Historic Artistic Route

Map Peñíscola

LA PORTETA

The tour begins here, the ideal place to stop and briefly consider the etymology of the toponym Peñíscola, which first appears under the Greek name Chersonesos, which translates as "peninsula". Subsequently, under the Romans, the Greek Chersonesos became pene+iscola (that is to say, "almost island", owing to its rugged topography), the Latin form from which the present name is derived. During the Arabic rule, it was known as Banáskula, meaning rich in water, impregnable, surrounded by fields. As you will have noticed, the various names given to the settlement all relate to its topographical impregnability, in which its fresh water springs, which rise from the tombolo itself, have played a significant role. Due to its excellent natural conditions, the tombolo and its surroundings will have represented the ideal place for most of the civilisations and peoples who have settled here. The various peoples who have made this place their home have left behind a rich archaeological heritage, some of which can be seen on display at the Sea Museum. The site on which you are standing was once the original entrance into the city, as evidenced by the remains of the old city wall which can still be seen today, including its buttresses, a ring for mooring vessels and the Porteta itself; the gate to the old landing stage. The Puerta del Socorro also lies nearby, providing easy and direct access from the old gate to the Castle.

ARTILLERY DEPOT

Built by the military engineer Antonelli, this is a former military space where the Medieval and Renaissance walls meet. The structure is designed to form pointed angles, to make the fortress even more impregnable. Inside we find the exemplary construction of the magazine, built in 1748. Some years ago it was reconditioned as a botanical garden housing many native species from the Serra d' Irta Mountains. This beautiful garden offers breathtaking views.

PLAZA DE ARMAS (PARADE GROUND)

This square is the setting for Les Danses, which takes place every year on the 8th and 9th of September. It is an ancient folkloric display of processional dances expressing devotion to the patron saint of the city, the Mare de Dèu de l'Ermitana. The tradition dates back to the time when the fortress was reconquered by King James I, who restored the worship of the image of Mary, an offering from the Apostle Saint James (Santiago). Of particular note in the square are the stairs which lead up towards the Ermitana Church, a processional path followed by the participants (known as dansants) who make their way towards the temple in pairs, carrying one another on their shoulders.

LA VIRGEN DE LA ERMITANA CHURCH

This medieval shrine is highly revered by the local people. It is located next to the castle on the site of another religious building, which dated back to the 6th century. The sanctuary in its current form was completed between 1708 and 1714, at the behest of the governor of the time, Don Sancho de Echevarría. A stunning example of masonry, it features perfectly hewn ornaments, shields and mouldings. The design of the façade incorporates the bell tower to the gable end with an understated elegance rare in the Valencian Baroque style.

POPE LUNA'S CASTLE

The castle is situated on the highest point of the rock, with an elevation of 64 metres above sea level. It has a perimeter of around 230 metres and an average height of 20 metres. The Knights Templar built this Romanesque work on the remains of an old Arab citadel between 1294 and 1307. Similar in style to the castles erected by the knights in the Holy Land and Catalonia, particularly remarkable is its resemblance to Miravet Castle, built 150 years earlier. It underwent minor alterations under the rule of Benedict XIII, being transformed into a papal palace. The walls are of hewn stone masonry, while all of the rooms feature barrel vaults, some of which are pointed, rising up from extremely simple imposts consisting of an ornamental cordon. The doorways are wrought with arches with large, generous voussoirs. The sobriety and solidity of the construction stand out throughout, both in the Templar rooms and in the strategic and intricate papal chambers later fashioned by Benedict III (among which figured one of the best stocked libraries in the world). But perhaps the most interesting architectural element comes with the vaulting in the Guardroom and the austerity and strict proportion of the Templar Basilica. Used by Benedict XIII and Clement VIII as a Papal Basilica, the architectural features of the other rooms are topped off by a semicircular apse roofed with a shell-like half dome crowning the main arch and a small window in the centre of the apse allowing light to pour in. The Pope's remains lay in the Basilica for some time. The amendments made by Philip II to adapt the fortress for the use of artillery and the bombardments it underwent in various wars and sieges, did not substantially alter the structure of the castle, which was declared a National Historic Artistic Monument in 1931. In 1957 a ministerial order put the management of the castle into the hands of the Castellon Provincial Council, which oversaw the beginning of the process of restoring it.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

On your way out of the main gate of the Castle, the first thing that catches your eye is the lighthouse, a typical seafaring style building whose light is used to guide sailors at night. Its signal has a reach of 35 miles. Before the advent of electricity, it used to be lit using fires - hence the name of the nearest street, "Farons". The lighthouse is one of the most emblematic buildings in the film Calabuch, shot in Peñíscola in 1956 by Luis García Berlanga. The present building dates from 1892.

SEA MUSEUM

This small museum is housed in a former school building known as Les Costures (The Schools), which had previously been adapted in the 18th century for the installation of an artillery barracks. It is situated at the easternmost point of the promontory upon which the city of Peñíscola stands. The Sea Museum celebrates the maritime tradition of the people of Peñíscola, illustrating the city's seafaring ways, which have endured since the earliest settlements to the present day. It is divided into three sections: History and Archaeology, where you can delve into Peñíscola's seafaring roots; Fishing, where you will be introduced to fishing life through an exhaustive analysis of the evolution of crafts, fishing equipment, fishing areas and sailing; and the Marine Wildlife section, which allows you to learn more about the lifestyle and environment in which the large variety of species native to these seas prosper, thanks to the ecological diversity of its water and sea bed.