The Tower of Pujol
Translation and adaptation made from various sources
from French into English
Located at the top of a small nipple, the castle of Pujol
is today on the territory of Argelès on sea.
The origins of this castle are not well known. Experts think it was built on a small
natural hill in the late 11th century. This castle, more generally called "Turn of
Pujol", seems to be built during the XI E century on the initiative of the
count of Roussillon. It was an important building the Counts of Roussillon
enfeoffed to the viscount family of Taxo.
With the creation of vicomté of Tatzo (Taxo), the count
inféoda this fortified town with the new Viscount. But in 1143 a local war began between
the count Gaufred and the Viscount Bérenger de Llupia about Pujol precisely. Armed
better, the count who been able to recover it militarily. A final agreement was found the
7 of the calends of November 1143 between the two parts.
In 1145, the two parties started armed conflicts with each other
about "the honour of Pujol". The victor, the Count of Roussillon,
recovered his property. In the late 12th century, the king of Aragon gave up the
castle to the Cistercian abbeay of Fontfroide (Aude). The monks converted the edifice into
an important barn.
It seems that thereafter Pujol remained a possession of the count of Roussillon from which all the goods passed to the count de Barcelone to died of Guinard II, then to king de Majorque during the creation of this transitory kingdom.
One finds the castle in 1343, year when king d' Aragon, sworn enemy of king de Majorque (however a cousin) tries to invade Roussillon by the force. Its troops cross the Pyrenees, take Banyuls, Collioure in turn and make the seat in front of the castle of Pujol. We are on June 2, 1343. The attack is given, but Pujol is defended well. Pushed back, the attackers withdraw themselves.
The following day they attack the town of Argelès, but there still the inhabitants, helped by a troop of mercenaries génois manage to push back them. They will manage however to take Pujol a few times later, the kingdom of Majorque falling definitively into the escarcelle one from king d' Aragon.
It seems that Pujol remained under the authority of
Fontfroide until the 16th century. Then, the castle was given to private individuals.
It had been bought by the commune of Argelès a few years ago. Nowadays, it remains
of this castle a large intact square tower, initially its keep. As it has never been
abandoned, it still has important medieval vestiges. The most remarkable remnant is
the large square tower which is practically untouched and originally served as a keep.
This building offers exceptional architectural qualities, notably two stone stairs
integrated into the wall.
Close to the tower, a lovely covered fountain made of 'cayrou', known as 'd'en
Calvada', should be noted too. This fountain supplied water to the surrounding area of the
caste and without doubt the castle itself.
How to get there:
The Castle of Pujol is situated 1km to the north of Argelès, on the edge of 'chemin de la Salanque'. To reach the castle from the village, follow the signpost 'Plage Nord'; at the 'rond-point de Pujol', follow 'chemin de Neguebous'. Just after the roundabout, turn right at the first crossroads towards 'chemin de la Salanque'.
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