The gatekeeper of the road to Cardona

The Torres de Fals served as the literal key to the road between Barcelona and Cardona. Because it controlled such a vital passage, the masters of the castle of Cardona always maintained domain over these lands. No oath of loyalty appears in the records for this specific site, marking its status as a strategic necessity rather than a mere feudal gift.

The name has persisted in various forms since 995, appearing as Falcas, Falchs, or Falcs. By 1021, records mention Bonfill de Fals, who was appointed as a marmessor by the viscount Bermon de Cardona, to whom he swore loyalty. The possession of the castle passed through various hands, by testament, within the family. The years 1123 and 1143 cite Arnau Bernat de Falcs in separate documents. In 1176 we find Ponç de Falcs, a son of the same name, and his heir, Elissèn de Falcs, documented in 1221. By 1314, the castle was linked to the viscounty organized by Ramon Folc VI de Cardona as part of his heritage, eventually becoming part of a larger ducal estate.

The site is defined by two distinct cylindrical towers separated from the village of Fals by a ravine. The first tower dates back to the 11th century and stands 19.5 meters tall. Its base is built into the living rock using massive, roughly hewn stones held together by a white lime mortar. The irregular nature of these foundation stones suggests a period of high urgency during its construction. As the tower rises, the masonry becomes smaller and more regular, indicating that the upper rows were added later. The original entrance was situated about 8 meters above the rock level, facing northwest, though the current arch shows significant modification.

To the south stands a second tower, likely built between the 13th and 16th centuries. This structure reaches 17.2 meters in height and features a constant wall thickness of 247 centimeters. Unlike the rustic base of its neighbor, this tower is composed of well-worked stone blocks arranged in horizontal rows. It is divided into three levels of equal proportion, with the upper two floors accessible via a terrace. A modern wall with crenellations protects its southern side, preserving the silhouette of the medieval complex.

Today, the site remains a protected asset of national cultural interest. The complex is formed by the remains of the ancient castle of Fals, the old parish church of Sant Vicenç, and the rectory.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons