Castle of Santa Florentina facts for kids
The Castle of Santa Florentina is an amazing old castle in Canet de Mar, Catalonia, Spain. It was built a very long time ago, in the 11th century! This castle is special because it mixes old Gothic styles with newer Modernist designs. It's even been called one of the "most beautiful houses in the world."
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Discover the Castle of Santa Florentina
The Castle of Santa Florentina has a long and interesting history. It was first built in the 11th century, around the year 1024, by a person named Guadimir de Canet. The castle was actually built on top of an even older Roman villa!
Later, in the 16th century, the castle became the property of the Dimas Muntaner family. Many years later, in 1908, a very important guest visited: King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Because of this visit, the castle's owner, Ramon de Montaner i Vila, was given the special title of "count of Canet."
How the Castle Changed Over Time
In 1910, the castle got a big makeover! A famous architect named Lluís Domènech i Montaner expanded and renovated it. He was known for his unique Modernist style. During this renovation, the castle's outside walls got some cool gargoyles, which are stone carvings, made by the sculptor Carles Flotats i Galtés.
The castle's mix of old Gothic and new Modernist styles made it very special. In 1998, a famous magazine called Architectural Digest featured the castle. They said it was one of the "most beautiful houses in the world" because of how well the old and new designs fit together.
What Can You See at the Castle Today?
Today, the Castle of Santa Florentina is recognized as an important cultural heritage monument in Spain. Even though it's privately owned, you can still visit it! It has a museum inside that you can explore by making an appointment. The museum has many artworks by Catalan artists from the early 1900s.
The castle also hosts a classical music festival every year, which is a great way to enjoy music in a historic setting.
Did You Know? Game of Thrones at the Castle
In 2015, the Castle of Santa Florentina became famous for another reason. It was chosen as a filming location for the popular fantasy TV show Game of Thrones! The castle was used in the sixth season of the series, bringing its ancient walls to a global audience.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Santa Florentina para niños
