Barcelona tours: Visit Montesqui, a Medieval Castle

This is our Barcelona Tours section. Here you can take a virtual photographic tour of Barcelona, enjoy the Barcelona pictures and learn about an interesting aspect of the city or the region of Catalonia. We will spotlight a new Barcelona tour each month, so be sure to visit often.

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Visit the previous Barcelona Tour page: Tibidabo, Barcelona's highest point.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. The open gate invites us to make our way up to Montesquiu's medieval castle. The open gate invites us to make our way up to Montesquiu's medieval castle.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. Our first view of the Montesquiu's medieval castle as we leave the wooded trail. Our first view of the Montesquiu's medieval castle as we leave the wooded trail.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. A typical view from one of the castle's many large and inviting windows. A typical view from one of the castle's many large and inviting windows.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. The castle looms behind us as we begin our afternoon walk on one of the park's trails. The castle looms behind us as we begin our afternoon walk on one of the park's trails.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. It is important to keep your feet dry as you cross this shallow creek. It is important to keep your feet dry as you cross this shallow creek.

Visit Montesqui, a Medieval Castle

Images and Text by Gaston Magrinat. Click on any image for a larger version.

The region of Catalonia, like its capital Barcelona, has a lot to offer. Its long Mediterranean coast filled with half-moon beaches, the rugged Pyrenees with their many national parks and villages tucked away in hidden corners, and the ancient fort-like “masias” of the country people are an endless source of fascination.

One of these hidden corners of the pre-Pyrenees, straddling the Osona and Ripollès districts on the River Ter, is where we will find Montesquiu, a medieval castle. First documented in 1285, and once a part of a defensive triangle that includes the medieval castles of Besora and Saderra, it today presides over a national park perfectly suited for a quiet day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Taking advantage of the splendid fall weather, we spent a day at Montesquiu. After an easy hour’s drive from Barcelona, we arrived at the parking lot ready to visit the castle, do some hiking and find a nice spot for a picnic.

The castle is just beautiful. It gives the impression of being indestructible, isolated, solitary and comforting all at once. Its Gothic staircase with its glass ceiling provides an abundance of natural light as do its many large windows. Darkness could not take hold here and the streaming rays of sun added a very warm feel to the interior of this stone structure.

Built high upon a summit amidst green rolling hills stretching for miles, the castle has no shortage of windows and each one offers its unique perspective of the surrounding landscape.

After visiting Montesquiu's medieval castle we put on our light backpacks loaded with some tasty treats and set off for a walk. Our path was a 3 Km loop trail that would afford some great views and offer many quiet places for our picnic. About half way through our hike we decided to cross a small creek to a rock island for our meal. The sound of the water provided us with a sweet melody and the sun kept us warm while we enjoyed our lunch.

It was difficult getting started again after such a delight full meal, but the sun was moving and it was time for us to follow. Keeping our feet dry as we crossed the creek, we quickly picked up the trail, passing through oak groves and scattered meadows before beginning a light ascent. Our climb provided us with some scenic views of the river and the villages that line its banks before we reached the castle with the setting sun.

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Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. After passing through the gate, we follow the trail to this medieval castle. After passing through the gate, we follow the trail to this medieval castle.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. This small room with is porcelain sink leads to the castle`s private chapel. This small room with is porcelain sink leads to the castle`s private chapel.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. A group of visitors making their way down the gothic stairwell. A group of visitors making their way down the gothic stairwell.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. The Fall offers us a wide range of wild fruits such as these mushrooms. The Fall offers us a wide range of wild fruits such as these mushrooms.

Barcelona tours: Montesquiu, a medieval castle-barcelona pictures. Time for our picnic lunch on this rock island. The sun kept us warm while we enjoyed our meal. Time for our picnic lunch on this rock island. The sun kept us warm while we enjoyed our meal.