In the upper part of Portell are two historic landmarks: the surviving cylindrical watchtower of the former Castell de Portell and the parish church of Sant Jaume. The tower belonged to the castle; Sant Jaume is also in the upper part of the village. Both offer a distinct way to explore the town’s history. Font Vella is at the entrance to Portell, opposite the Capella de Sant Ramon; the watchtower and Sant Jaume, by contrast, are in the upper part of the village.

Castell de Portell and its watchtower

The origins of Castell de Portell date back to the first half of the 11th century. The origins of Castell de Portell date back to the first half of the 11th century; the castle was first mentioned in a document in 1035. Count Guifré II of Cerdanya bequeathed the castle to his son Bernat. The cylindrical watchtower, which belonged to the former Castell, survives in the upper part of the village.

Font Vella: an underground water shaft

At the entrance to the village is Font Vella, also called Pou Àrab de Portell, opposite the Capella de Sant Ramon. The old underground water shaft has a cylindrical interior, reached by a staircase leading down. Depending on the water level, the interior may be partially flooded. Masonry forms the shaft, a barrel vault covers its interior, and there is a round arch at the outer entrance. Font Vella is an underground water shaft; the cylindrical watchtower, by contrast, is a surviving part of the former Castell.

Two festivals with their own traditions

The Festa Major de Portell takes place on 31 August in honour of Sant Ramon. It includes a religious ceremony and a dance event in the afternoon. On 1 May, the Festa dels Apòstols de Portell includes a procession to the Santuari de Sant Ramon. During this festival, the Tres Tombs takes place after the solemn Mass. The Goigs are also sung after the solemn Mass in honour of the saint. With the Festa dels Apòstols on 1 May in spring and the Festa Major on 31 August in late summer, these two festival dates fall at different times of the year for travel. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the relevant date before booking.

Architecture around Portell

Around Portell, the Santuari de Sant Ramon Nonat features Baroque monastery buildings and a Baroque church. The cloister is Neoclassical and dates from the 19th and 20th centuries. Its different style makes the cloister particularly distinctive compared with the Baroque buildings and church.

Discover more destinations: Plandogau, Prulláns, Bossòst, Claverol, Músser, Santa Engràcia, Irgo, El Pont De Bar.

For the broader travel overview: Lleida.