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Castle · Figueres, Catalonia
Castell de Sant Ferran
18th-century military fortress on a hill in Figueres, covering 32 hectares with a perimeter of 3,125 meters. It is the largest monument in Catalonia. The visit goes through the parade ground, the stables and, with a guide, the moat and the cisterns.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Castell de Sant Ferran
After the Treaty of the Pyrenees passed the Fort de Bellegarde to France, Spain decided to build a new fortress on the border. The foundation stone of the Castell de Sant Ferran was laid on December 13, 1753, and the name honors King Fernando VI. The designs were by military engineers Juan Martín Cermeño and his son, Pedro Martín-Paredes Cermeño.
The fortress covers 32 hectares within a perimeter of 3,125 meters and had capacity for 4,000 men. It is considered the largest bastioned fortress of the 18th century in Europe. Beneath the parade ground are the cisterns, which hold up to 9 million liters of water, and the stables had space for 450 horses.
On February 1, 1939, at the end of the Civil War, the last Cortes of the Spanish Republic met in the castle stables. Days later, part of the fortress was dynamited. Some of the works were never completed, such as the church, which remained unfinished.
The self-guided visit, with a leaflet and audio, follows 14 points around the site and does not require a reservation. With a guide, there is the circuit through the moat, made in electric vehicles over about 3 km, and the visit to the cisterns in inflatable boats, called the Catedral de l'Aigua.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours for the self-guided visit. The moat tour lasts about 1 hour and the cisterns tour about 30 minutes.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon in summer, because the site is large and has little shade. Generally open Tuesday to Sunday, and daily in July and August; hours are shortened in winter. Check before you go.
How to get there
It's on top of a hill northwest of the center, at the end of the Pujada del Castell. From the Teatre-Museu Dalí you can walk up that slope or take a taxi.
Tip
Guided visits to the moat and cisterns have limited availability: book in advance. The boat trip takes place in an enclosed space with limited mobility. Bring water and a hat in summer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Castell de Sant Ferran
What can you see without a guide?
The self-guided visit covers 14 points of the site, such as the parade ground and the stables, with a leaflet and audio. No reservation is required.
What is the cisterns tour like?
It is done in inflatable boats, with a guide, inside one of the four cisterns under the parade ground. It lasts about 30 minutes and requires a reservation.
What is the historical importance of the castle?
It was built from 1753 to defend the border with France. On 1 February 1939 it hosted the last meeting of the Cortes of the Spanish Republic.