra Grossa mountains, Catalonia, Spain
Castell d'Ulldecona is a medieval fortress in the Serra Grossa mountains in Catalonia with two towers, a church, and defensive walls built on a hilltop. The structures sit roughly 256 meters above the nearby Sénia River and display remains from different periods of fortification.
The fortress was built as an Arab fortification between the 8th and 11th centuries to defend the region. Following the Christian conquest in 1148, it passed to the Montcada family, beginning a new phase of its existence.
The castle holds meaning for locals as a marker of regional identity and the cultural layers that shaped the area over centuries. The physical presence of both Arab and medieval construction styles tells the story of different peoples who left their mark on the site.
The site sits on a hillside that requires sturdy footwear due to uneven terrain, so plan accordingly for your visit. Daylight hours work best for exploration, and allowing time to move between different sections and enjoy views of the surroundings is worthwhile.
Sections of the original Arab fortification walls have survived to the present day and demonstrate the craftsmanship of the early builders. These preserved wall segments topped with observation towers represent a rare surviving example of this construction method.
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