Castell de Milany, Medieval fortress ruins at 1529 meters in Vallfogona de Ripollès and Vidrà, Spain.
Castell de Milany consists of stone ruins of a mountain fortress sitting on a rocky ridge about 1500 meters high, with views across the valleys of interior Catalonia. The remaining structures show simple, functional building methods typical of construction in this mountain region.
The fortress first appears in written records in the 10th century as a possession of the counts of Besalú. It formed part of a defensive line across the Catalan highlands.
The castle holds national heritage status and represents how people built fortifications using local stone and simple techniques suited to mountain life. Visitors can see how these structures blend with the rocky landscape, showing the practical approach to construction that was common in medieval Catalonia.
A hiking trail from Vidrà leads to the ruins and requires good fitness due to the elevation and rocky terrain. Visitors should wear sturdy boots, bring water, and dress for changing mountain weather.
Its position on the border between two historical counties made the fortress a place where rulers could negotiate rather than only fight. This explains why it became a meeting point for political discussions in the medieval period.
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