Xivert Castle

It is located along the south-western foothills of the Sierra de Irta. It is of Muslim origin, dating from the late 11th to early 12th centuries, but following the reconquest of the square by Christian forces under the command of the Knights Templar, it underwent subsequent modifications that can still be seen today. For example, the separation of the castle and the town by means of a wall, the imposing stonemasonry walls and twin circular towers.

The total constructed area, some 8,000 square meters, can be divided into three zones: the citadel, the enclosure occupying the summit of the complex, where the military political headquarters was located; the albacar, a walled enclosure where the population and their cattle took shelter in times of confrontation; and, finally, the aljama or hamlet, located on the south-eastern slope of the mountain and which was also walled.

It is in the castle itself where the main buildings are located: a keep, a Gothic chapel, twin towers, western tower, a Gothic cistern and a Kufic inscription on the outer wall, on the south south-east side. But it is only by completing a visit of the entire collection of buildings and structures that one can have a much broader vision of what everyday life was like in those times.

Also of special interest is the hydraulic network running between the Muslim houses and, in particular, the semi-underground cistern located next to the outer wall. Another noteworthy work is the stonemasonry cistern with a recessed vault, belonging to the Templar castle and located next to the citadel.

At present, efforts are being made to recover and evaluate the main structures, in addition to archaeological excavations which have made it possible to discover the remains of their first settlers.