With a documented presence of up to 75 fortresses, the Anoia region is a true land of castles. Most date from the 10th and 11th centuries and were built by Catalan counts to govern and defend this border area during the Reconquista.

Over time, these buildings became centres of government and residences for noble families such as the Claramunts, Montbuis, Tous and Òdenas, and later the Cardonas. With the expansion of towns, many of them were abandoned or converted, but today they are the best gateway to medieval Anoia.

 Emblematic castles to rediscover

These are some of the most notable, accessible and historic castles:

• Castle of Claramunt (La Pobla de Claramunt): a 10th-century fortress with double walls, a tower and an impressive Romanesque church.
• Castell de Montbui or de la Tossa (Santa Margarida de Montbui): it stands out for its tower, walls and Romanesque church, and offers privileged views of the Conca d'Òdena.
• Castell de Tous (Sant Martí de Tous): with its Gothic elements and characteristic tower, it seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale.
• Castell de Piera: a historic royal refuge used by Jaume I, with a tower and crowned city walls.
• Castell d'Òdena: preserves a polygonal watchtower and part of the city walls, a surprising architectural relic.

The ‘Anoia, Land of Castles’ experience

To make this easier and more attractive, the tourism brand ‘Anoia, Land of Castles’ was created with a bilingual map and a mobile app. This app allows you to follow three themed routes – the 11th-12th, 13th and 14th centuries – and includes dramatised audio stories that bring the characters who inhabited these fortresses to life.

Why visit them?

 

• Tangible history: each castle is a living chapter of a rich and turbulent feudal past.
• Spectacular views: all are authentic vantage points overlooking valleys and mountains.
• Diversity and abundance: more than 25 outstanding castles, with options for guided or self-guided tours, depending on your preference.
• Route and technology at the service of visitors: the app and map make it easy to plan your route, with history and cultural heritage always at your fingertips.

 

Can you imagine such a trip?

A morning on the way to Claramunt Castle by bike or on foot along the ‘La muntanya dels nens’ (The Children's Mountain) route; a traditional lunch in a charming village; an afternoon near Montbui Castle, where you can admire the combination of nature and Romanesque architecture. Anoia offers you this and much more: history you can touch, French landscapes and a narrative that connects you directly to the past.