Castell de Gelida, Medieval castle in Gelida, Spain.
This fortress stands at 250 meters elevation on a rocky promontory between the Cantillepa and Sant Miquel streams, commanding extensive views over the Penedès region and surrounding valleys.
First documented in 945 AD, the castle served as a strategic frontier fortification between the Catalan counties and Al-Andalus during the medieval period, surviving the Almoravid incursion of 1108.
The structure combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, featuring a 10th-century polygonal tower, a chapel dedicated to Saint Peter, and a 14th-century palace transformation commissioned by Barcelona banker Berenguer Bertran.
The castle offers guided tours through its interpretation center, educational activities, and visitor information services, remaining accessible year-round with flexible visiting schedules for heritage enthusiasts.
Archaeological excavations revealed a medieval necropolis with rock-carved tombs, including one distinctive burial oriented westward and missing its skull, similar to findings at nearby Olèrdola Castle.
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