El Castillo del Poyo: A Millennia-Old Vantage Point of History and Strategy in Alpuente

Located in a privileged setting, this spot is much more than a fortification: it is an open book on the history of the Serranía, a silent witness to the Al-Andalus era, Christian conquests, and civil wars.

Geography and Surroundings

Cerro del Poyo, situated southwest of the village of El Collado, rises to an elevation of 1,475 meters. Its topography makes it a perfect natural bastion:

• The Upper Plateau: It covers an area of nearly one hectare, surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs that made any enemy attack extremely difficult.

• Surrounded by ravines: It is isolated by deep ravines and flanked by neighboring peaks such as La Moratilla, La Muela Catalana, and the imposing Muela del Buitre (1,546 m).

• Landscape and Agriculture: While the slopes are home to scrub and small patches of pine, juniper, and savin trees, the flatter areas consist of terraced dryland fields.

Furthermore, its location visually dominates the entire northern part of the Alpuente Valley all the way to La Yesa, naturally connecting historic routes leading to Teruel, Cuenca, and the Losilla area.

More Than a Medieval Fortress

Although its main appearance evokes a medieval fortification, the origins of this site date back to the mists of time:

• Bronze Age and Iberian period: Evidence suggests that human settlements already existed in these highlands during prehistory and the Iberian period.

• The splendor of Al-Andalus: Although the exact date of its construction remains unknown, we know that it formed an unbeatable defensive partnership with Alpuente Castle.

Border, Trade, and Royal Roads

Following the Christian conquest in 1236, the Castillo del Poyo took on new significance as it became the border between the Kingdom of Valencia and the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon.

In the heart of the 13th century, the powerful Bailiwick of Alpuente revolved around this point. Its function was not only military but also economic: the Royal Road from Valencia to Aragon ran through here, along which vast quantities of goods—notably livestock and wool—were transported down to the Valencian capital.

Over the centuries, the Bailiwick’s territory became fragmented—with La Yesa (1583), Aras (1728), and Titaguas (1729) gaining independence— but the Castillo del Poyo remained the faithful guardian of the main road connecting Moya and Landete with Valencia via La Yesa.

The End of an Era: A Key Player in the Carlist Wars

The castle’s military history persisted into the 19th century, becoming a decisive stronghold during the First and Third Carlist Wars, when it was known as Castillo del Collado or Fuerte del Collado. It even housed a training academy for the Carlist army.

Its resistance in the final stages of the conflicts was legendary:

• First War: After the fall of Morella, the castle’s defenders refused to lay down their arms, forcing General Aspiroz’s government troops to take it by force.

• Third War (1875): When the bulk of the Carlist forces had already retreated north of the Ebro River following the fall of Cantavieja, this castle remained unyielding. It withstood General Manuel de Salamanca’s assaults until an intense and devastating artillery bombardment forced its surrender.

Interestingly, the fall of Castillo del Poyo marked the end of that civil war in the Valencian region, bringing to a close centuries of military history in this corner of the Serrania.