Castell-convent de Penyafort, Medieval castle and convent in Santa Margarida i els Monjos, Spain.
Castell-convent de Penyafort is a building that combines a circular defense tower, a single-nave church with lateral chapels, and two rectangular wings forming a U-shaped layout. The structure blends medieval and baroque elements, with the tower being the oldest section and the convent wings added centuries later.
The tower was built in the 12th century as a defensive structure, while Dominican monks established the convent in 1602 and expanded it during the 1700s. This shift from a military stronghold to a religious community shows how the site's purpose changed over five centuries.
This place was home to Saint Raymond of Penyafort, a Dominican friar whose work on church law shaped religious practice across Europe. Visitors walking through the rooms get a sense of the spiritual role this location held in medieval religious life.
The site welcomes visitors and most areas are accessible, though the medieval tower has narrow passages and steep stairs that require careful navigation. Wearing comfortable shoes and allowing time to explore both the tower and the convent sections helps make the most of your visit.
The interior of the medieval tower contains well-preserved wall paintings and a Gothic ribbed vault decorated with the Espuny family coat of arms. These details reveal the artistic care that earlier inhabitants invested in decorating their living spaces.
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