Castle of Alfàndec

Castle of Alfàndec in Benifairó de la Valldigna is a ruined hilltop fortress perched on an almost inaccessible crag above the Valldigna valley in Valencia province. Locals also know it as Marinyén Castle or the Castle of the Reina Mora — the Moorish Queen — after a legend of a ruler who threw herself from its walls.

How do you get to the castle?

The stronghold sits at 240 metres, wedged between the Barranco del Castell and the Barranco del Raboser ravines, which kept it nearly unreachable for centuries. The town of Benifairó de la Valldigna, together with the local Centre Excursioniste de Tavernes hiking association, has since marked out a zigzagging trail to the summit. The climb takes roughly 15 minutes and needs no special preparation, though sturdy footwear is worth packing — the final stretch runs over steep, rocky ground.

What will you see there?

Two rings of fortification survive at the site. The older enclosure dates from the period of Islamic rule (12th–13th centuries), while the second was added later under Christian control. The entrance is the Albacar gate, closed with a distinctive flat masonry arch. Inside the walls stands a 14th-century Gothic chapel roofed with ribbed vaulting cut from ashlar stone — one of the best-preserved features of the whole complex. Nearby are two water cisterns, one rectangular and one square, a reminder of how carefully a garrison had to plan for a long siege on a waterless crag.

The hill itself was inhabited as far back as the Bronze Age, and archaeological digs have turned up Roman coins as well as a small hoard of coins from the reign of James II of Aragon — layers of history stacked on the same outcrop.

What is the history behind the fortress?

The castle was built in the late 11th century as an Arab stronghold. Chronicles from the era of El Cid describe it as "castrum sarracenum in monte magno" — a Saracen fortress on a great mountain — acting as the defensive and tax-collecting centre for the inhabitants of the Alfàndec valley, known today as the Valldigna.

After the Christian conquest, the surrounding lands, including Benifairó, were granted in 1249 by King James I to the knights Ferrer Matoses and Domingo de Teylla. In 1298, James II handed the estate over to the newly founded Monastery of Santa María de la Valldigna, whose Cistercian monks held lordship over the area until the 19th century. It was these monks, based nearby in Simat de la Valldigna, who carried out the castle's Christian-era rebuilding and occasionally used it as a refuge.

The fortress played a defensive role during the War of the Union between the Crown of Aragon and Castile in the 14th century. It was finally abandoned after the expulsion of the Moriscos in the early 17th century and has stood in ruins ever since.

The castle once administered a network of nearby settlements: Massalalí, Alcudiola, Ràfol, Alfulell, l'Ombria, la Xara, Simat, Benifairó and Tavernes. Of these nine, only the last three survive today.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the approach is steep and largely unshaded, spring and autumn are the best seasons, offering mild temperatures and especially clear views over the Valldigna valley and the nearby coast. Summer heat in this part of Valencia can be intense, particularly on a trail with little shelter.

Frequently asked questions

Is the climb to the castle difficult? The trail is marked and zigzags up the hillside, though the final stretch is steep and rocky. Anyone in average physical condition can manage it in about 15 minutes.

Where does the name "Reina Mora Castle" come from? It comes from a local legend about a Moorish queen said to have thrown herself from the castle walls — a nickname used alongside the official names "Alfàndec" and "Marinyén."

Is there an entrance fee? The castle is an open, unguarded archaeological ruin, freely accessible year-round with no fee and no set opening hours.

Is it suitable for children? Given the steep and in places unprotected approach, the hike is best suited to older children and physically fit visitors.