Did you know the name Catalonia for the Northern Region of Spain comes from?

in TravelFeed3 years ago

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It is said that the name Catalonia may come from the word "ca(s)telan" (inhabitant of the castle) as the area had many fortifications.

There are so many castles around 600 in this region almost every mound and hill has an ancient medieval stone fortress.

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Today I was visiting a near by castle and palafols on the coast of the maresme.

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What I love about these fortifications is how much nature is around. You can walk through the woods, taste wild edibles and admire the fungi. The one pictured here i have not identified so ill be leaving it where it is.

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The castle stone structure is very imposing extremely high walls that are ruined, it feels like it could fall on top of you.

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The views around are spectacular, you can see across the valley to the other towers and castles.

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I imagine a thousand years ago there would of been a way to signal between castle to castle with light or sound. Probably looking out for attack since these buildings played a defensive role.

I can only imagine that life may have felt turbulent and these castles offered some protection.