Pubol Castle

Also known as the Gala-Dali Castle, the Pubol Castle in Spain’s Costa Brava region was once the home of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali and his wife, Gala, although at different times. Located in the village of Pubol, the three-story castle dates back to the 11th century, but was only purchased by Dali in 1969 as a gift to Gala. It was in poor condition and Dali completely renovated it, preserving the outside appearance while making over the interior, adding baroque textiles, romantic symbols and pictorial representations on the walls. He placed sculptures of elephants in the garden, as well as busts of Richard Wagner around the swimming pool. Dali also built a throne for Gala and painted her as an angel.
After Gala’s death in 1982, Dali moved into the castle and it served as his studio for the last two years of his life. It has been open to the public as a museum since 1996, displaying both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Practical Info

The castle is open every day throughout the year, although specific opening times vary. Admission for adults in 8 Euros and while guided tours are available, they should be reserved in advance. The village of Pubol is located about 40 kilometers from Figueres. To get there, take the train to Flaca station and either walk the final 4 kilometers to Pubol or hire a taxi. You can also take a bus to either Flaca or La Pera, which is only 2 kilometers from Pubol.