Peniscola Information

Peñíscola is a tourist treasure o­n Costa Azahar, in the province of Castellón. It penetrates the turquoise blue Mediterranean o­n top of a crag which is tied to the coast by a narrow strip of sand. Because of this the Romans called it “Península”.

Magnificent, categorical and full of history, it rises almost 64 metres above the sea. Its solemnity is justified by it having been chosen to make “more pleasant” the voluntary exile of the charismatic Pope Luna.

The Phoenician, the Greek, the Carthaginian, the Byzantine and the Arabs appreciated the security of the town as a fortress. Under the name of Banáskula, the Muslims took over the castles of Cervera and Polpís, the farms of Beni ar-Rus (Vinaròs), Beni Gazló (Benicarló), Irta and even Peñíscola.

A fortified town in Visigoth times, James I the Conqueror conquered it in 1233.
In 1250 it was granted the “Carta Puebla” under the Valencian jurisdiction.

Around 1319 Peñíscola was changed to the Montesa Order and was given by usufruct to the cardinal Pedro Martínez Luna, who several years later would be paid tribute to as Benedixto XIII or Pope Luna.

The Pope of the Sea
The Western Schism with two Popes at the same time marked the history of the Roman Church. o­ne of them was Pope Luna, who replaced Avignon’s Pope Clemente VII and adopted the name of Benedixto XIII.

At the same time, a different Pope was settling in Rome with the support of the English, the Germans and the Italians. Having been disaffirmed by the Vatican, Pope Luna voluntarily exiled to Peñíscola in 1411, turning the castle into a pontifical palace and library.

Although Pope Luna was branded a heretic, he survived several poisoning attempts and died o­n May 23 1423 convinced he was the true Pope. 

Historical and artistic collection
Peñíscola’s fortress includes the castle and its walls. Its adaptation to the crag’s relief contributes to the legend about it having been an impenetrable fortress. The walls are divided into three different areas of architectural and military structures. There are fortifications from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and several modifications from the 18th century. The most interesting walls are those built under Philippe II between 1576 and 1578 by the Italian architect and engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli.

A town by the sea
Norte beach is Peñíscola’s main beach. It is approximately 5 km long and 44 m wide o­n average. There are sandy areas and some areas with rocks. The water is quiet and the beach is beautifully equipped. At the marina there are countless coffee shops, restaurants and shops. The southern coast is uneven and rocky. Minute beaches and cliffs forming coves are scattered throughout. They are ideal for scuba diving or for fishing with lines.