Conesa Castle (Conesa)

When you look for Conesa Castle, look for a seemingly simple building. Only one structure remains of the town's former castle, and at first glance, it doesn't reveal its past. Located on Castell Street, it is a listed Cultural Asset of National Interest and forms part of the municipality's military heritage.

If you take a closer look, you'll find walls built mostly of ordinary masonry and lime mortar, although some sections are dry-stone. A stone staircase provides access to the building, which is covered with a gabled roof of curved Arabic tiles. Apparently, stones from the old castle were reused to build the tithe house of Santes Creus.

The first documented mention of the castle dates from 1123, when Berenguer Sendred bequeathed it to his son Arnau. In 1178, King Alfonso granted it as an encomienda to Ramon de Cervera. Later, in 1210, King Pedro ceded the castle and the surrounding area to Guillem de Guardialada, who bequeathed them to his wife and daughter.

Later, the town and castle passed to the Alguaire convent. The possession led to a lengthy lawsuit between the convent and Guillem's heirs, which the king resolved in favor of the convent in 1252. In 1257, Gueralda de Guàrdia ceded the castle and town to the Hospitaller Order.

In 1285, the king also ceded all his rights to the order, although the castellany was in private hands. The Hospital retained possession of the town and the castle until the end of feudal estates.

To locate it, keep in mind one particularity: the current location has been provided by the residents of the town.