Castell de les Sitges: A Medieval Fortress in Florejacs, Spain

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.castellsdelleida.com

Country: Spain

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

The Castell de les Sitges is located in the municipality of Florejacs, Spain. This medieval fortress was originally constructed by Christian forces during the early Middle Ages as part of their efforts to reclaim territory in the Llobregós valley from Muslim control.

The castle appears in records as early as 1025, with a definite mention in 1116 under the name “castrum de Ciges.” At that time, a nobleman named Pere Ponç transferred ownership of the castle to his son Arnau before setting out for pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre. Its strategic position overlooking the valley made it a significant military outpost during the Christian reconquest, representing a foothold in the shifting power dynamics of the region.

Throughout its history, the Castell de les Sitges was incorporated into the barony of Florejacs and shared a close relationship with the nearby Castell de Florejacs. Ownership passed among several noble lineages, including the Alemany de Cervelló, Josa, Cortit, Bartomeu, Agulló de Pinós, and ultimately the Ribera family. The castle played a role in the political struggles of the area, particularly during the early modern period.

Following the War of Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, the castle was confiscated by King Philip V because its then-owners, the Ribera family, supported the opposing claimant, Charles of Austria. This confiscation was temporary, and ownership was restored to the Ribera family by 1725. By the middle of the 18th century, the property came under the Marquises of Gironella, who exercised jurisdiction over the castle and its lands until the end of the Ancien Régime. In more recent times, the site has been recognized for its cultural significance within Catalonia’s architectural heritage, with efforts made to preserve the nearby church of Sant Pere del Castell de les Sitges as an important monument.

Remains

The Castell de les Sitges is arranged around a quadrangular tower, or keep, enclosed within a curtain wall that forms a similar four-sided compound. Constructed largely in the 13th century, the tower rises more than 20 meters and features an original entrance door situated approximately eight meters above ground level, a defensive measure typical of medieval fortifications. This entrance required temporary or removable access such as ladders or wooden stairs to enhance security.

The tower’s construction utilizes finely cut rectangular stone blocks carefully aligned to create a sturdy, imposing structure. It contains three internal floors plus an accessible terrace, all capped with battlements—raised sections on the roofline that provided protection for defenders. Outside, the keep exhibits defensive features including a battered, or sloping, base designed to deflect projectiles and impede scaling, arrow slits for archers, corbels supporting the battlements, and the remains of a machicolation above the main gate—a projecting platform with openings through which defenders could drop objects on attackers.

The main entry to the entire castle compound lies on the south side, identifiable by a semicircular arched doorway constructed from wedge-shaped stones known as voussoirs. This entrance is accessed today by modern stairs and is fortified by sturdy buttresses, with two to the right and one on the left. The left buttress also incorporates a barred window. Windows of varied designs are found on the upper floors, including an elegant ogival, or pointed, arch window separated by a central pillar on the west façade.

On the north side, small openings punctuate the walls, while the east façade is notable for a wide ground-level buttress and several windows arranged vertically across floors. A central door on the first floor of the east façade provides additional access.

Internally, the castle is organized around a central courtyard that serves as the heart of the enclosure, with the main tower rising prominently nearby. The ground floor accommodated essential practical spaces such as cellars, a dungeon called a távega, a kitchen with an oven, and stables for animals. The first floor housed the noble hall, a large room featuring a fireplace and Renaissance-style windows facing south, complete with built-in window seats offering light and comfort. The upper stories include a former patrol walkway and an open terrace enclosed by battlements, granting views over the surrounding plain.

Access between floors is provided via a staircase connected to a Romanesque-style door that leads into the tower proper. From the top terrace, panoramic views extend over the Lleida plain, underscoring both the castle’s strategic location and its survival through centuries of change. Together, these architectural elements represent a well-preserved example of medieval military architecture in Catalonia.