The Castell de Súria, located in the municipality of Súria, Bages, is a testament to both history and architecture. Built in the 10th century, it began life as a watchtower, standing guard over a border region in Catalonia. Over time, it transformed into a castle-residence, hosting castlans and ultimately becoming a cultural site of national interest. The castle's walls, built with long-shaped stones, tell a story of the different eras it has survived, from the 11th century to the 20th century.
Today, the castle serves as a Centre d'Interpretació del Poble Vell (Centre of Interpretation of Old Town), opening its doors to visitors. The gateway to the castle is through a pointed archway, leading to a courtyard surrounded by the castle's walls. The tower of the lord (12th century) is still preserved, located in the inner part of the building as a result of the rehabilitation that was carried out. The castle defended the territory corresponding to the current term of Súria, with its main entrance facing the direction of Manresa.
The current appearance of the castle dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, and even though it is a significant historical site, it has not been devoid of modern uses. In the middle of the 20th century, the castle served as a station of the optical telegraph and communicated with stations in Manresa, Cardona, Serrateix, and Castelltallat. At the heart of this historic castle lies a unique connection to a local bridge. The Cardener river, which flows nearby, was once a critical artery for travel and commerce.
The castle stood guard over this river, keeping an eye on a strategic point: a bridge. The bridge, whose remains are now under the modern bridge that connects Súria with Manresa, was an essential piece of infrastructure, facilitating communication and commerce between the two towns.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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