Ruta de los Castillos del Vinalopó

The Route of the Castles of the Vinalopó is a historical and cultural itinerary of Spain1 2 3 by some of the most representative fortresses in the province of Alicante, most of them located in the Vinalopó Valley, in the Valencian Community. The route, which is located in the Vinalopó Valley, in the interior of the province of Alicante, reveals a series of castles and fortresses that protected them during the Middle Ages, as these populations, at some point in their history, border of the Crown of Aragon with the Crown of Castile. The Route has around 75 kilometers of route through nine different municipalities. It is located in one of the regions of the Valencian Community and Spain with the highest concentration of castles, which are found in various locations such as Villena, Biar, Bañeres, Castalla, Sax, Elda, Petrel, Monóvar or Novelda. The Vinalopó River is dotted with castles and fortifications. They are inheritance of the passage of the Arabs for their history. The Arab culture first, and then the Christian culture, left in these lands a heritage of undoubted architectural value. The Route of the Castles of the Vinalopó has the following itinerary, in order: Castle of the Watchtower, in Villena. Castillo de Bañeres, in Bañeres. Castle of Biar, in Biar. Castle of La Mola, in Novelda. Castle of Elda, in Elda. Palace of Altamira, in Elche. Castle of Castalla, in Castalla. Castle of Sax, in Sax. Castle of Monóvar, in Monóvar Castle of Petrel, in Petrel. Castle of the River, in Aspe. The Route step by step Villena: The largest of the castles on the route, the Atalaya Castle dates from the 11th or 12th century, it is of Almohad construction and dominates the city of Villena. It controlled the old border line between Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon, dominating the surrounding valleys. It is a key building in important episodes of the medieval history and throughout the warlike confrontations of the history of Spain. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. From its battlements you can see the remains of the Villenense Castillo de Salvatierra. Bañeres: The Castillo de Bañeres is a fortress of Almohad origin built in the XIII century that is located in the center of Bañeres at a height of 830 meters above sea level. Currently it also houses the Festero de Bañeres Museum (Museu Fester). Biar: The Castle of Biar rises on a hill from which it dominates the town of Biar and dates from the 12th century. It gained importance at the time of Jaime I, in what remains as a border castle according to the Treaty of Almizra. In its construction the Almohad ribbed vault was used, which, together with those of the neighboring castle of the Atalaya de Vilena, are some of the oldest in Spain, in addition to the only ones used in a military building throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Novelda: The Castle of La Mola is of Almohad origin, and was built in the 12th century on an old Roman fortification. It stands next to the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, about 4 kilometers from Novelda. Its tower is one of the first examples of civic-military building in the Valencian Community. Elda: The Castle of Elda is a fortress located on a small hill next to the river, built by the Almohads between 1172 and 1243, and which protected the community that would make up the Islamic Elda. The castle has been partially restored. Elche: The Palace of Altamira or Alcázar de la Señoría is located on the banks of the Vinalopó River, in the center of Elche. It was built at the end of the 15th century by the noble Gutierre de Cárdenas. However, it is likely that it was built on a previous work of the twelfth or thirteenth century, which would be part of the defenses of the Almohad walled town. It is currently restored and in good condition and houses the Archaeological and History Museum of Elche. Castalla: Castillo de Castalla is a fortress of Islamic origin built in the 11th century with later Christian reforms from the 14th to the 16th centuries. It is located on a hill that dominates the population and the course of the Verde River. Its state of conservation is good. Sax: The Castle of Sax rises to 524 msnm on a steep crag that dominates Sax and great part of the valley of the Vinalopó between Elda and Villena. The origin of the current fortress is Andalusian, probably Almohad. It was part of the defensive line of fortifications of the Vinalopó Valley. It is municipal property since 1980 and is currently completely restored. Petrel: Petrel Castle is located in a mountainous elevation located in the eastern part of the town of Petrel. From here you can see the entire Vinalopó Valley. Originally from the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, it is a Muslim castle. It is polygonal, it is crenellated and its interior is covered by an embankment. In its tower of the homage exhibitions are realized and it is Historical-Artistic Set of National Interest from 1983.