SPB25 CAE Visit to Castelldefels Castle

After the presentation of each college, all the students went to the city’s castle, the symbol of the city.
A guided tour allowed students to discover the history of the castle which spans a long period : the church inside, dating from the 10th century. 

The Castle served for centuries for territorial and defensive control of the city against Arab invasions, and between the 16th and 17th centuries, against attacks by Barbary pirates. In 1897 a Catalan banker and politician, bought and rehabilitated the Castle, which was in a state of ruins. During the civil war it was used as a military training center by the republican authorities and, later, the church became a barracks for the international brigade members and a preventive prison for deserters and undisciplined. They learn about the pirate past of Castelldefels, the importance of the castle, the way it was modified through the times. 

Then they also visit “PIRATIA“ which is an interactive part of the castle with videos and games to learn about the pirate attacks that Castelldefels and other towns on the coast suffered and the effects on the population. Thanks to this interactive experience the students can also learn about the social and political context in which the pirate attacks appeared in the local and the international scale. It is a multi-sensory journey in which you become a part of a pirate crew. Through audiovisual, scenographic, playful and interactive elements, piracy and privateering are narrated, as well as the social and political context in which this phenomenon appears locally and internationally.

The students were able to discover the history of Castelldefels, placing it in a chronology that they studied in history lessons (Middle Ages, Modern Age and Spanish Civil War). The different media offered (video, touch screens, posters) were varied and allowed a good understanding, in addition to the guide's comments. They learnt about our past related to pirates and the present of the Castle and its use. They develop a deeper appreciation for local history and European cultural heritage. They strengthen their language skills, historical knowledge, and team participation, while gaining insight into how communities have defended and transformed their landmarks over time. The visit promotes curiosity, collaboration, and intercultural learning — key principles of the Erasmus+ experience.