Castell d'Emporda

Travelers in search of a bit of that old-fashioned Spanish castle magic are unlikely to be disappointed by Castell d’Empordà, a very thorough reconstruction of a long-abandoned medieval castle in the mountains just outside of Girona. What does come as some surprise is how much red meat there is for fans of contemporary architecture. For while the medieval construction provides the skeleton of the place — as well as the greater portion of the character of the main building’s rooms — the owners haven’t been shy about introducing modern elements, from the furnishings in the castle’s bedrooms to the stunning parasol-like design of the restaurant’s rust-colored roof.

The Castle and Tower rooms, located in the original building, are the most atmospheric of the lot, their medieval stone walls accented with well-chosen furnishings, both modern and antique. Meanwhile the Garden rooms and suites offer more space as well as a more contemporary aspect, in a subtle modern structure next to the old castle. The shared spaces continue this marriage of old and new, from the lounges to the restaurant to the wine-cellar bar or the rooftop terrace — there’s not a single space in the Castell that’s anything less than dramatic.

And while we don’t wish to traffic too heavily in cultural stereotypes, we can’t imagine anyone will be terribly shocked to learn that the Castell d’Emporda’s owners — and, perhaps more to the point, its architects — are Dutch. Sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to make the most of the local traditions; whatever the case, there’s no denying that the contrast between the ancient structure and the contemporary interventions is an inspiring one.

Please note: Castell d’Emporda closes seasonally from mid-November to April.

How to get there:
Castell d'Emporda is located 50.7 km from Girona Airport and 138 km from Barcelona Airport.