Castell de Sant Ferran

Figueres


Figueres' sturdy 18th-century fortress commands the surrounding plains from a low hill 1km northwest of the centre. The complex is a wonder of military engineering: it sprawls over 32 hectares, with the capacity for 6000 men to march within its walls and snooze in military barracks.

Built in the 1750s to repel French invaders, the fortress nevertheless fell to its Gallic neighbours – both in 1794 and 1808. Spain’s Republican government held its final meeting of the civil war (on 1 February, 1939) in the dungeons here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Figueres attractions

1. Teatre-Museu Dalí

0.68 MILES

The first name that pops into your head when you lay eyes on this red castle-like building, topped with giant eggs and stylised Oscar-like statues and…

2. Museu del Joguet

0.77 MILES

This museum has more than 5000 toys from throughout the ages – from the earliest board games involving coloured stones, to intricate dolls’ houses, to…

3. Museu de l’Empordà

0.83 MILES

Extending over four floors, the local museum time travels from ancient amphorae to 7th-century sculptures to rotating installations of contemporary art…

6. Basílica de Santa María

6.61 MILES

This broad church seizes attention with its Romanesque tower, intricately carved portal, and a delicate sculpture on its tympanum (above the main entrance…

7. Ecomuseu-Farinera

6.67 MILES

In its heyday, this farinera (flour factory) was producing 20,000kg of the white stuff each day. Even if milling innovations aren't your thing, a wander…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/figueres/attractions/castell-de-sant-ferran/a/poi-sig/1188431/1004438",
      "destination": "Figueres",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "city": "Figueres",
      "position": "superzone"
    }