The castle was first documented in 1079 as a possession of the Lord of Lloret.
It served as a key defensive bastion during the wars against the French in the early 1800s.
Excavations revealed pottery fragments dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
The defensive perimeter once included a moat, which has since been filled in.
The remaining tower underwent structural stabilization in the 1990s to prevent further erosion.
The name 'Sant Joan' derives from a small chapel dedicated to Saint John that once stood within the castle walls.
Castell de Sant Joan is an 11th-century fortification located on a hill separating the beaches of Lloret and Fenals in Girona. The site originally served as a defensive structure to protect the coastal population from maritime pirate attacks. While much of the original medieval complex was destroyed by naval bombardment in the early 19th century, the site features a partially restored tower and foundations of a chapel. The location offers panoramic views of the Costa Brava coastline. It operates as part of the Lloret de Mar Open Museum network. The site is situated at an elevation that provided historical strategic control over the surrounding maritime approaches.
From the base of the tower looking southeast toward the Mediterranean Sea.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the path to the summit is paved but features a steep incline.
Bring water as there are no vendor facilities at the top of the hill.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the intense midday sun common in the peak summer months.
Do not attempt the walk in flip-flops or open sandals due to the steep, uneven incline of the access road.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
Respect the archaeological site by staying within the marked pathways and not climbing on the historical masonry.
