Castell de Taradell

In the heart of Osona, a medieval fortress clings to a rocky hill, situated atop a large cave. The first documentation of the castle's existence dates to the year 893 in the Cartulary of the Cathedral of Vic. It features remains from the 10th - 11th centuries, including a section of the former chapel of Santa Creu, and a large wall from the 14th century measuring about seventy metres.

The castle was conceived for defense and watchtower functions. It was initially held by the lords of Taradell, then passed to the Vilademany through a matrimonial link in 1165. Over the following centuries, it passed to the Cruïlles, the Perapertusa, the counts of Joc, the counts of Aranda, and the dukes of Híjar through various marriage alliances. The superior right of ownership was held by the counts of Barcelona - for instance, it was part of the dowry given by count Ramon Borrell to his wife Ermessenda de Carcassona.

From the 16th century, the site lost its strategic value following the construction of the Torre de la plaça in 1550. It was abandoned and recorded as a farm during part of that century, and by the 17th century, it was in ruins. Today, works of consolidation have been carried out on the remains to preserve the site's historic structure.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons