Castell de Vulpellac: A Medieval Fortress in Vulpellac, Spain

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.catalunyamedieval.es

Country: Spain

Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The Castell de Vulpellac is located in the municipality of Vulpellac in Spain and dates back to the medieval period, built by the regional powers of the time as a fortified structure. Its earliest known record appears in 1269 through an agreement between the bishop of Girona and the lord of Vulpellac regarding the castle’s construction, placing its origins firmly in the 13th century.

By 1287, the fortress was under the lordship of Guillem de Palol, who served as a vassal to the influential Peratallada family. Ownership then transitioned through marriage and inheritance; by 1322, the Sant Sadurní family held the castle, before it passed to Guillem Sarriera through his marriage to Sibila de Sant Sadurní. This marked the beginning of the Sarriera family’s prominence in the region.

In 1358, Guillem Sarriera expanded his influence considerably by purchasing local jurisdictions from the Count of Empúries. This acquisition not only solidified his family’s control over the area around Vulpellac but also extended their reach to include other fortresses such as those at Anglès, Montsoriu, Cartellà, and Solterra. The Sarriera family became notable not only for their lordship but also for their contributions to fields like medicine, with Arnau Sarriera recognized as a distinguished physician in the 14th century.

During the turbulent years of the Catalan Civil War between 1462 and 1472, Joan de Sarriera, the grandson of Guillem, played a military role forming alliances through his marriage to Violant Margarit i Bertran. He served as a general in the army of Constable Pedro de Portugal and René of Anjou, highlighting the castle’s integration into wider regional conflicts.

The castle reached its peak during the early 16th century under Miguel Sarriera, son of Antonio Sarriera, who was lord in 1523. Miguel transformed the fortress into an elegant palace, reflecting its golden age. His tenure was marked by political volatility; he was linked to violent acts including the assassinations of Baldiri de Agullana and the Baron of Llagostera in Barcelona. Miguel also held the significant administrative position of Batlle General of Catalonia, a chief magistrate role combining judicial and military duties.

In the 18th century, roughly around 1725, the castle underwent several renovations before eventually being repurposed as a farmhouse. Today, the Castell de Vulpellac is protected as a cultural heritage monument by Spanish and Catalan authorities, preserving its historical legacy.

Remains

The Castell de Vulpellac retains much of its medieval structure, including elements dating back to the 14th century, though it was modified during the 16th century. The castle is a two-story building arranged around a small trapezoidal central courtyard that features a stone well, a common feature in fortified residences to secure water. Access to the upper floors is provided by a staircase attached directly to the interior walls, a design catering to both defense and convenience.

On the west side stands the main tower, known as the “torre del homenaje” or keep, which is rectangular and dates from the 14th century. This tower was built over the foundation of an older structure identified by the presence of herringbone masonry—a pattern of stones laid diagonally to create strength. The tower incorporates narrow Gothic-style openings, arrow slits for archers, battlements for defense, and wooden floor beams, emphasizing its military function.

Surrounding the palace are fragments of defensive walls, which once formed a protective enclosure. These walls include arrow slit openings and in places have been absorbed into adjacent village houses, indicating the gradual integration of the fortress into the settlement over time. A well-preserved square-plan tower with a lintelled entrance door stands on the northeast side of the palace. To the southwest, another cylindrical tower remains visible, also surrounded closely by modern buildings.

Inside, the castle features a large hall supported by pointed diaphragm arches—these are arches that both separate and support sections of the ceiling—demonstrating advanced medieval construction techniques. The lower rooms are vaulted, providing robust, fire-resistant ceilings, and multiple chambers occupy the principal floor.

Following the removal of a later rural structure, well-preserved battlements on the upper sections of the walls were exposed, revealing aspects of the castle’s defensive design. Decorative floor tiles from the Gothic and Renaissance periods survive, some bearing inscriptions such as the Latin phrase “Uxor Autem Domine Aprenantatur 1539,” which are currently conserved at the Rafael Masó Foundation in Girona.

Biblical inscriptions are found throughout the palace, adding a spiritual or symbolic dimension to the decoration. A notable Renaissance window features Miguel Sarriera’s personal emblem, his name, and the inscription “Ego sum peccavi,” Latin for “I have sinned,” dated 1533. These elements reflect the intertwining of religious sentiment and personal identity during the castle’s most refined period.