Castle of Peñíscola

The Castle of Peñíscola is one of the few constructions made by the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ of the Temple of Solomon (Order of the Temple) still standing in Europe. Its construction followed the Aragonese conquest of the area, on the remains of the Muslim alcazaba. A place that the Order of the Temple had to abandon a few years after completion, after Pope Clement V dissolved it. 

Since then, from 1307, the fortress went through periods of abandonment and occupation by the Order of the Montesa, who transformed the place. Between 1411 and 1423 it was the residence of the so-called “papa Luna” or Benedict XIII. The well-known “antipope” is one of the most controversial figures in Christianity and his persona led to the fortress also being known as the “Castle of Pope Luna”.

Besides its peculiar history, the fortress stands out for its typically Romanesque style, which has not been considerably altered despite the passage of time. The transformations occurred mainly between the 14th and 15th centuries, when rooms were expanded or created. Notable features include the church, the gothic hall, or the stables. All this has made it a chosen location for various film and series shootings, such as the Spanish series El Ministerio del Tiempo.

It is one of the nerve centres of Peñíscola, a town increasingly in demand and of tourist interest. A spectacular place perfectly integrated into the old town and which can be complemented with a visit to the Artillery Park, located next to the fort.