Montgrí Castle
| Montgrí Castle | |
|---|---|
Castell del Montgrí (in Catalan) | |
| Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia, Spain | |
Montgrí Castle. | |
Montgrí Castle at the top of the Montgrí Massif. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Open to the public | yes |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 42°03′06″N 3°07′53″E / 42.0518°N 3.13134°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1294 to 1301 |
| Built by | James II of Aragon |
| In use | 1301 to 1472 |
The Montgrí Castle (Catalan: Castell del Montgrí) is a historical edifice in Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia, Spain, built between 1294 and 1301. Its reason to be was the existing conflict between the counts of Empúries - who ruled over most of the area around the town - and the counts of Barcelona, the most powerful of Catalonia at that time, who also had great power over the Mediterranean.
In order to control the moves of the counts of Empuriés, the court of Barcelona commanded Bernat de Llabià, the governor of the Royal town of Torroella de Montgrí, to supervise the building of a fortress on top of the Montgrí Massif. Work started in 1294 but the fortress was never completed as is obvious today. After those days, the fortress has lost its strategic value but has instead become a symbol of the region.
The GR 92 long distance footpath, which roughly follows the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, passes the castle on its stage between Sant Martí d'Empúries and Torroella de Montgrí.