Torre de Mal Paso

Torre de Mal Paso is a stone watchtower standing on a hill near Castellnovo, in the Alto Palancia region of Castellón province, Spain. Listed as a cultural heritage site, it is one of the more intriguing yet lesser-known landmarks of this part of the Valencian Community.

Where is the tower located?

The structure sits roughly a mile and a half northwest of Castellnovo, along the old road that once connected the village with neighboring Segorbe. It is visible from the village center, making it a handy landmark for anyone exploring the area on foot. A well-kept trail starts near the historic road and leads up to the site — an easy walk that does not require special preparation.

What can you actually see there?

Only the base of the tower survives today; the upper sections were lost to time and weathering. What remains shows a circular floor plan, built from roughly hewn masonry with no decorative elements. One curious detail is the ground-level doorway, facing south — an unusual choice for a defensive structure, since such towers typically had raised entrances that were harder for attackers to reach.

Around the tower lie traces of a much older Iberian-Roman settlement: the outlines of former walls, scattered pottery fragments on the surface, and two earthen mounds that researchers believe may be the remains of larger, square-shaped towers, first documented during excavations carried out in 1946. Based on the building materials used, Torre de Mal Paso itself is thought to date from the late Roman or early medieval period, and some of its stone may have been reused from the earlier settlement nearby.

What is the history behind the site?

The hill and its surroundings have been inhabited for a very long time. In a nearby cave known as the Cueva de la Torre del Mal Paso, archaeologists have found burials dating back to the Neolithic period, along with stratified graves from the Iberian era. Evidence of continued use of the area spans several periods, from Romanized Iberian communities through to the late Western Roman Empire. The cave's excavated materials were revisited by researchers decades after the original findings were published, with later studies focusing on how the site was used during the Iberian Iron Age, mainly between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC.

The tower itself functioned as a lookout post with defensive features — a classic example of a watchtower positioned to oversee movement along the route between Castellnovo and Segorbe, as well as the surrounding valley.

Why is it worth a visit?

Torre de Mal Paso appeals to travelers who enjoy pairing a short hike with a glimpse into layered history — from prehistoric burials through the Iberian and Roman periods to the medieval era. The site appears on local tourist routes in the Castellón region, including cycling itineraries that pass through Castellnovo, so it can easily be combined with other stops on a longer day out in Alto Palancia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Torre de Mal Paso? Castellnovo is the best starting point. From there, a marked trail begins near the old road to Segorbe and leads to the hill, about a mile and a half from the village center.

What has actually survived of the tower? Only the lower part remains — a circular stone base without ornamentation. The upper structure did not survive to the present day.

How old is the tower? Based on its construction materials, researchers place it in the late Roman or early medieval period, though the exact building date is unknown.

Are there other archaeological remains nearby? Yes. Traces of an Iberian-Roman settlement surround the tower, and the nearby Cueva de la Torre del Mal Paso has yielded Neolithic burials as well as materials from the Iberian Iron Age.