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Origin and history

The Château d'Évol, located in the hamlet of the same name on the town of Olette (Pyrénées-Orientales), is mentioned for the first time in 957 during his donation to the monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll by Seniofred, Count of Conflent. This strategic site, confirmed by Pope Serge IV in 1010-1011, then passes into the hands of the Counts of Cerdagne and local noble families such as the Riculfi, allies of the Counts of Barcelona. The surrounding lands, shared with St. Michael's Abbey in Cuxa from 950 onwards, illustrate the religious and political importance of the Valley of Flight from the 10th century.

In the 12th century, the castle and its outbuildings (including the villages of Estavar and Bajanda) became an issue between the lords of So (or Son) and the crown of Aragon. In 1150, the marriage of Catalane de Son with Bernard d'Alion unifies a vast estate including Évol, Quérigut and lands of Sault Country. However, in 1209, Peter II of Aragon confiscates these property to Bernard II of Alion for feudal default, assigning it to the Count of Foix. In 1245, Roger de Foix admits to holding Evol in fief of King James I of Aragon, marking his lasting integration into the conflicts between the houses of Foix and Aragon.

The construction of the present castle began around 1260 under William of So, after Jacques I of Aragon restored to him the seigneurie of Evol, Sahorre and Puyvalador. In 1335, Jacques III de Mallorca raised Évol to the rank of Viscount, and John de So built the Bastide-d'Olette (1335-1344). The Viscounty changed hands several times: confiscated by Peter IV of Aragon in 1345, it was returned to the lords of So before being transmitted by marriage to the Castros in the 15th century. In 1469, Louis XI briefly confiscated the Viscount before his restitution to Aragon in 1493.

The architecture of the castle reflects its defensive role: a quadrangular enclosure flanked by four circular towers, with a cylindrical main tower on the mountain side. A south access ramp and traces of a seven-span housing building remain, while terraces dominate the valley, adapted to artillery. Built in square shale, the fortress illustrates medieval military techniques. Ranked a historic monument in 1982, the Château d'Evol embodies feudal rivalries and the transition between the local authorities and the Aragonese and then French monarchies.

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