El Palau de Valderrobres

El “Palau”, despite being one of the oldest buildings in Valderrobres, is an imposing structure located at the foot of the castle, and has undergone numerous transformations over time.

The earliest records referring to this building date from the 16th century, although it is very likely to have been standing since the early 15th century. Originally, its function was to serve as the seat for tax collection and it belonged, like the castle, to the archbishopric of Zaragoza. This deep connection with the castle resulted in some fascinating architectural peculiarities, such as its ground floor built against the hillside and the presence of a communication tunnel, possibly secret, that led directly to the fortress.

Within the same building that housed El “Palau”, though probably in a separate section, stood the former hospital. This hospital was a kind of refuge for those in need and belonged to the church, operating on these premises from the 16th century to the 19th century. After the disentailment, it passed into the ownership of the town hall and gradually lost its original function. Throughout the 20th century, the building housed the municipal schools for several decades and was later used as a municipal warehouse.

Today, a large part of the building “el Palau” is privately owned, while the rest, in the hands of the municipality, is devoted to cultural purposes, thus preserving its rich history and adapting to the changing needs of the community of Valderrobres.