The Castle of Peñiscola

Declared a Historic-Artistic monument in 1931, it is located in the highest area of the rock, 64 m above sea level, with a perimeter of 230 m. The castle, built by the Templars on the remains of an ancient Arab citadel, underwent minor alterations under the rule of Benedict XIII, transforming it into a papal palace. The walls are made of carved stone and all the rooms are covered with barrel vaults that start from very simple imposts formed by a molded cord. The sobriety and solidity of its construction stand out in the Templar rooms as well as in the strategic and intricate pontifical rooms. In spite of the modifications introduced by Felipe II to artillery the fortress and the bombardments suffered in the numerous wars and sieges, the conformation of the castle has not been substantially altered.