Castellnovo Castle

Castellnovo Castle, perched above the town of Castellnovo in the Alto Palancia region of Castellón province, in Spain's Valencian Community, ranks among the most layered fortresses of this corner of the Mediterranean coast. Built on the San Cristóbal hill, it preserves traces of Roman foundations, Islamic military architecture, and a later Renaissance transformation into a noble residence.

How to get there?

Castellnovo is a small inland town in Castellón province, reached most easily by car along local roads connecting the Alto Palancia valley with the coast. The fortress sits directly above the village on its hilltop, so visitors typically park in the town centre and continue on foot up a short, steep path to reach the castle gate.

What will you see?

The site's earliest structures are attributed to Roman builders, though the fortress took its defining shape in the 12th century, when Muslim engineers reworked it into a stronghold with the layout typical of Islamic military architecture. That chapter closed in 1228, when the forces of King Jaume I captured the castle during the Christian conquest of the region. Five years later, in 1233, the king granted it to the knight Berenguer de Entenza, who held the lordship until 1291. Ownership then passed, in the following century, to Guillem d'Esplugues.

The most decisive period in the castle's history came in the 15th century, when it passed into the hands of Beatriz de Borja, a member of the famous Borgia family. Under her ownership, between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the fortress underwent a thorough Renaissance remodeling: builders added the domes and machicolations — projecting galleries that allowed defenders to drop projectiles on attackers below — that still define its silhouette today, blending defensive function with residential grandeur.

In the 17th century, the estate passed to the Folch de Cardona family, and the barony of Castellnovo was elevated to a marquisate. A darker episode followed in the 19th century: in 1836, during the First Carlist War, the hill became the scene of a bloody clash between Liberal and Carlist forces fighting over the Spanish succession.

Today, the castle is entering a new chapter. In 2025, Spain's Ministry of Housing committed an investment of 700,000 euros to restoration and conservation works aimed at stabilising the walls and returning the monument to something closer to its historic condition.

When to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons, when temperatures in inland Castellón are milder than the height of summer. The hillside offers little shade, so a morning visit is advisable during the hottest months. Because restoration work is ongoing, it's worth checking current opening hours and which parts of the castle are accessible before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Castellnovo Castle? Its origins trace back to Roman times, but the fortress took its Islamic military form in the 12th century, before the Christian conquest of 1228.

Why is the castle linked to the Borgia family? In the 15th century, ownership passed to Beatriz de Borja, related to the Borgia family, and it was during her tenure that the castle received its Renaissance remodeling.

What happened at the castle in 1836? The hill was the site of a bloody battle between Liberal and Carlist forces during the First Carlist War.

Is the castle currently being restored? Yes — in 2025, Spain's Ministry of Housing invested 700,000 euros in conservation work on the fortress.