The Medieval Ruins of Sant Salvador de Verdera

The ruins of Sant Salvador de Verdera, situated in Sant Salvador Saverdera at an elevation of 670 meters, are located at the highest peak of the Serra de Rodes (which in this sector takes the name of the mountain or mountain range of Verdera) in the municipality of El Port de la Selva (Alt Empordà). Declared a cultural asset of national interest, the ruins comprise two main historical and constructive phases. The first, dating to the first half of the 11th century, is represented by the church of Sant Salvador de Verdera, which belongs to the first stage of the castle.

The second phase involved the reconstruction of 1283, which includes most of the buildings that are still recognizable today. These elements demonstrate the assimilation of new military architecture of Eastern influence introduced to the West through the crusades. During this period, disputes over ownership arose between the comte and the abbot regarding the possession of the fortress.

In 1285, invaders occupied the castle and held it for six months. After their expulsion, Sant Salvador returned to the hands of Ponç Hug. In 1299, the abbey appealed to the episcopal courts of the bishop of Girona against the comte d'Empúries over multiple occupations of jurisdictions and property, including the castle of Sant Salvador. The sentence condemned the comte and threatened him with excommunication in 1301, forcing him to sign a concordat with the abbot in 1303, by which he renounced all occupations except for Sant Salvador, which continued in a situation of tacit co-dominion in the hands of the comte.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons