Xivert Castle - A Journey Through the Historical Heights of Castelló

Hello everyone. I want to share our visit to the Castelló region, where Xivert Castle is located. We took a hike up to the castle perched atop a mountain. This castle once belonged to the Knights Templar, but the area had been inhabited long before their time.

We began our journey at this lovely little chapel near Alcalà de Xivert. It's a peaceful rest area, complete with spots for barbecuing. If you're ever in the area, you can visit the castle first and then enjoy a nice barbecue. The trail to the castle starts here, but we chose a slightly different path, hiking up the hill next to the chapel to reach the castle.

This region offers various tourist trails and as we walked, a group of cyclists passed by. Families were spending time together since the distance isn’t too long. Being the weekend many people were out hiking. The area is filled with olive trees, although last year the Costan region didn’t yield many olives. Some villages reportedly had none. However, the citrus situation seemed much better. The mandarins were ripe and some had already fallen to the ground.

We walked past mandarin orchards on our way to the castle. Along the route, we passed farmlands irrigated by drip systems. This region features small hills and the Costan mountains. As you move toward Aragon, the elevation increases. Looking to the side, we could see the Mediterranean Sea. The view of the sea against the backdrop of the hills and mountains was breathtaking.

As we approached Xivert Castle, the vegetation began to change. We passed through a path lined with shrubs. Some old farmland is no longer cultivated and has been overtaken by natural vegetation. We were now quite close to the castle. There’s also a parking area for those who drive, though the road is a bit rough.

Children were already climbing and resting in this area. The hike isn’t too challenging for kids. As we neared the castle entrance, I wanted to share some of its history with you.

This site has been known as a settlement since ancient times. Bronze Age artifacts have been discovered here. While details from later periods are scarce, the area was significant during the Moorish era, hosting a small town. At various times this town housed around 150–300 people. Later a castle was built atop the hill. During the Middle Ages, the castle was handed over to the Knights Templar, who rebuilt it into the structure we see today.

Much of it has deteriorated over time and some sections are completely ruined. Today the remaining structure is preserved in its current state. Settlements near Xivert Castle lasted until the Reconquista period. Afterward around 150.000 people were relocated from the Valencia region leaving many areas, including this castle and its surroundings, completely deserted. Since then there has been no permanent settlement here.

The castle with its impressive walls and vast grounds, is a remarkable structure. Over time its population fluctuated and at one point, it was home to hundreds of people. For its era it held the status of a town. Today, it is protected under Spanish heritage laws as a historic site. The castle spans approximately 8.000 square meters and its layout reveals various sections that reflect its storied past.

The views from the castle are amazing. Here, one can enjoy being surrounded by both history and nature. People once lived and worked here, likely facing challenges along the way. The castle, located for a long time in a border region, held strategic importance. However, over time, it lost that significance and gradually fell into decline. The people living in the area were eventually relocated to North Africa, marking the end of an era in this region.

Around the castle the mountains remain lush and green, offering an impressive landscape. We could see some tourists climbing the hills. While this isn't a well-known tourist spot, it's quite striking. Some parts of the area have been restored, but the interiors are not yet open to visitors. If the restoration is completed in the future, it may be possible to explore the interiors as well.

Inside Xivert Castle there's an area with a small cathedral. There are also several small structures, used for various purposes, but I'm not sure exactly what they were used for.

I climbed up to a balcony in the castle and the view from there was breathtaking. This castle is an interesting place, definitely worth visiting. The hiking trail is not very challenging but still quite impressive.

If you're looking to discover new places and immerse yourself in history, I highly recommend this region.