Peniscola Castle

Peníscola is primarily known for its ancient castle. Templars, Freemasons, the Pope, "Game of Thrones" - it's all about Peníscola Castle!! In addition, its various terraces offer stunning sea views. It is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Spain.

In the spring of 711, the forces of Al-Andalus (the so-called Muslim Spain - the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula) crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. They reached Peniscola by 718. There, on a strategically important cliff facing the sea, they built a citadel. But the Arab period was later overshadowed by the arrival of new inhabitants to the castle.

In the thirteenth century, the Christian kingdoms of the northern part of the peninsula continued their attempts to ‘regain’ the territories of Al-Andalus. It was the turn of Valencia, led by the King of Aragon. In 1233, James I conquered new territories, creating the Kingdom of Valencia, and Peniscola became part of the kingdom. His heir, James II, handed the castle over to the Templars in 1294. This mysterious order of the Knights Templar transformed the ancient Arab citadel into an impressive Christian castle between 1294 and 1307. The Order was on the verge of extinction. In this last stage, aware of their weakness, they must have built it with the idea that it would become their last refuge.

In 1319, the castle passed into the hands of the religious and military order of Montezee.

But why do they .... call it Papa Luna's Castle?

Actually, these walls gave shelter to Benedict XIII "Pope Luna" who spent his last years in this fortress between 1411 and 1423. But first things first.

Whether you know about the Western Schism or the Papal Schism, it is a schism in the Roman Catholic Church (1378-1417), at the end of which three men at once considered themselves legitimate Popes. It all started when Pope Gregory XI decided to move the seat of the Holy See from Avignon to Rome.

After the Pope's death, the first-ever conclave gathered in the castle of St. Angelus. The population of Rome wanted the new Pope to be Roman, or at least Italian (this is French). Eventually, a compromise was found and a 60-year-old pope was elected, who took the name Urban VI. He was Italian, but he served in the Kingdom of Naples, which was ruled by a French dynasty.

Unfortunately, after six months of the new pope's rule, almost everyone was dissatisfied with him. 16 cardinals gathered and announced a manifesto in which they declared the election of the Pope invalid and the Pope himself mentally ill. They elected a new pope, who took the name of Clement VIII and later returned to Avignon.

Two lines of succession to the Holy See were created: the Roman and the Avignon. Pedro Martínez de Luna succeeded Pope (antipope) Clement VII and took the name Benedict XIII. The Vatican faction regained control and ended the schism in 1417 with the appointment of Martin V. The new pope excommunicated Pope Luna, who had moved to the castle of Peniscola in 1411. He remained here until he died in 1423, alone, abandoned and declared a heretic.

Now that you've heard the story, let's go see the castle. It is said that you can still see the ghost of the Pope here, but my friend and I were not lucky enough to meet him. Maybe you will be lucky?

The castle and its fortifications are located on top of a hill at the edge of a peninsula facing the sea. On all other sides, the castle walls are closely adjacent to the snow-white houses of the old town.

Parade Ground

Castle interiors

The castle has many rooms for different purposes. There are spacious stables, rooms for guardsmen, and a cistern, pontifical rooms, library, main chamber, a church and a gothic hall.

BTW. They have a free audio guide accessible from you Android or IOS.

The view from the roof is fascinating!

It definitely worth the ascent (which is not hard).

National Geodetic Peak sign.

This place gives you a feeling of endless space and freedom. An incredible place.

Some passages are very narrow, like these stairs.

The Peniscola Port and the bay.

It is said that a century ago, the narrow strip of land connecting the castle to the old town of Peniscola was submerged along with the old town. The castle ended up on an island.