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Castillo y conjunto monumental de Játiva

Játiva, ES

Castillo y conjunto monumental de Játiva

This large hilltop fortification was first established by the Iberians, with the oldest section being the eastern side of the castle (''Castell Menor'', or 'Lower Castle'). After the Roman conquest, the original eastern section was expanded and a second fortress (''Castell Major'', or 'Upper Castle'

) was built to the west. Both castles were reinforced by the Moors, who also built the walls connecting the fort with the town below. After the Christian Reconquista further renovations were carried out, and the Upper Castle was used for a time as a jail for political prisoners. In the 18th century the castle suffered serious damage first during the Spanish War of Succession, and later from an earthquake in 1748, after which it fell into disuse. In the early 20th century a wealthy local businessman built, as a residence, a new section between the two castles, in the neo-Gothic style. This set of buildings now house a restaurant, exhibition hall, and visitor center.<p>Each castle affords great views of the city below, and of the mirroring castle. The walk up the (small) mountain is most scenic via the footpaths which pass by the ''Ermita de Sant Feliu'' and ''La Nevera'' (listed below). For those who don't want to walk there is also a tourist train which departs twice a day from the tourist office (summer: 12:30 and 17:30, winter: 12:30 and 16:30; €4.20), which winds its way through the town and uphill to the castle. Alternatively, a one-way taxi ride from the tourist office will co

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