Two couples dedicated their lives to restoring and caring for a crumbling 10th-century castle in Spain, turning it into a historical vacation getaway. See how they did it.

Amanda GohJun 11, 2023, 19:14 IST

An aerial image of the castle.Airbnb

In 1994, a Catalan couple bought a crumbling 10th-century castle in Spain and restored it over 16 years.
In 2013, they passed the baton to two former teachers who made it their life project to care for the ancient home.

When Marc Guinjoan, a former teacher from Barcelona, first came across the listing for an ancient castle in Catalonia, Spain, he knew it deserved a new lease of life.

Marc Guinjoan and his wife, Ginny Martens.Marc Guinjoan

The castle is owned by an elderly Catalan couple who bought the crumbling building from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vic in 1994.

An undated black-and-white photograph of the castle before the restoration.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

The surrounding land was owned by a feudal lord named Count Guifré el Pilós in the late 9th century, Tarrida told Insider: "He erected castles and, among them, the Castle of Llaés was built."

The castle as viewed from a distance, circa 1911.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

The surrounding land was owned by a feudal lord named Count Guifré el Pilós in the late 9th century, Tarrida told Insider: "He erected castles and, among them, the Castle of Llaés was built."

But renovating the dilapidated castle was no easy task: The stone walls were crumbling from years of neglect, and the buildings didn't even have water or electricity.

One of the rooms inside the castle before the restoration.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

Tarrida and his wife Capdevila were heavily involved in the restoration process, although family and friends chipped in.

The exterior of one of the castle's buildings before restoration.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

The entire property is perched on a rocky hill and can only be reached on foot — making it difficult to transport the construction materials needed to the site.

The exterior of the castle.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

The couple even found artifacts left behind by the castle's previous occupants during the restoration.

The before image of the terrace.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

Tarrida and his wife Capdevila started restoring the castle in 1994 and completed it in 2010.

The terrace after it was restored.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

Only materials that were true to the castle's time were used to repair the building. Modern updates made include the addition of water, electricity, and heating facilities.

One of the buildings of the castle post-restoration, as viewed from the garden.The Tarrida-Capdevila family/Castell de Llaés

Only materials that were true to the castle's time were used to repair the building. Modern updates made include the addition of water, electricity, and heating facilities.

When Guinjoan took over managing the castle on behalf of Tarrida and Capdevila, he turned it into a rural, short-term vacation rental. It's now available on Airbnb for $559 per night.

An aerial image of the castle.Airbnb

When Guinjoan took over managing the castle on behalf of Tarrida and Capdevila, he turned it into a rural, short-term vacation rental. It's now available on Airbnb for $559 per night.

The two of them have no prior experience managing a castle — or even Airbnbs.

The dining hall.Marc Guinjoan

The castle demands constant attention, and the demands are not always easy to fulfill: For instance, the rural location makes it hard to get any professional help when it comes to repairs.

One of the bedrooms in the house.Marc Guinjoan

The castle demands constant attention, and the demands are not always easy to fulfill: For instance, the rural location makes it hard to get any professional help when it comes to repairs.

The two of them live in a small apartment on the ground floor so they're able to tend to the castle — and their guests' — needs whenever required.

The terrace.Airbnb

The most memorable guests that they've ever had were a group of friends who finally met after over 30 years apart. They'd never finished a game of Dungeons and Dragons before — but decided to end it in the castle, Guinjoan said.

The outdoor garden.Marc Guinjoan

The most memorable guests that they've ever had were a group of friends who finally met after over 30 years apart. They'd never finished a game of Dungeons and Dragons before — but decided to end it in the castle, Guinjoan said.

Being in the castle and a part of the castle's legacy is an otherworldly experience, Guinjoan said

An aerial image of the castle.Airbnb

I stayed in Disney's Contemporary Resort for $809 a night, and my lake-view room minutes from Magic Kingdom was mostly worth it

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Two couples dedicated their lives to restoring and caring for a crumbling 10th-century castle in Spain, turning it into a historical vacation getaway. See how they did it.

When Marc Guinjoan, a former teacher from Barcelona, first came across the listing for an ancient castle in Catalonia, Spain, he knew it deserved a new lease of life.

The castle is owned by an elderly Catalan couple who bought the crumbling building from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vic in 1994.

The surrounding land was owned by a feudal lord named Count Guifré el Pilós in the late 9th century, Tarrida told Insider: "He erected castles and, among them, the Castle of Llaés was built."

But renovating the dilapidated castle was no easy task: The stone walls were crumbling from years of neglect, and the buildings didn't even have water or electricity.

Tarrida and his wife Capdevila were heavily involved in the restoration process, although family and friends chipped in.

The entire property is perched on a rocky hill and can only be reached on foot — making it difficult to transport the construction materials needed to the site.

The couple even found artifacts left behind by the castle's previous occupants during the restoration.

Tarrida and his wife Capdevila started restoring the castle in 1994 and completed it in 2010.

Only materials that were true to the castle's time were used to repair the building. Modern updates made include the addition of water, electricity, and heating facilities.

When Guinjoan took over managing the castle on behalf of Tarrida and Capdevila, he turned it into a rural, short-term vacation rental. It's now available on Airbnb for $559 per night.

The two of them have no prior experience managing a castle — or even Airbnbs.

The castle demands constant attention, and the demands are not always easy to fulfill: For instance, the rural location makes it hard to get any professional help when it comes to repairs.

The two of them live in a small apartment on the ground floor so they're able to tend to the castle — and their guests' — needs whenever required.

The most memorable guests that they've ever had were a group of friends who finally met after over 30 years apart. They'd never finished a game of Dungeons and Dragons before — but decided to end it in the castle, Guinjoan said.

Being in the castle and a part of the castle's legacy is an otherworldly experience, Guinjoan said