Catalunya is a land of castles, but there is one that stands out by difference by its colossal size and its peculiar geometric layout. It is about Sant Ferran Castlea strength of the 18th century located in Figueres (Girona).
With their more than 320,000 square meters of built surfaceSant Ferran’s castle has won the title of largest monument in Catalonia and of Greater strength of the time in Europe. Despite his monumentality, not everyone knows their history or their unique form, which makes it a masterpiece of military engineering.
A star with starry shape and labyrinth structure
Sant Ferran Castle is not a castle to use. Its design responds to very precise defensive criteria: a Star structure with Walls in slope, excavated glacis, interior pits and a fortification system that took advantage of the natural height of the hill where it sits.
From the central Rambla de Figueres, this enclosure is easily accessed, which I could house 6,000 soldiers and 500 horseswith everything you need to resist a long siege.
One of his most surprising experiences is the descent to the system of underground water depositseight meters deep and with Capacity for 9,000 cubic meters. Guided visits allow you to travel this infrastructure even in Pneumatic boatsimmersing the visitor in a story that mixes adventure and military architecture.
A colossal construction that was born late
Despite its size, the history of the castle starts with a contradiction: it was born outdated. In a context of border changes after the treatise of the Pyrenees (1659)the Spanish crown needed to reinforce its defenses in Empordà after losing the Rosellón.
So, Carlos III ordered its construction in 1753but military strategies were no longer going to control castles, but to dominate the territory quickly.
Even so, it was built. In 1766 was inauguratedalthough without being completely finished. Its construction was carried out by the military engineer Juan Martín Cermeñoand his name pays tribute to the monarch Fernando VI.
A “useless beautiful” that fell several times without fighting
During the Rosellón War in 1794the fortress was taken with little resistance by the French, who baptized it as The “useless beautiful”. Years later, in 1808he fell again without a single shot: 200 soldiers disguised as recruits managed to enter for deception.
In 1811the priest Francesc Rovira recovered it in an hour and a half after sneaking into a small potna with the key. But the feat lasted little: the French besieged a few days later, and the surrender came after more than three months of resistance without food.
Also in 1823During the invasion of the hundred thousand children of San Luis, the square was besieged again for six months, ending its role in armed conflicts.
From prison to refuge from the last Republican government
During the 19th centurySant Ferran was reducing his military role to became barracks and prison. Between 1906 and 1933, he welcomed inmates. But the most symbolic moment in its contemporary history came in 1939when The last government of the Second Republic He gathered there before crossing exile.
In it Francoismhe functioned as a prison, even hosting the Lieutenant Colonel Tejero After the failed coup d’etat of 23-F. It was not until 1996 when it opened to the public and its patrimonial value was recognized as Cultural good of national interest.
A geometric jewel yet to discover
He Sant Ferran Castlewith its perfect plant, its patio of weapons of 10,000 square meters and its views on the plain of the Empordà, It is still one of the great forgotten jewels of Spanish heritage.
Its history, marked by war failures and crucial moments, contrasts with the monumentality and precision of its design, making it a Single work of military engineering of the 18th century.
For those who visit Figueres attracted by the Dalí Universe, this castle is A mandatory stop. Not only for his link with the artist, but because Few places allow to walk through a strength of this scale and perfect geometryopen all year and prepared to surprise.
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