Castle of Mur, Medieval castle in Castell de Mur, Spain
Castle of Mur is a medieval fortress set on a rocky hilltop above the village of Castell de Mur, in the province of Lleida, Spain. Its stone walls form a roughly triangular enclosure around a central round tower that rises above the surrounding valley.
The castle was built in the second half of the 10th century as a seat of power for a local ruling family in the Pallars region. Over the following centuries it passed between different lords as borders and inheritances shifted across the area.
The castle sits on a rocky peak above the village of Castell de Mur and can be seen from far away. Its round tower and surviving stone walls show how early Romanesque military building looked in this part of Catalonia.
The castle can only be reached on foot, with a steep climb over uneven ground at the end of the approach. Sturdy shoes are a good idea, and the walk is most rewarding on a clear day when the views over the valley are at their best.
The village of Castell de Mur takes its name from the castle rather than the other way around, showing how much the fortress shaped the identity of the settlement below it. Even today, the castle is the first thing visible when approaching the village by road.
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