Requesens Castle (Spain)

Located in the Sierra de l'Albera, near the Jonquera, in an exceptional natural setting at about 511 meters above sea level, stands the medieval castle of Requesens, in good condition and the setting for some films.

To get to this castle and enjoy its architecture and views, we will have to make a one-hour walking tour starting from the town of Cantallops. The path is uphill although the path offers no complexity beyond this. The objective is clearly visible on top, so there is no loss, besides being properly signaled. The forests of chestnut trees, cork oaks, oaks and pines are also combined with some dolmens like those of Puig Rodó and those of Coll de Medas, testimonies of an area inhabited since time immemorial. We also cross streams and the Font Rovellada (literally, 'oxidized' fountain), one of the few sources with a high iron content and that 'spicy' taste that this type of water possesses. To descend, another path is taken, so that the round trip is circular.

The castle was built nothing more and nothing less than in the eleventh century, so we are talking about a building virtually millennial, and its creation is part of the struggle for the county of Roussillon, a region today belonging to France. It was a strategic point of defense on the way to the nearby Puig Neulós, of an impressive 1,257 meters.

You can easily see that the fortification is composed of a triple line of walls, with some rounded towers, others square, with battlements. At the bottom is the courtyard and a chapel, which includes Romanesque elements from the original period in which the castle was built.

The architectural ensemble has attracted the attention of some film producers and in recent years two films have been shot: El Perfume (which also chose as location the Castillo de San Fernando, in Figueres) and El Caballero del Dragón (1985, starring between others by Harvey Keitel and Miguel Bosé).

During the summer months the castle is open during the day, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the entrance is allowed at a small price, with the objective of paying for its restoration. The rest of the year only access is allowed from 11 to 18 hours, remaining closed on Tuesdays.

We must value this visit not only the architectural complex but the route of arrival itself, of great natural and prehistoric value. Those who visit the Requesens Castle will spend an excellent day of excursion and will also enjoy a privileged view over the entire Sierra de la Albera.