The fortified church of Murla once known as the Castle of Pop

In 1529, corsairs from Cachidiablo sparked a Morisco revolt and attacked the village of Murla, burning the original church of Sant Miquel Arcàngel and kidnapping the Lord of Parcent, Pere de Pereandreu de Roda. Following this destruction, the Count of Oliva ordered the reconstruction of the church in the 16th century. The new structure was fortified and prepared for artillery, resulting in the two large characteristic towers seen today.

The history of the name Castle of Pop is marked by significant confusion. For a long time, it was believed the castle sat on the Cavall Verd mountain. However, research indicates that locals were likely referring to the fortified church of Murla. The confusion intensified in the late 14th century when the church and a different castle in Orba passed to the same owner. In 1609, the local government acquired a chronicle that featured royal troops and Moros, leading chroniclers to search for a castle on a mountain peak because the true location of the old name was forgotten.

The building remains a significant piece of local heritage as a Bien de Interés Cultural. While the northwest tower was reconstructed to its 12th-century state after a bell tower collapsed in 1990, a new bell tower was built on the northeast side next to a residential building. The site stands as a testament to how geography and heritage can become intertwined in collective memory.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons