Places near me Random place
All Spain Castellcir Castle Stern - Castell de la Popa

Castle Stern - Castell de la Popa

These striking ruins of a castle resemble a ship's stern.

Castellcir, Spain

Added By
ser flac
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
  User Submitted
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Named for the part of a ship that rises over the main deck aft, Castell de la Popa ("Castle Stern" in English) is an unsusual rock formation in Spain.

Ruins take many shapes and sizes, but typically they more or less resemble what they once were. A building. A temple. A castle. 

But this particular castle resembles something wholly different: The stern of a massive ship, rising jagged and rocky out of the landscape. Thus came its nickname, the Castle Stern. Visitors come to this landmark in the countryside to see what was once a castle, but just as often to see the new shape -- the accidental ship.

Related Tags

Geological Oddities Geology

Community Contributors

Added By

serflac

Published

November 16, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Spain

Spain

Europe

Places 757
Stories 38

Related Places

  • Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

    Tianliao Moon World

    Visit Taiwan’s badlands, which allows visitors to feel like they’re walking on the moon.

  •

    Russia

    Ulakhan-Sis Range

    A remote Arctic mountain range is home to "granite cities" found almost nowhere else.

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

  • The winding curves of Ybykty Canyon.

    Koyulus, Kazakhstan

    Ybykty Canyon

    This small canyon is home to a treasure trove of geological oddities.

  •

    Healy, Alaska

    Suntrana Canyon

    This often-overlooked canyon dazzles and intrigues with its many layers of colors, shapes and odd formations.

  • Looking down at the water-carved tunnels

    Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

    Trümmelbach Falls

    Visit Europe's largest subterranean waterfall, carved by water from the glaciers of the towering peaks surrounding the valley.

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • Pyramids of Euseigne

    Hérémence, Switzerland

    Pyramides d'Euseigne

    These spindly, stone-capped formations are the product of glacial deposits and thousands of years of erosion.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member