Dreaming of the Past: Vacation at a Medieval Spanish Castle

The authentic medieval Castle of Llaés in the Ripollès region, Spain is open for vacation reservations.

The castle was built in the 10th century, and it has been fully renovated to function as a dream location for rural and historical tourism.

A True Medieval Fort Surrounded by Untouched Nature

The Castle of Llaés stands on a hill, surrounded by greenery and nature which reminds us of the beautiful Tuscany.

Hills, valleys, rich forests, and fields surround the fort, isolating it from the buzz of our busy, modern life.

The view from the castle reminds one of a movie set, as it spreads onto a great valley, and an old road, and one might even see local flocks of sheep in the nearby meadow.

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Preserved Authenticity at Its Finest

Approaching the castle, a visitor is met with a spacious courtyard.

The grass in the courtyard remained mostly untouched. If the surrounding walls were reconstructed, it was done in a very unassuming way.

Modern garden table and seating, as well as the grill in the corner, are all that lets on this is not a set for a medieval movie.

As you approach the entrance into the Castle of Llaés, you’re met with the incredibly preserved arcades.

Castle of Llaés Can Receive Over 16 Guests at a Time

Castles were and are designed to be huge. They’re supposed to house the lord and lady of the keep, as well as all the confidants, assistants, and even domestic animals.

Likewise, the Castle of Llaés is equipped and spacious enough to house more than sixteen guests.

It’s got eight bedrooms, which contain eleven beds altogether. Some are double beds, and some are single twin beds.

There are four bathrooms, there’s a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, multiple terraces, and a garden.

Each of these accommodations retains as much authenticity as was possible while adjusting the castle to suit a modern guest’s needs.

The 10th Century Castle Appropriately Contains a Romanesque Church

Speaking of authenticity, the castle’s San Bartolomé Church was wonderfully preserved and open for prayer and visits.

Sleeping and Waking Like a Medieval Noble

The bedrooms were furnished to retain the medieval spirit as much as possible.

Lavish bed frames, solid wooden dressers and cabinets, and lack of redundant furniture are all reminiscent of the simpler, olden times.

The royal blue bedding adds to the noble vibe of the bedroom, and the discreet black radiator doesn’t disturb the otherwise historical aesthetic.

The focus is placed on natural light as opposed to the strong artificial lighting of our time. The large windows, barren of curtains also retain the simple, primitive medieval feel.

Upon waking, you’re met with a bowl of water and a pitcher to wash your face and freshen up.

Whether you choose to use them or not, you must admit they’re a wonderfully decorating touch to these medieval-style bedrooms.

The Dining Room Retained as Much of the Medieval Look as Possible

Though the chairs and the cabinet decor may not be entirely historically accurate, they fit the aesthetic sufficiently to retain the dramatic and fantastical feel.

The ceramics that adorn a shelf in the dining room also nourish its authenticity. Some, if not all of these pottery pieces are inauthentic, but they’re, again, quite fitting for the present aesthetic.

Lighting Is as Retro as Can Be

There are no candles in the chandeliers and no thralls to light them at dawn, but the castle’s lighting is as retro as it can be while remaining functional in our time.

Guests Are Entitled to Their Own Balcony

Focusing on Functionality

As in most other themed vacation places, the kitchen and the bathrooms of the Castle of Llaés had to have their aesthetics sacrificed to serve a purely functional purpose.