Fortresses in the Levante area

Fortresses in the Levante area

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Levante is a land of castles and fortresses that have a unique style, thanks to the coexistence of two civilisations, the Moors and the Spanish. In Levante, two civilisations merge in the form of fortresses. A combination of shapes in which it is difficult to discern the traces of the two civilisations that moulded them, the Muslims and the Spanish. As if to serve as an example to humanity, both lines live together in harmony in what is a clear challenge to the passage of time.

Santa Barbara, in Alicante

We rescue from the passage of time the buildings that can today be visited and which yesteryear were used to defend the regions and the cities, such as Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante, Calahorra Tower in Elche, Sagunto Castle or Peñíscola Castle.

Perched on a 166 metre high headland, Santa Barbara Castle keeps watch. In this unique enclave, these fortifications are not the only ones that can tell hundreds of battle stories. On the slopes of the promontory, called Banu-IQatil by the 2nd century Moorish geographer Al-Idrisi, archaeological remains have been found belonging to the Bronze Age, the Iberians and the Roman Empire.

The fortress, however, dates from the 9th century, period in which the area was governed by the Moors. On 4 December 1248, the festivity of Saint Barbara (hence the name) the Infante Alfonso de Castilla, future King Alfonso X the Wise, captured this strategic Moorish emplacement.

The castle is divided into three complexes. The first of these is the highest and contains the oldest remains of the fortifications. This area is known as La Torreta, as it is here that the keep tower is located. It contains important facilities, such as the engineers section, the hospital, the governer's house and the citadel, located in the widest esplanade, known as Macho del Castillo.

The middle complex contains the most sumptuous facilities, the result of a remodelling that was completed in 1580, such as the Felipe II Room, the Troops Barracks, opposite the large parade ground, the ruins of Santa Barbara chapel or the Queen's Bastion.

In the third area is the Revellin de Bon Repos, where there is a monument to the Alicante military man, Felix Berenguer de Marquina.

Calahorra Tower in Elche

Within the city, located between Santa Isabel square and calle Uberna, stands the unique fortified Calahorra Tower. Of Moorish origins and built in the 12th century, it formed part of the old city walls of Elche.

In the 15th century an annexed building was built, with two floors plus a basement, a wheat storeroom that ended up being used as "almudin", that is, a public house in which wheat was bought and sold. Today it houses the regional government's local office.

Castillo de Sagunto

On a privileged promontory that overlooks the Mediterranean stands the castle of Sagunto: an impressive fortification made up of seven complexes called: Almenara, Albacar, Patio de Armas, Plaza de los Estudiantes, San Fernando, Ciudadela Barrania.

Of particular interest is the Patio de Armas (parade ground), where there are important remains of Roman constructions that date back to before the Moorish and Castilian domination, such as the municipal forum, a cistern carved out in the rock, the foundations of the basilica, other remains of religious buildings and the public square.

Peñíscola Castle

The white walls of Peñíscola castle reflect the sunlight. Situated at the top of a small peninsula, the highest point of the city, it is an exponent of the Moorish intelligence in the construction of impregnable fortresses. With a square layout, the castle has five towers, all with the same floor plan.

Jaime I captured the castle from the Moors in 1233 and it was later handed over to the Templars. The enigmatic order carried out extensive remodelling of the structure and refortification, which gave the castle its definitive silhouette. In 1411, the Aragonese Benedict XIII, known in Spain as the "Papa Luna", established his residence there. The pontifical rooms have been perfectly preserved.