Heritage

Alpuente CASTLE: A JOURNEY TO THE FRONTIER OF HISTORY

Alpuente Castle, dating back to the Caliphate period (9th century), stands as the original nucleus from which the settlement that controlled access through the valley emerged. The presence of the Albarrana Tower, with its characteristic Caliphate masonry, and the remains of ancient dwellings in the citadel area confirm this early occupation. All of this reveals how the access points to the plateau—which served as an “albacara”—were secured, offering refuge to the population and livestock and functioning as a military camp. Between the 11th and 12th centuries, the growing population spurred the construction of dwellings within the enclosure, forming a true alcazaba. The wall and towers that today define the fortress’s imposing western façade also date from this period. After the fall of the Taifa, in 1236 the territory became part of the Crown of Aragon, serving as the center of control and administration for the Bailiwick of Alpuente, as well as the residence of the Bailiff and his garrison. Alpuente Castle was the scene of numerous battles due to its strategic location at the confluence of three borders: Castile, Aragon, and Valencia. After the War of Succession and the arrival of the Bourbons under Philip V—and in retaliation for its support of the candidate from the House of Habsburg—orders were given to demolish the castle between 1707 and 1713. Although the upper part was dismantled or left in ruins, the castle regained prominence during the First Carlist War when it was occupied in 1835 by Cabrera’s Carlist troops.

Alpuente'S WALLED ENCLOSURE: A TOWN BUILT FOR DEFENSE

Alpuente It retains a fortified urban layout dating back to the Islamic period (11th century), a result of the need for protection in an area marked by the border. The town developed at the foot of the castle and was surrounded by a wall with 14 towers, while part of the town remained outside the walls in the area known as Arrabal. The wall ran north to south along the western slope, stretching 400 meters. It began at the so-called Portillo, where one of the towers was located, and descended the ramp until it overlooked the Barranco del Reguero at its northern end. Beyond this point, the hill’s natural slope itself completed the defensive enclosure of the site. The fortification was built using a mixed construction method, combining a solid base of double-course masonry with an upper section of rammed earth with a clay-rendered finish—a technique characteristic of Al-Andalus military architecture.

THE ALJAMA TOWER: THE MAIN GATEWAY TO THE TOWN OF Alpuente

The Aljama Tower—or Alhama, from the Arabic “meeting place”—is the best-preserved tower in the complex, likely because it housed the main gate leading into the city. From its earliest days, it appears to have served administrative functions, eventually becoming one of the most iconic buildings in Alpuente. The upper floor housed the trading exchange (Lonja de contratación) beginning in the 15th century, and the building served as the seat of the Alpuente City Council until 2010. Over the centuries, the tower has undergone numerous renovations and adaptations to meet the needs of each era. As a result, its structure reveals various construction techniques that visually chronicle its evolution. In the 16th century, the ceilings were lowered and a wing was added to the tower, along with a magnificent hall that preserves exceptional polychrome plasterwork featuring the town’s old coat of arms, dating from the 18th century. Surprisingly, the original wooden mold used to create this plasterwork is still preserved, offering a unique testament to the artisanal process. On the ground floor of the building is the Hall of the Cortes, where the Cortes of the Kingdom of Valencia were held on two occasions, making this space a key site in Valencian institutional history. Through the Porche de San Antonio, visitors can access the Guard Room, the dungeon, and the old stables, completing a tour that offers insight into the town’s daily life and defensive systems during both medieval and modern times.