Castle of Benifallim

Castle of Benifallim is a medieval fortress overlooking the small town of Benifallim, in the L'Alcoià region of Alicante province, at the foot of the Sierra del Rontonar. Perched above 370 metres, it commands sweeping views toward the castle of Cocentaina and nearby watchtowers — a lesser-known but still striking stop on the trail of medieval fortifications in inland Alicante.

What is the history behind the castle?

Benifallim began as a Muslim settlement, conquered in the mid-13th century by the forces of James I of Aragon. Following the conquest, Christian rulers built a fortress on the hilltop to guard the newly won territory and control the mountain routes running through L'Alcoià. In 1316, Bernat de Cruïlles became lord of the estate, and control of the castle later passed to the Castelló family and then to the Counts of Rótova. The fortress's fortunes changed dramatically after the expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain in the 17th century — the area became depopulated, and the castle lost its defensive and administrative role.

What can you see at the site today?

The original castle layout consisted of two main elements: a square tower and an adjoining courtyard enclosed by walls. Over the centuries the structure went through several rebuilding phases, visible today in the differing masonry techniques across sections of the remaining walls. Visitors can now see the surviving fortification walls and the outline of the tower, still clearly visible from the road leading into Benifallim. Thanks to its elevated, strategic position, the ruins offer views of the neighbouring castle of Cocentaina and the watchtowers of Penella and Sena — part of a defensive network that once controlled the whole region.

How do you get there, and when is the best time to visit?

Benifallim sits in the mountainous part of Alicante province, in the L'Alcoià region, and is best reached by car — the town lies within easy reach of Alcoy and Cocentaina, the main hubs of this part of the Valencia region. A path from the edge of the village leads up to the castle, and the climb to the top takes only a few minutes. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, since summers can get hot in these hills and winter brings cold, windy conditions on the higher ground. Sturdy footwear is worth packing, as the terrain is uneven and rocky.

What should you know before visiting?

This is not a restored tourist attraction with ticket booths and visitor infrastructure — it's an authentic, partially preserved ruin that can be explored freely and at no cost. For history and military-architecture enthusiasts, it's a chance to see a small but well-situated border fortress, built during the turbulent period of the Christian reconquest of the Valencia region.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the castle? No, the ruins are freely accessible with no tickets or fixed opening hours — it's a small site with no tourist infrastructure.

How long does a visit take? Walking around the ruins and tower takes about 20–30 minutes, but allow extra time for the approach path and for taking in the mountain views.

Can you see other castles from here? Yes — the castle of Cocentaina is visible from Benifallim, and the L'Alcoià region also has a network of watchtowers, such as Penella and Sena, that once formed part of the same defensive system.

Is the castle well signposted? The site has limited tourist infrastructure — there are no information panels on the scale found at larger castles, so it's worth checking the approach route beforehand.