Castell de Marmellar, Medieval castle in El Montmell, Spain.
Castell de Marmellar is a medieval castle with a trapezoidal layout and surviving fortified walls featuring battlements and arrow slits on a hillside. The structure encompasses both the main fortress and the smaller chapel of Sant Miquel nearby.
The fortress was built in the 11th century as a strategic defense position for the routes crossing the Penedès region. Its first documented appearance comes from a transaction recorded in 1023.
The adjacent chapel of Sant Miquel shows how religious buildings and military structures were intertwined in medieval life. You can observe how communities placed prayer and defense side by side in this fortified settlement.
The castle is accessed via a narrow road leading to the Castell de Marmellar residential area, which can be reached from Sant Martí Sarroca by following signs toward Torrelles de Foix. Wear sturdy footwear as the terrain is uneven and the approach involves some climbing.
Unusually for a fortress of this era, the castle sits in a valley rather than on a hilltop, setting it apart from other medieval fortifications in the region. This placement still provided command over the trade routes crossing Penedès.
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