Home .::. Peņiscola

To find the origins of Peņiscola, we must look to ancient times. Archeological sites in the area contain remains from an Iberian tribe known as the Ilercavones dating back to the 17th century BC. After this, it became a Phoenician or Carthaginian settlement and then later a Greek colony. Tradition also has it that Hannibal lived here for several years. The fall of Carthage brought Roman domination and with it the name Peniscola (almost an island). Under Moorish rule, it became an important fortified port (Banasqula or Banasquila) which Jaime I attempted to take over in 1225, but he didn’t achieve it. It wasn’t until 1233, after the fall of Borriana, that Peņiscola surrendered in return for fair treatment of the inhabitants. It was granted carta puebla or royal statute under the jurisdiction of Valencia in 1250.

 
Initially granted to the Moncada family, the fortress belonged to the Order of the Templars from 1294, at which time the construction of the present-day castle began on the ruins of the Arab site. This construction followed the example of the Templar fortifications in the Holy Land. After the dissolution of this order, in 1319 it passed into the hands of the Montesa Order, who also made significant additions to the building of the fortress. In 1329 Peņiscola commanded an encomienda (a feudal power) and the priorate of San Jaime was created in its castle.

As a result of the Western Schism, when Pope Clemente VII died (1394), Pedro de Luna from Aragon was named Pope (Benedicto XIII). He lived in Peņiscola form 1411 to 1423 (the grand master of the Montesa Order donated the castle to him). There, he attracted a splendid Court and ordered new building on the fortress, such as the tower of the moon pope. His successor, Clemente VIII, remained in Peņiscola until his abdication in 1429. During the wars known as ‘las guerras de Germanías’, it became the seat of the forces loyal to the king led by the viceroy Diego Hurtado de Mendoza. These forces resisted the siege of 1521.

Felipe II ordered the military engineer Antonelli to construct new fortifications adapted to the artillery, so that it would serve as a bastion against the Berber Pirates.
During the Spanish War of Succession, the city supported Felipe V and resisted the siege of the English forces under Archduke Carlos in 1705 and 1707. During this period, the castle was reinforced and new building added.
During the War of Independence, it was taken over by the French forces under General Severoli. Then, in 1814 it was recaptured by General Elio following a heavy bombardment.
 

As we can see, Peņiscola has played an important role throughout its near 2700 year history. It is a fortress that has been coveted by all the peoples who have arrived on the Iberian Peninsula, thanks to its extraordinary natural conditions (it is strategically located on a rocky promontory surrounded by the sea, except for one sandy side, and has abundant freshwater springs). The mere fact of coming here to discover its past will help you to understand its present.
 

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