Castell de Port: A Medieval and Archaeological Site in Barcelona

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.3

Popularity: Very Low

Country: Spain

Civilization: Unclassified

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The Castell de Port is located in the municipality of Barcelona, Spain, and was originally established by medieval Catalan society during the early 11th century. It occupies a strategic position on Montjuïc mountain, overseeing the fertile lands of the Llobregat delta.

The castle’s origins date back to the early 1000s, a time when regional stability had improved following earlier conflicts in the 10th century. Its primary purpose was to guard the cultivated plains and their resources while maintaining control over vital routes that linked Barcelona to neighboring settlements in the delta area. The first known mention of Castell de Port appears in 1020, when the noble Mir Geribert acquired the property and chose it as a secondary dwelling, reflecting ongoing concerns about security after the devastating 985 raid on Barcelona led by Almanzor.

Subsequent custodians of the castle included Count Ramon Berenguer II and his successor Ramon Berenguer III. Both nobles used Castell de Port as a temporary residence and as a military bastion in their struggles against the city of Barcelona itself. In response to its defensive importance, the city’s governing body, the Council of One Hundred, commissioned the nearby Torre del Farell (also called Castell de Montjuïc) to reinforce Montjuïc’s fortifications and maintain control over the surrounding territory.

By the mid-15th century, the castle began to experience a decline in prominence. Around 1460, efforts were made to enhance the site, including the construction of two Romanesque churches, Santa Maria and Sant Bartomeu, indicating a religious as well as a military function. However, the Torre del Farell gradually overtook Castell de Port in political and economic importance. Despite this waning status, the castle was reactivated during periods of conflict, serving as a military stronghold during the Catalan Revolt of the 17th century, known locally as the Guerra dels Segadors.

In the 20th century, the site saw renewed use as a fortification during the Spanish Civil War. However, by the early decades of that century, the majority of the castle’s structures had disappeared, largely due to extensive urban development that introduced roads, railways, and avenues across the area. Although the castle itself faded from view, archaeological work in 1987 uncovered traces of an earlier Iberian settlement beneath and around the hill, linking the site to a much longer history predating medieval times. Today, Castell de Port is recognized as a protected cultural heritage landmark under Catalan and Spanish law.

Remains

The archaeological remains of Castell de Port are situated on the southwestern slope of Montjuïc, a sandstone massif commanding a view over the Llobregat plain and delta. The castle’s location corresponds with a mound of stones that marks its original position, where a commemorative plaque has been placed. By the early 20th century, only its tower was still clearly visible, the rest having been lost or obscured by subsequent urban developments including roads and railway lines.

Excavations at the site revealed a dry stone wall, constructed without mortar by fitting stones tightly together. This wall was found to have been reused in more recent times but likely dates back to the Iberian period before the castle’s medieval construction. Such walls are typical of the settlement patterns of the Iberians, the ancient peoples inhabiting the area prior to Roman influence. Alongside this structure, a large quantity of Iberian pottery was uncovered, spanning both the middle and late phases of Iberian cultural development. These artifacts suggest that the site once hosted a thriving Iberian village, possibly the settlement known as Laie, near the ancient port.

The castle site remains spatially connected to the nearby Torre del Farell, situated approximately 300 meters away. Additionally, the area relates to Roman-era sandstone quarries named Fossar de la Pedrera, indicating a long history of human use and resource extraction around Montjuïc. Present-day visible remains are minimal, mainly consisting of the stone mound and foundational elements partially covered by modern infrastructure such as Can Tunis road and the Avinguda dels Ferrocarrils Catalans avenue.

In terms of preservation, the castle hill and its surroundings have faced environmental challenges, including a brush fire in August 2019 that damaged the local vegetation. Despite these impacts, the site continues to be recognized for its archaeological importance, bridging ancient Iberian occupation and medieval military history within the evolving landscape of Barcelona.