Guarding the peak: the medieval fortress of Gelida

Castell de Gelida in Gelida, Catalonia, is a national heritage site. Perched atop a cliff of the serra d'Ordal, it overlooks the town and the lower course of the river Anoia. The name 'castell de Gelida' was first mentioned in 945 in a donation made by Riquilda to the monastery of Santa Cecília de Montserrat. After Almansor's raid in 985, Ènnec Bonfill acquired the fortress through exchange with the church. The fortress passed through various hands until the 13th century. In the early 12th century, the Almoravites reached the fortress walls.

In 1267, Guerau VI de Cervelló granted privileges to the university of the territory. In 1297, Guerau VII de Cervelló sold the fortress and other properties to the king. In 1309, the king exchanged the fortress with other castles with the comtessa de Pallars. In 1337, the Barony of Gelida was sold to Pere III, of Arborea. The lord of Gelida participated actively in the conflict against Joan II, and in 1465, the fortress hosted the conestable of Portugal Pere.

The Bertran family temporarily lost their domain due to their participation in the conflict against Joan II. In 1529, Anna Violant Bertran i Estaper got married with Joan d'Erill-Orcau and de Requesens. During the 16th century, minor works and repairs were carried out, and it is probable (though not documented) that Felip V destroyed the fortress after the war of successió espanyola. In the 18th century, the stone began to be used for other constructions. In 1780, the rector of Sant Pere requested permission to use it to build the campanar.

In 1815, Josep Pasqual de Marimon i Perellós, V marquès de Cerdanyola, sold the fortress of Gelida to the Leblond, militars. In 1909, the Altimires bought the fortress from the Genés, descendants of the Leblond. In 1965, the Associació d'Amics del Castell de Gelida was founded to manage and recover the heritage of the area around the fortress. In 1968, the fortress became municipal property. In the 1990s, archaeological interventions were carried out, documenting different areas and structures, and the evolution of the buildings.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons