Castell de Margarida

Castell de Margarida is a medieval fortress overlooking the hamlet of Margarida, in the municipality of Planes, in the province of Alicante. Its ruins sit on a rocky spur in the upper reaches of the Cantacuc massif, at nearly 700 metres above sea level, making it one of the more demanding — but also more rewarding — hiking destinations in the Comtat district.

Where does the castle come from?

The fortress has Muslim origins and for centuries formed part of a defensive network controlling the valleys of the Comtat. Its fate is closely tied to the Christian conquest of the region: in 1245 the stronghold passed into the hands of King James I of Aragon. Earlier, on 4 April 1244, the Muslim leader Al-Azraq signed the so-called Pact of Pouet with Alfonso, James I's son, under which he retained control of this and other nearby castles for three more years. This kind of arrangement was typical of the period — a compromise between the new Christian authority and the former Muslim elites that allowed territory to change hands gradually rather than by force.

How did ownership of the castle change over time?

Once the agreement with Al-Azraq expired, the fortress passed through several hands, which illustrates how valuable the site was within the region's feudal balance of power. In May 1258 the castle became the hereditary property of Gil Ximénez de Segura. In 1276 the estate, including Margarida, passed to Teresa Gil de Vidaure and her son Jaime, lord of Xericá. A further change came in 1379, when King Peter IV granted the castles of Planes and Margarida in perpetuity to Doña Sibila. This chain of grants and inheritances shows how the fortress functioned as a piece of the Crown of Aragon's dynastic politics for well over a century.

What can visitors see today?

What survives of the old fortress is mainly the remains of the main square tower, standing at the top of the rocky spur, along with scattered fragments of the defensive walls. These are fairly typical ruins for the mountain castles of the Comtat — you'll need some imagination to reconstruct the original layout of the fortifications, but the setting itself, with sweeping views over the valley, more than makes up for the modest state of preservation.

How do you get to the castle?

The starting point is Planes, a small municipality in the Comtat district with good connections to the larger towns of Alicante province. From there, a footpath climbs the slope of Cantacuc to the site. Given the altitude and rocky terrain, it's worth planning the visit for a cooler part of the day and wearing proper hiking footwear.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the trail offers no shade or shelter, spring and autumn are the best seasons, when temperatures in the Comtat are milder than at the height of summer. Morning hours also give the best light for photography, bringing out the texture of the stone ruins nicely.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Planes itself is also known for its well-preserved medieval aqueduct, making it an appealing destination for a full day trip combining the history of water engineering and fortification in this part of Alicante.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive all the way to the castle? Not entirely — the road ends near Planes, and the final stretch up Cantacuc has to be covered on foot along a mountain trail.

How long does a visit take? Time at the ruins themselves is around 30–45 minutes, but allow 2–3 hours round trip if you're walking up from Planes.

Is there an entrance fee or an on-site guide? No, these are open, unmanaged ruins with no ticketing or tourist infrastructure — you explore them independently.

Is the castle suitable for children? Given the steep, rocky approach, it's better suited to older children used to mountain hikes.