THE CASTALLA CASTLE
The hill where the castle is settled was occupied during the prehistory (II BC) and the Iberian and Roman times (II BC. - V AD) In the 11th century, the Muslims erected the first fortification which became the administrative head of La Foia de Castalla.
After its pacific incorporation into the Aragon Crown in 1224 the castle became an important defence point on the frontier of Castilian Kingdom. The damages on it motivated King Pedro IV to hand over the castle to Ramón de Vilanova in 1362, with the purpose of ensuring its defence in view of possible assaults of the Castilians. From then on, and during the 15th century, the castle had important changes with the Palace and the Inner Ward planning and construction. The Palace, a domestic and military place, is the residence of the lord and a defensive instrument. On the other hand, the Inner Ward housed several domestic structures, as l'Aljub (water well), known as "the school of the moors". The construction of La Torre Grossa (The Big Tower), in 1579, was the last significant work produced during the Austria's rule to face the Berberisc pirates' incursions affecting the coast of Alicante.
The lost of military functions favoured the decline of the castle, which was used for other purposes, like food storage during Spanish Secession War in the 18th century. In 1813 was in ruins and became the silent witness of the people of Castalla and region. Arriving at the 20th century, between 1933 and 1935, the hill and the fortification were sacked by inhabitants looking for treasures. A new chapter of the castle's history began with the restoration of the castle and the cultural heritage located in the hill.
Muslims put up the first fortification, of which only the cistern remains, the most outstanding building of the Parade Ground with its three masonry arches. After incorporation into the Crown of Aragon in 1244, the Castle underwent constant modifications. The Palace, which housed the rooms of the feudal lord, and the Parade Ground, surrounded by two defensive walls, were built during the 15th century. 1579 saw the construction of the last important work: the Big Tower, also with a defensive role.
This is a must for your visit to Castalla. The Castle offers the best and most spectacular view of the Foia.
