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Castell De Xativa — Aerial view of the castle walls and towers along the wooded ridgePhoto: Manuel pino · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited

Castell De Xativa

Castles & palaces ·Xàtiva ·Closed
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#1Things to do in XàtivaMost reviewed in XàtivaTravelers' Choice 2025

Open today 10:00–14:30

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About

Castell de Xàtiva is a twin fortress above Xàtiva, with Castell Menor to the east and Castell Major to the west.

More photos 11

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Castell De Xativa — Stone ramparts and stairway crossing the Castell Menor hillside Mike1979 Russia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Castell De Xativa — Stone ramparts and stairway crossing the Castell Menor hillsideCastell De Xativa — Castle walls and towers above the steep wooded valleyCastell De Xativa — Castle terraces and garden fountain overlooking the surrounding hillsCastell De Xativa — Castell Menor tower and defensive walls above tiled rooftopsCastell De Xativa — Castell Major towers and stepped walls on the rocky slopeCastell De Xativa — Upper castle tower and ramparts seen from the rocky pathCastell De Xativa — Stone keep rising above the castle's wooded outer wallsCastell De Xativa — Long castle walls and towers above the pale rocky hillsideCastell De Xativa — Exterior walls and projecting balcony beside the Socors gateCastell De Xativa — Crenellated castle residence partly framed by treesCastell De Xativa — Arched stone balcony opening toward the castle grounds

Why go

  • Views from both castles across Xàtiva and towards each other, with the Bixquert valley visible east from Castell Menor.

Plan your visit

Opening times

De octubre a mayo · now10:00–14:30

From the venue's website · checked 19 Oct 2026

Don't miss

  • Castell MajorThe fortress’s largest and best-preserved section.Western part of the twin fortress.
  • Roman cisternsFour cisterns restored in mediaeval times and later used for livestock; now open to visitors.The castle.
  • Gothic chapelCommissioned by Queen María of Castile; it holds Jaume d’Urgell’s remains.Castell Major.15th century
  • Square watchtowerIts base contains Roman masonry.At a corner of the castle wall.
  • Porta FerrissaThe main entrance, near the site of the original gate.Main entrance.

Know before you go

  • Open Tuesday–Sunday. From 1 October to 31 May: 10:00–14:30; outside that period: 10:00–21:00.

What's inside

  • Plaza de Armas is the central courtyard between Castell Menor and Castell Major. The newer section houses a restaurant, exhibition hall and visitor centre.

Tips for your visit

  • For a scenic approach on foot, follow the uphill paths past Ermita de Sant Feliu and La Nevera.

Interesting facts3

1/3

  1. The fortress commanded the Via Augusta Roman road.

    Castell de Xàtiva - Xàtiva Tourist

  2. A square tower at a wall corner served as a watchtower and has Roman masonry at its base.

    Castell de Xàtiva - Xàtiva Tourist

  3. The fortress is the highest point of the defensive walls around early mediaeval Xàtiva.

    Castell de Xàtiva - Xàtiva Tourist

History

The fortress featured in Hannibal’s campaigns. Following the Roman conquest, the eastern fort was expanded and an Upper Castle built to the west. Moorish rulers reinforced both castles and linked them to the town with walls. After Jaume I’s Christian conquest, Castell Major became the main stronghold on the road between Castile and the Kingdom of Valencia’s capital.

  1. 10th c.The second gate at Castell Menor was built.
  2. UndatedThe fortress figured in the Kingdom of Valencia’s wars against Castile and the Revolt of the Brotherhoods.
  3. War of the Spanish SuccessionThe castle was badly damaged during the war.
  4. 1748An earthquake badly damaged the castle, which later fell into disuse.
  5. 1813The retreating French army blew up the earlier Porta Forana.

How to get there

  • On footAddress: Carretera del Castell, Xàtiva.
  • TrainTake the tourist train from the tourist office through town and uphill to the castle.
  • BoatTake a one-way taxi from the tourist office to the castle.

Sources: Serra del Castell (Xàtiva) - Wikipedia · Xàtiva - Wikivoyage (see) · Castell de Xàtiva - Xàtiva Tourist · Castell De Xativa: booking (its own site) · Castell De Xativa: seasons, description (its ow… · checked 11 Oct 2026

Where
Subida Al Castillo, S/N, Xativa

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Which is the oldest part of Castell de Xàtiva?

Castell Menor, on the slopes of Penya Roja, dates to Iberian and Roman times.

Where is the main entrance to Castell de Xàtiva?

Porta Ferrissa, near the site of the original gate.

Was Castell de Xàtiva used as a prison?

After the Reconquista, Castell Major served for a time as a political prison, and the fortress held notable captives.

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