You must not leave the Pyrénées-Orientales until you have paid a little visit to Castelnou. Superbly preserved, this medieval village is worth a detour for many reasons! Lying at the foot of a feudal castle, the former capital of the viscountcy of Vallespir invites its visitors to travel in time...
Once they have stepped through the monumental Caselnou door, lovers of old buildings can only be amazed by the harmony found in this fabulous village. Picturesque little streets bedecked with flowers and lined with stone houses, the remains of ramparts interspersed with towers, the 10th-century viscount's castle, and art and craft shops make the walk a real enchantment...
Beyond the fortified enclosure is the Church of St Mary of Mercadal (Sainte-Marie du Mercadal), which has furniture from the baroque period.
The castle of Castelnou dates from the end of the 10th century. Possession of the kings of Mallorca from the 14th century, it was completely restored in the XIXth century and somewhat modernized. A pentagon with two sides at right angles, the building is surrounded by crenellated ramparts more than three meters thick. Its walls have the peculiarity of encompassing a group of buildings which do not surround an inner courtyard, but the summit of a small piece of mountain in its raw state.
The Church of Santa Maria del Mercadal is a charming Romanesque building dating from the 12th century. Modified by the addition of certain elements in the eighteenth century, such as the sacristy and the bell tower, it owes its name to the market that once stood beside it. Inside, it is possible to admire Romanesque paintings, as well as beautiful furniture in baroque style.
Formerly part of the village defense system, the tower of Castelnou takes place on a hilltop that dominates the town. This small cylindrical tower rests on the same level as many other watchtowers of the Roussillon.
As you stroll through the village, you will appreciate the old mansions and the staircase alleys to pass through one of the two main streets. There are also many vestiges of the ancient ramparts, like the door of Millars, to the north, with its two towers.
