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El Casteret

Les, Val d'Aran, Lleida

1 Villages · 4 Monuments · 2 Activities · 1 Curiosities · 2 Historical milestones

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El Casteret

Monument · Les, Val d'Aran, Lleida

A medieval fortification in the municipality of Les, in the Val d'Aran (Lleida), also known as Castell de Les or Castell de Pijoèrt, built on the Castere rock at 726 metres above sea level. It is a rectangular keep, with the door on the first floor facing west, arrow-slit and gun-loop windows and an enclosing wall; its irregular stonework points to a late medieval construction, later reinforced in the modern era. After the Battle of Muret (1213), the Val d'Aran remained the only Occitan territory of the Crown of Aragon, and in 1261 James I stayed at the castle. In 1238 the Aranese burned it down after the treachery of the lord of Les. A square tower and remains of walls are preserved; it was the residence of the barons of Les and is declared a Bien Cultural de Interés Nacional (Catalonia's highest level of heritage protection).

Photo: Viquipèdia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

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