Parc del Castell de Montesquiu is in Barcelona (province), Catalonia, Spain. Is a natural park with some Castles and buildings in northern Barcelona province

Understand

It is located in the eastern Pre-Pyrenean region, at the northern end of the Osona comarca, and covers parts of the municipalities of Montesquiu, Sant Quirze de Besora, Santa Maria de Besora, and Sora. The park has an area of 546.45 hectares, and its territory is divided into two parts by the course of the Ter River. It features elevations that range between 580 and 850 meters.

History

Located between the mountains of Ripollès and Cerdanya and the plains of Osona, the area of the Parc has been an ideal location for human settlement since ancient times. The most notable architectural remains date back to the early Middle Ages. Montesquiu Castle itself, the chapel of Sant Moí, the remains of the Llaers road, the Codines bridge, and evidence of the primitive strada are the most significant medieval constructions in the park.

While certain farmhouses like Codines, Planeses, Casanova, Sant Moí, Solana, and the castle’s farmhouse have medieval origins, all of them underwent significant transformations or were rebuilt during the 18th century.

Montesquiu Castle is the most notable monument in the park.

• 1 Castell de Montesquiu tourist office (Punt d'Informació del Castell de Montesquiu), Castell de Montesquiu, ☏ +34 934 727 600. (updated Dec 2024)

Landscape

The landscape of Parc del Castell de Montesquiu is characterized by a terrain traversed by several east-west mountain ranges, notably the Bufadors Range and the Serrat de la Rovira. The area features forests of oaks and Scots pines, as well as old farmhouses, some of which have been adapted for educational activities or to maintain agricultural practices. However, the most distinctive element of the park is the Montesquiu Castle, which gives the park its name.

The landscape of the park has been deeply shaped by human activity. Four main units can be identified: forests, meadows, riparian vegetation, and cultivated fields. The predominant forest is composed of pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens). In many areas, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) dominates. Generally, the oak grows on sunny slopes and plains, while the Scots pine thrives in shaded areas. There are also patches of typical Central European vegetation, including beeches and linden trees. The dense forest provides shelter for a diverse range of wildlife.

Riparian vegetation forms narrow bands along the riverbanks and includes a wide variety of species such as elm, poplar, willow, alder, and plane trees. This environment supports a rich diversity of fauna.

The cultivated fields, located around the main farmhouses, are primarily used for forage and cereal crops. Along the banks of the Ter River, terraces are dedicated to vegetable farming.

Climate

The climate is typically Mediterranean with continental influences, characterized by mild to warm summers and cool winters. Average temperatures range between 5°C in winter and 25°C in summer. Rainfall is moderate and fairly distributed throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the wettest seasons. Snowfall can occur in winter, especially at higher elevations. The varied terrain and forest cover create localized microclimates, with shaded valleys remaining cooler and more humid than sunny slopes. These conditions support diverse vegetation, including oak, Scots pine, and riparian forests, and sustain a rich variety of wildlife.

Get in

Parking

• 1 Parking Montesquiu's Castle. free. (updated Dec 2024)

Fees and permits

Free to visit the park. Some activities has a fee, like the guided visit to the castle.

See

Montesquiu castle

Castle Hut (Cabanya del Castell)

• 1 Montesquiu's Castle (Castell de Montesquiu). weekends and festivities: 9:45-14:30, jul-Ago tue-sun 9:45-14:30. It has been documented since the 13th century. Its origin seems to lie in a small rectangular watchtower, still preserved in the current structure of the castle, likely built between the 10th and 11th centuries. The castle is a large medieval manor with additions and modifications from later periods. Used during the Middle Ages by the lords of Besora, it was always linked to the Besora Castle, now completely in ruins. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle underwent the main modifications that gave it its current appearance. In 1976, it was donated by its last owner, Emili Juncadella, to the Diputació de Barcelona, which has since carried out the rehabilitation of the building to ensure its preservation, enhance its architectural and historical value, and adapt part of its rooms as a resource and convention center.. 4€, 3€ reduced price for students and retired, free for children until 16y/o. (updated Dec 2024)
  • Montesquiu Castle gardens. The gardens are made up of a forest area and a typical garden area. The gardens conceal a surprise. there is a model of the solar system in front of the Cabanya del Castell. (updated Dec 2024)
  • Castle Hut (Cabanya del Castell). Used as an Exhibition hall. they were and old stables and grain warehouse. (updated Dec 2024)
• 2 Codines bridge (Pont de les Codines) (Acces by BV-4655 road). It was part of the old royal road from Vic to ripoll. It is a small single-arch bridge that crosses the Sora stream, a right tributary of the Ter river. The beauty of the place and the simplicity of its lines mean that it is often visited by painters. It used to have two stone railings, which have now disappeared. The floor is paved. It is five meters long and a couple of meters wide, and its height above the water level is approximately one and a half meters. Despite its state of abandonment, it is perfectly passable. (updated Dec 2024)
• 3 Sant Moí Hermitage (Ermita de Sant Moí) (Walking access by N152A in a path departing near the train bridge over the Ter River, signaled by an information post, In La farga de Bebier hamlet.). Attached to the farmhouse of the same name, is documented in the 13th century, although it was built at the end of the 10th century. The farmhouse and the chapel are part of the Montesquiu castle. Due to its characteristics, one would say that it is much earlier and belongs to the pre-Romanesque period. (updated Dec 2024)

Castillo de Besora

• 4 Besora Castle (Castell de Besora). The castle was mentioned in 895. Its territory included the current municipal areas of Sant Quirze de Besora, Santa Maria de Besora and Montesquiu. The counts of Barcelona gave it as a fief to a family of county vicars called Besora. Gombau de Besora was the best known figure of this family, as he actively intervened alongside the count of Barcelona, ​​Ramon Borrell. The church of Santa Maria, documented in 898, was the property of the monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses and had parish functions. At the end of the 14th century, the castle and its lands passed into the hands of a lateral branch of the Besora family, and in the 15th century it appears linked to the Canet family. During the Remença War the building was further fortified, but in the 17th century, during the Reapers' War, the castle was already in poor condition. The counts of Santa Coloma, the Queralts, were the last lords of the castle until the 19th century. During this century, the continued use of the castle by Carlist troops led to the liberals having it demolished in 1839, as well as the church of Santa Maria. The church was transformed and renovated in the 14th century and again in 1590, when the portal and the porthole of the west wall were built, and again throughout the 17th century, when the chapels of the Mare de Déu del Roser and Sant Isidre were opened in the walls of the nave. The vault must have been redone perhaps because of the earthquakes of the 15th century and the interior was plastered. The chapel ceased to be a parish in 1759, when the new parish was built in Pla de Teia, remaining as a Marian sanctuary. (updated Dec 2024)
• 5 Tres Pals pass (Coll dels Tres Pals). From Montesquiu Castle, you can walk up the sign-posted route that leaves the car park, goes down to the Solana stream and then up the track that goes round the hill of La Rovira. You pass through oak and red pine forests and can enjoy some magnificent views once you get to the top. (updated Dec 2024)

Viewpoints

• 6 Montesquiu Viewpoint (Mirador de Montesquiu). Viewpoint in the access road to the castle. it has a very small parking area. Views of the Montesquiu village and the Ter river from a Cliff (updated Dec 2024)
• 7 La Rovira Viewpoint (Mirador de la Rovira). From this natural observatory, you can see forests made up of red pine and oak in the sunny areas and magnificent beech forests in the shady areas. The shady area of the Revell stands out, stretching from Montesquiu Castle to Besora Castle. (updated Dec 2024)

Do

Hiking

there are several marked routes:

• 1 L'obaga del castell route (start point). 2.5km , 95m accumulated uphill. (updated Dec 2024)
• Obaga de les Codines route (Starts in Pont de les Codines.). 6.2 km , 233m acc. uphill, (updated Dec 2024)
• PR-C 214 Serra de Bufadors (Starts in castell de montesquiu parking). 12km, 447m acc. uphill, moderate difficulty (updated Dec 2024)
• SL-C 129 del Castell de Montesquiu al castell de Besora (Starts in castell de montesquiu parking). 10km, 418m acc. uphill, moderate difficulty (updated Dec 2024)
• SL-C 130 Sant Moí (Starts in castell de montesquiu parking). 10km, 356m acc. uphill, moderate difficulty (updated Dec 2024)
• Del Castell de Montesquiu al coll dels Tres Pals (Starts in castell de montesquiu parking). 8.5km, 246m acc. uphill, moderate difficulty (updated Dec 2024)

Eat

Picnic areas

• 1 Castell Xic picnic area (Àrea d'esplai de la font del Castell Xic). picnic area with parking and water source free. (updated Dec 2024)

Sleep

• HOTEL Sant Quirze de Besora, Ctra. de Berga n142,, ☏ +34 93 852 96 40, info@hotelbesora.com. €67. (updated Dec 2024)