Turbiàs: Church, Dolmen and Historic Trails

At 1,223 m, Turbiàs lies where a number of stream ravines meet on the eastern slope of the Serra Plana.

This location combines the elevation with a clear geographical setting: Turbiàs is situated on the eastern slope of the Serra Plana and, at the same time, at the point where the stream ravines meet.

Culture and History

Turbiàs is home to a notable 18th-century church dedicated to Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria. It has been classified as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest (BCIL). A castle in Turbiàs is documented as early as 1159. Turbiàs Castle was one of the fortresses of the Viscounty of Castellbò and was located in the administrative district of the same name.

Thus, the town’s historical record includes both the church, with its dedication and classification, and the castle, with its documented history and its place within the Viscounty of Castellbò. The castle is presented not merely as an individual building, but in connection with the administrative district of the time and the fortresses of the viscounty.

Dolmen de Turbiàs

If you visit the Dolmen de Turbiàs, the approach from Turbiàs heads towards Sant Joan de l’Erm. It begins about 100 metres from the village at a sharp bend. The dolmen is a remarkably large megalith of the Pyrenean chamber-tomb type. Remains of a burial mound have survived. Its capstone contains nine votive or ritual cup marks.

Several distinct features can be identified at the dolmen: its remarkable size for a Pyrenean chamber-tomb megalith, the surviving remains of the burial mound and the nine cup marks on the capstone. Together with the described approach from Turbiàs and the direction towards Sant Joan de l’Erm, this establishes a clearly identified connection between the village, the start of the path and the archaeological site.

Historic Trails

The old path from Castellbò to Sant Joan de l’Erm passes over the Coll de Llei to Turbiàs and Castellbò. A large part of this path coincides with the section of the Camí de l’últim càtar between Castellbò and Sant Joan de l’Erm. The Camí de l’Últim Càtar descends from the forests of Pallerols towards Turbiàs and Castellbò.

The Camí de l’Últim Càtar, in contrast, follows the route described from the forests of Pallerols and descends towards the same two places. A large part of both routes lies between Castellbò and Sant Joan de l’Erm.

On the Outskirts

On the outskirts of Turbiàs there is a large pile of stones with possible indications of a structure. However, it cannot be confirmed that these are the remains of Turbiàs Castle.

It has not been confirmed whether the pile of stones consists of the remains of Turbiàs Castle.

Further places for planning your trip include La Seu D'urgell, La Farga De Moles, Montornès De Segarra, Argestues, Fígols de Tremp, Les Avellanes, Clariana and Anserall.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.