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Culture and heritage
Come with us on a journey through history, culture and traditions
Peñíscola, the “town by the sea”, consists of fortified old quarters rising out of the sea to form almost an island of incredible beauty.
On the highest part of the outcrop of rock stands the castle: a watchtower and impregnable fortress, surrounded by city walls that were built over different periods, which protect the old city.
The medieval fortifications of the south and east faces were built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Saint Peter’s Gate (Portal de Sant Pere) was in its time, and up until the 18th century, a landing stage for Pope Luna, but for military reasons he later disposed of it. In the centre of this impressive example of masonry, which is in perfect condition, the coat of arms belonging to Pope Luna (and carved by Filibert Bertalla) can be seen. Just up from Saint Peter’s Gate is the Fountain’s Wall (Muralla de la Fuente), which was built between the 14th and 15th centuries, and comes to an end at Saint Anne’s battery (Batería de Santa Ana).
The Renaissance fortification was planned by J.B. Antonelli and built in the 16th century. It was an ambitious project that took in the Artillery Store and Saint Peter’s Gate, but it could not be finished and work abruptly came to an end at Saint Mary’s Bastion (Baluarte de Santa María). An ornamental cordon runs the length of the masonry walls, and watchtowers at each corner make Peñíscola an impregnable crag of rock, which is unique and has an unusual beauty.
The Renaissance style Dark Gate (Portal Fosc) was built by Juan de Herrera, and was the main entrance to the city until the 18th century. Above the gate a commemorative coat of arms belonging to Phillip II can still be seen.
A visit to Peñíscola means going back in time and losing onself in the Renaissance Middle Ages. The Artillery Store, which is currently a botanical garden for species native to the Sierra de Irta, is also the work of Antonelli and it is where military strategy can be clearly appreciated. It is a strong safe building, where the ramp, tunnels, arsenals, moats and city walls currently blend in with palm trees, olive trees and lavender bushes.
The third gate to the city is Saint Mary’s Gate, which was built in 1754 by order of Ferdinand VI to improve access to the city. Inside the gate is Les Escaseres Square, next to the Saint Anne's chapel. A visit to this less known chapel (which dates back to 1827 and is of great historical interest) is a must when strolling through the narrow streets of the old city.
Another of the sights within the old city walls of Peñíscola is the "bufador", a wide gap between the rocks through which the sea suddenly rises on stormy days.
On the highest part of the outcrop of rock stands the castle: a watchtower and impregnable fortress, surrounded by city walls that were built over different periods, which protect the old city.
The medieval fortifications of the south and east faces were built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Saint Peter’s Gate (Portal de Sant Pere) was in its time, and up until the 18th century, a landing stage for Pope Luna, but for military reasons he later disposed of it. In the centre of this impressive example of masonry, which is in perfect condition, the coat of arms belonging to Pope Luna (and carved by Filibert Bertalla) can be seen. Just up from Saint Peter’s Gate is the Fountain’s Wall (Muralla de la Fuente), which was built between the 14th and 15th centuries, and comes to an end at Saint Anne’s battery (Batería de Santa Ana).
The Renaissance fortification was planned by J.B. Antonelli and built in the 16th century. It was an ambitious project that took in the Artillery Store and Saint Peter’s Gate, but it could not be finished and work abruptly came to an end at Saint Mary’s Bastion (Baluarte de Santa María). An ornamental cordon runs the length of the masonry walls, and watchtowers at each corner make Peñíscola an impregnable crag of rock, which is unique and has an unusual beauty.
The Renaissance style Dark Gate (Portal Fosc) was built by Juan de Herrera, and was the main entrance to the city until the 18th century. Above the gate a commemorative coat of arms belonging to Phillip II can still be seen.
A visit to Peñíscola means going back in time and losing onself in the Renaissance Middle Ages. The Artillery Store, which is currently a botanical garden for species native to the Sierra de Irta, is also the work of Antonelli and it is where military strategy can be clearly appreciated. It is a strong safe building, where the ramp, tunnels, arsenals, moats and city walls currently blend in with palm trees, olive trees and lavender bushes.
The third gate to the city is Saint Mary’s Gate, which was built in 1754 by order of Ferdinand VI to improve access to the city. Inside the gate is Les Escaseres Square, next to the Saint Anne's chapel. A visit to this less known chapel (which dates back to 1827 and is of great historical interest) is a must when strolling through the narrow streets of the old city.
Another of the sights within the old city walls of Peñíscola is the "bufador", a wide gap between the rocks through which the sea suddenly rises on stormy days.
