Peniscola Castle
Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 11
1 / 11
Why go
- The terrace looks north over Peñíscola and south toward the Irta mountains.
- The castle retains its Templar core, with papal quarters arranged within it.
- The papal basilica was used by Benedict XIII and Clement VIII.
Opening hours
Today09:30 – 21:30Show all
Don't miss
- Founders’ coats of armsThe arms of Bérenger de Cardona and Arnauld de Banyuls are carved above the entrance and chapel doorway.Castle entrance and chapel doorway
- Bronze statue of Benedict XIIIInstalled in 2007; sculpted by Sergio Blanco.Above the monument entrance2007
Know before you go
- Open Monday–Sunday, 09:30–21:30, except 6 January, 9 September, 9 October and 25 December.
- The restored castle is open to the public.
What's inside
- The lower level contained the guardroom, cistern, stables, cellar, prison and armoury.
- The upper level includes the papal palace, Commander’s Hall, Templar chapel, kitchens or baths, and a large courtyard.
Tips for your visit
- Tickets can be bought online through the castle’s website.
- The entrance is on the south side, between two towers, behind a small 16th-century bastion.
With kids
- Teaching guides are available for early-childhood, primary and secondary school levels.
Interesting facts3
-
The castle has a seven-sided plan enclosed within a square, with towers on five sides and larger towers to the north.
Château de Peñíscola - Wikipedia -
230 metres
Its perimeter is about 230 metres, and its walls average 20 metres high.
Castillo Palacio de Peñíscola - Wikipedia -
64 metres
The castle stands 64 metres above sea level.
Castillo Palacio de Peñíscola - Wikipedia
History
Benedict XIII made the castle his papal seat during a dispute over his legitimacy, turning it into a palace and papal library. Surviving holdings from that library are now mainly in the Vatican Library and the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris.
- 1st–2nd c. BCIbero-Roman remains found in the port indicate habitation in the area.
- Before 1294Al-Idrisi described Baniskula and a Moorish castle overlooking the sea.
- 1294James II of Aragon granted the castle to the Knights Templar.
- 1294–1307The Templars demolished the Muslim fortifications and rebuilt the castle. Bérenger de Cardona and Arnauld de Banyuls sponsored the work.
- 1317After the Templars were dissolved, the castle passed to the Order of Montesa.
Show all
- 1411–1423Benedict XIII settled here with his court and made the castle his papal residence.
- 1423–1429Clement VIII succeeded Benedict XIII and stayed at the castle until his abdication in 1429.
- 1578Giovanni Battista Antonelli’s defensive works against artillery and pirate attacks were completed.
- 1812–1814French forces occupied the town in 1812. A Spanish naval bombardment destroyed part of the castle in 1814.
Accessibility
- Accessibility details For details about step-free entry, lifts, toilets and parking, contact the castle on +34 964 48 00 21.
Sources: Peniscola Castle - Wikipedia · Peñiscola - Wikivoyage (see) · Castillo Peñíscola | Inicio · Castillo Peñíscola | Precios y Horarios · Castillo Palacio de Peñíscola - Wikipedia · Château de Peñíscola - Wikipedia · Castillo Peñíscola | · Castillo Peñíscola | Galeria · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +34 964 48 00 21
Questions and answers
What happened to the Templar dormitories at Peniscola Castle?
They were destroyed in 1814. A terrace now occupies the site of the sea-facing dormitory.
How did Peniscola Castle’s walls protect the approach?
Completed in 1578, the defensive walls protected the tombolo, the sole route to the rock.
Did the artillery upgrades change the layout of Peniscola Castle?
They did not substantially change the castle’s layout.
When was the military garrison at Peniscola Castle disbanded?
The garrison was disbanded in 1890.
What does “mantenerse en sus trece” have to do with Papa Luna at Peniscola Castle?
The expression is linked to Benedict XIII’s refusal to give up his claim to the papacy.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.