Castellón, Spain
Coordinates: 40.358889, 0.408056
Peniscola Castle is a castle in Peniscola, Castellón, Valencian Community, Spain.
The castle is situated on a crag overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, at an altitude of 64 metres (210 ft) above mean sea level.
History
The earliest evidence of habitation in the area were Ibero-Roman remains excavated in the port of Peniscola; they date to the 1st–2nd centuries BC.
Arab writer Al-Idrisi described Peniscola in the 11th century AD, and briefly described a Islamic Moorish castle overlooking the sea.
There are no detailed descriptions until the 13th century, when James I of Aragon briefly summarised the Muslim defences.
The castle was transferred to James’s control in April 1229, after the last Almohad governor of Valencia, Zayd Abu Zayd, signed an accord surrendering various castles in eastern Spain.
Current form is Developed by Crusaders
The current form of the castle is essentially that developed by the Knights Templar, who planned to develop a kingdom centred on Peniscola.
James II of Aragon gave the castle to the Templars in 1294, together with the nearby castles of Pulpís and Xivert. The Templars began work that year, demolished the Muslim fortifications, and completely rebuilt the castle; the work was completed in 1307.
If I am not mistaken, the castle has been used for a number of movies and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and El Cid. This is a not to be missed attraction in Peniscola.
The view above the sea is fantastic as you look straight down the walls.
Know this
There are a labyrinth of rooms to explore within the castle, and you can climb stairs in the inner courtyard to get a good perch for a great view.
