Catalonia: Land of Castles?

There’s a great deal of debate over exactly where the name ‘Catalonia’, or ‘Catalunya’, came from. There are some who say that the region is named after the Katelans, an Iberian tribe. There are others who say that the name has Celtic origins. Perhaps most interesting, however, is the belief that Catalonia means ‘Land of Castles’. While we don’t know for sure, what we do know is that the region has an abundance of fortresses and magnificent, castle-like mansions that make this a very historic and stunning place to visit.





The beauty of the ‘Land of Castles’ is that there’s a lot of diversity in both the architectural styles and the current status of the buildings. Some luxurious manor-style constructions have now been converted into villas in Spain, for example, allowing visitors to enjoy a truly luxurious vacation experience. Others, such as Castell de Montsoriu in Girona, are open for tours by appointment only, while some, like Castell de Santa Florentina located in the Barcelona area, are known for being popular Catalonia wedding venues.

When it comes to design, Catalonia has a lot of variation, which means that travellers can visit many different styles of castle from their Spainvacation rental. Santa Florentina Castle is probably what most people think of when they hear the word ‘castle’; it’s the classic fairytale fortress that makes us feel like children again. Castell de Montsoriu, on the other hand, has a bit more of a raw, rugged, almost Moorish feel to it, and while it now lies largely in ruins, many aspects of its former grandeur still shine through.

Of course, with all these castles comes a lot of myths and legends, too! From the Lady in Red to Guilleuma the witch, and from General Mauser to whispers of secret treasure, there’s a lot of history to delve into in Catalonia. For a region that’s most famous for its breathtaking coastline, its shopping, and its golf in Barcelona, there’s much more to this part of Spain than meets the eye. Whether you love a bit of history, or simply want to visit some castles during your holiday, Catalonia is the place to go.



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