Montclús Castle

Montclús Castle stands within the municipality of Sant Esteve de Palautordera in present-day Spain. Its origins trace back to a medieval Catalan civilization that established the stronghold during the early Middle Ages.

The earliest phase of the castle’s history dates to the 10th century when an initial structure was erected, which later served as the foundation for a more extensive fortification built across the 11th and 12th centuries. This initial establishment featured a circular tower adjacent to a hall and formed the core of the site’s defensive layout. From the mid-11th century onward, Montclús castle served as the center of a local barony governed by the Montseny family. These lords operated under the authority of the Knights Hospitaller, a religious and military order connected to the commandery of Sant Celoni.

Between 1230 and 1263, the castle gained renewed prominence when Guillem de Sesagudes adopted the Montclús surname and formally took lordship over the castle. Ownership shifted in 1275 when Ramon de Cabrera acquired the stronghold, and this family maintained control through the 15th century. A significant legal change occurred in 1403 as Bernardí de Cabrera purchased the chief lordship rights from the Hospitaller order, ending the castle’s feudal dependence on the religious commandery.

During the 14th century, the castle underwent architectural transformation aimed at adapting it towards residential use, turning the medieval fortress into a palace-like residence. The nearby chapel dedicated to Santa Margarida was restored early in the 16th century but fell into ruin by the mid-18th century. Following the chapel’s deterioration, authorities allowed its relocation to a nearby field called Parellada in 1739. Archaeological activity at the site began in 1995, leading to further study and restoration efforts initiated the following year to recover the historical fabric of Montclús Castle.