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Peralada Castle today

Spain · Restored

Peralada Castle

Castillo de Peralada

Peralada Castle is a castle in Peralada, Catalonia, originally the seat of the medieval viscounts of Peralada. The medieval fortress was destroyed in 1285 and rebuilt outside the later walls in the 13th century; the present building received a Renaissance façade and was enlarged in the 19th century.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1860

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1860

What Peralada Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact castle formed around two prominent, cylindrical stone towers with high brick crenellated tops and pronounced corbelled machicolations; a lower, ivy-clad curtain wall links the towers and contains small, rectangular windows. To the left a taller rectangular block with a crenellated parapet and an ochre-coloured Renaissance façade rises above the connecting wall, with red tiled rooflines visible behind the battlements. The castle sits directly off a cobbled forecourt and formal lawn with a reflecting pond and chains on low bollards lining the approach.

Its story

The story of Peralada Castle.

Peralada Castle was initially the seat of the medieval dynasty of the viscounts of Peralada, begun by Berenguer, son of Ponce I, Count of Empúries. During the French invasion of the Empordà in 1285, in the course of the crusade against Catalonia led by Philip III of France, the castle and the nearby buildings were set on fire and destroyed; remains of the original structure survive in the upper part of the town.

A new castle was built in the mid-13th century outside the line of the new walls. The present building received a Renaissance façade, and the castle was enlarged in the 19th century.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1860.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Peralada Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Front approach with pond and forecourtMain entrance portal between the two round towersTop of the round towers and battlementsIvy-covered curtain wall and small windowsLeft rectangular block with Renaissance façadeCobbled forecourt and sculptural features

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Castle Siege

Play Castle Siege at Peralada Castle.

A strategy game played on Peralada Castle’s real ground plan: the same surveyed walls shown in the archive below. Post your finite garrison on the battlements between assaults, then hold out as rams, siege towers, trebuchets and sappers arrive in ever-worse waves.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Peralada Castle.

The families that held Peralada Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Peralada

    Seat of the viscounts of Peralada, a dynasty begun by Berenguer, son of Count Ponce I of Empúries.

From the archive

Peralada Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

[Peralada], Peralada Castle

[Peralada]

· Ajuntament de Girona (via Europeana)

Public domain

[Peralada], Peralada Castle

[Peralada]

· Ajuntament de Girona (via Europeana)

Public domain

[Peralada], Peralada Castle

[Peralada]

· Ajuntament de Girona (via Europeana)

Public domain

Questions about Peralada Castle

What is the history of Peralada Castle?

Peralada Castle began as the seat of the medieval viscounts of Peralada in the 13th century. During the French invasion of the Empordà in 1285, it and nearby buildings were set on fire and destroyed. A new castle was built outside the new walls, and the present building later gained a Renaissance façade and 19th-century enlargement.

Why was Peralada Castle built, and what was it used for?

Peralada Castle was built as the seat of the medieval viscounts of Peralada. Its use later changed: in 1923 it became a private residence and museum, and successors converted part of the palace into a casino, inaugurated around 1979.

What is inside Peralada Castle?

Peralada Castle contains a square central courtyard, with its rooms and chambers arranged around it. The building has a ground floor, a main floor and an attic, while the courtyard is open. The surrounding complex also includes a large garden and former service areas.

Was Peralada Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Peralada Castle was attacked and destroyed by fire in 1285 during the French invasion of the Empordà. The invasion formed part of the crusade against Catalonia led by Philip III of France. A new castle was subsequently built outside the line of the town’s new walls.

Which family or clan held Peralada Castle?

Peralada Castle was the seat of the viscounts of Peralada, a dynasty begun by Berenguer, son of Count Ponce I of Empúries. The dynasty later bore the surnames Quermançó and Rocabertí.

What did Peralada Castle look like in its prime?

Peralada Castle has a compact silhouette centred on two cylindrical stone towers with high brick crenellated tops and corbelled machicolations. An ivy-covered curtain wall links them, while a taller rectangular block carries an ochre Renaissance façade, crenellated parapet and red tiled rooflines.

When was Peralada Castle built?

Peralada Castle was built in phases rather than at one recorded date. The original fortress was destroyed in 1285, and a new castle was built in the mid-13th century outside the new walls. The present building was enlarged in the 19th century.

Is Peralada Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Peralada Castle is still standing and has been restored. Its original structure was destroyed in 1285, but remains survive in the upper part of the town; the present building was later enlarged and includes Renaissance and 19th-century alterations.

Where is Peralada Castle?

Peralada Castle is in Peralada, Catalonia. It stands within the present urban centre, outside the medieval town’s walls on its eastern side.

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